Full Screens Apps Mode in iPadOS 26

Introduction

With iPadOS 26, Apple introduced a new way to use your apps: Full Screen Apps mode. This feature takes advantage of the iPad’s large display to keep your focus on one app at a time while still giving you quick ways to switch between apps and manage windows. It’s designed to make your iPad keep the iPad simple.

Set the iPad for Full Screen Apps

To begin, you’ll want to check that your iPad is set to use Full Screen Apps mode. In Settings, under Home Screen & Multitasking, you’ll find the option to set your multitasking style. Choosing Full Screen Apps ensures each app uses the entire screen, eliminating distractions and giving you a cleaner workspace. This setup is especially helpful if you prefer focusing on one task at a time.

Understanding Spaces

When you open an app in Full Screen mode, the iPad creates a separate Space for it. Think of a Space as its own desktop, dedicated to a single app. Each app gets its own Space, which keeps things organized and prevents overlapping windows. This makes it easier to stay focused while still being able to move quickly between tasks.

Switching Between Apps (or Spaces)

If you want to switch from one app to another, you can use familiar gestures. Swiping left or right with four fingerson the screen moves you between Spaces. This gesture feels natural and makes multitasking smoother, letting you jump between apps without having to return to the Home Screen each time.

View and Switch Between Open Apps

Another way to see what’s open is by using the App Switcher. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle. This view shows all your open Spaces as thumbnails, making it easy to tap on the one you want. The App Switcher is also a handy place to manage apps you no longer need open.

Force Quit Apps

From the App Switcher, you can also force quit apps that aren’t responding or that you no longer want running in the background. Simply swipe up on the app’s thumbnail to close it. While you don’t need to force quit often, it can solve small glitches and free up memory when an app is misbehaving.

Manage App Windows

Even in Full Screen mode, you can manage multiple windows for the same app. Some apps, like Safari, allow you to open several windows. These windows each get their own Space, and you can switch between them just like switching between apps. This is useful if you like to separate tasks—for example, having one Safari window for work and another for personal browsing.

Full Screen App Settings

The iPad gives you extra control over how Full Screen Apps work. In Settings, you can adjust whether apps always open in full screen, how gestures behave, and how multiple windows are handled. These options help you fine-tune the experience to match your workflow.

Gesture Settings

Gestures are an important part of navigating in Full Screen mode. In the Settings app, under Gestures, you can turn on or off features like swiping with multiple fingers to switch apps or return to the Home Screen. Adjusting these ensures the iPad feels comfortable to use, depending on whether you like using gestures or prefer buttons.

Productivity Gestures

Apple also added a few productivity-focused gestures. For instance, you can pinch with four fingers to quickly return to the Home Screen or swipe left or right to move between apps. These small shortcuts help you save time and keep your hands on the screen instead of reaching for buttons.

Shake to Undo

One of the lesser-known gestures is Shake to Undo. If you make a mistake, like deleting text, shaking your iPad will bring up the option to undo your action. It’s a quick way to fix small errors without hunting for buttons.

Swipe from Corner

Another handy gesture is Swipe from Corner. By swiping in from the lower corner of the screen, you can quickly create a Quick Note or capture a screenshot, depending on how it’s set in Settings. This gesture makes it easy to capture information without breaking your flow.

Wrap Up

The new Full Screen Apps mode in iPadOS 26 makes multitasking cleaner and more powerful. With Spaces, improved gestures, and settings that let you control how apps open and behave, the iPad becomes a more flexible tool for both work and play. Whether you’re focusing on one app or managing several at once, these features give you more control and a smoother experience.