These are the gestures you use on all iPad models to go to the Home Screen, switch between recent apps, access controls, and more. A few gestures are done differently on an iPad with a Home button. If you’re using Magic Trackpad or Magic Mouse, there are gestures that work on your trackpad or mouse, too.
They let you go Home, quickly access controls, open Exposé, switch between open apps, open the Dock within an app, use Siri, use Accessibility Shortcut, take a screenshot, turn off iPad, and force restart it.
| Gesture | Description |
|---|---|
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Go Home. Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen to return to the Home Screen at any time. See Open an app. |
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Quickly access controls. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center; touch and hold a control to reveal more options. To add or remove controls, go to the Settings app, then tap Control Center. See Use and customize Control Center. |
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Open Exposé. Swipe up from the bottom edge, pause in the center of the screen, then lift your finger. To browse the open apps, swipe right, then tap the app you want to use. See Switch between apps. |
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Switch between open apps. Swipe left or right along the bottom edge of the screen to quickly switch between open apps. (On an iPad with a Home button, swipe with a slight arc.) See Switch between apps. |
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Open the Dock within an app. Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and pause to reveal the Dock. To quickly open another app, tap it in the Dock. See Open an app from the Dock. |
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Use Siri. Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri.” Or press and hold the top button while you ask a question or make a request. (On an iPad with a Home button, press and hold the Home button while you make a request.) See Learn how to use Siri. |
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Use Accessibility Shortcut. Triple-click the top button. (On an iPad with a Home button, triple-click the Home button.) See Quickly turn accessibility features on or off. |
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Take a screenshot. Simultaneously press and quickly release the top button and either volume button. (On an iPad with a Home button, simultaneously press and quickly release the top button and the Home button.) See Take a screenshot. |
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Turn off. Simultaneously press and hold the top button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the top slider to power off. (On an iPad with a Home button, press and hold the top button until the sliders appear.) Or go to the Settings app, tap General, then tap Shut Down. See Turn iPad off (models with the Home button). |
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Force restart. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest the top button, press and quickly release the other volume button, then press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. On iPad mini (6th generation) and iPad mini (A17 Pro), the volume buttons are at the top left. See Force restart iPad. |
Using a Magic Trackpad or Magic Mouse? Read our guide, use trackpad gestures for iPad, or our article, Mouse actions and gestures for iPad, for gestures that work with it.
See also
Tag: Setup
