Multitask with Stage Manager

Introduction

The iPad has always been known for its clean, simple interface, but as Apple continues to add more powerful features, it’s becoming a serious productivity tool. One of the biggest updates is Stage Manager, a multitasking feature that lets you work with apps in windows, group them together, and switch between different sets of apps with ease. Instead of treating your iPad like a single-task device, Stage Manager transforms it into something closer to a Mac—without losing the simplicity of touch gestures.

Turn Stage Manager On

To get started, you’ll need to turn on Stage Manager. Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen and tap the Stage Manager icon. Once enabled, your iPad shifts into a new mode: apps now open in resizable, movable windows rather than taking over the entire screen. This means you can finally organize your workspace in a way that makes sense for you.

Add Windowed Apps Video

Stage Manager relies heavily on the windowing system introduced in iPadOS. If you want to dig deeper into how resizing, moving, and arranging app windows works, I recommend checking out the related Windowed Apps video. That video covers the finer points of how apps behave in this new system.

Turn a Full Screen App into a Window

If you’re used to working with apps in full screen, don’t worry—you don’t need to start from scratch. With Stage Manager on, any full screen app can be turned into a window. Simply drag it or open another app alongside it. This makes it easy to move from a single-task setup to a multi-app workspace in seconds.

Recent Apps (Stages)

One of the best parts of Stage Manager is the concept of Recent Apps, also known as Stages. Along the left side of your screen, you’ll see thumbnails of your recent workspaces. Each stage can hold one or more apps grouped together. Instead of constantly opening and closing apps, you just tap a stage preview to return to your work. It’s like having multiple virtual desktops but built for touch.

Group Apps Together

Stage Manager also allows you to group apps together. This means you can set up dedicated workspaces for specific tasks. For example, you might keep Safari and Notes grouped for research, or Mail and Calendar grouped for scheduling. Once grouped, they stay together as a stage, so you can switch between projects without losing your place. This kind of setup saves time and helps keep your workflow organized.

Show or Hide Recent Apps (Stages)

If you like to keep things uncluttered, you can hide the Recent Apps column on the left. This gives you more screen space for your current apps. When you want to switch back, you can easily bring the column up again. This flexibility lets you decide when you want a clean workspace and when you want easy multitasking.

Reveal Menu Bar

Stage Manager also brings the menu bar into play, something that feels more like using a Mac. Some apps show additional controls in this menu bar, so being able to reveal it quickly gives you more functionality without digging into hidden menus. For people who rely on apps with advanced tools, this is a big improvement.

Swiping

Gestures are central to making Stage Manager work smoothly. With a few simple swipes, you can switch between stages, reveal the Dock, or pull up the menu bar. This gesture-based navigation keeps multitasking fast and fluid without adding a lot of extra buttons or controls.

Productivity Gestures

Beyond swiping, Stage Manager supports additional productivity gestures:

• Shake to Undo: If you make a mistake, simply shake your iPad to undo it.
• Swipe from a Corner: This gesture can open Quick Notes or other shortcuts, giving you fast access to tools without leaving your current app.

These small touches make the iPad feel more responsive and adaptable to how you work.

Window Controls

Every app window in Stage Manager comes with its own controls. You can resize a window to make it bigger or smaller, move it around the screen, or close it when you’re done. You can also minimize a window, which tucks it away while keeping it ready to use later. These controls put you in charge of your workspace instead of locking you into fixed layouts.

Add Windowed Apps Video Reminder

Because Stage Manager and windowed apps are so closely connected, it’s worth watching the Windowed Apps videoalongside this one. It will help you get comfortable with resizing, arranging, and managing multiple windows so you can take full advantage of Stage Manager.

Wrap Up

Stage Manager is one of the most powerful tools Apple has added to the iPad. By combining windowed apps, grouped stages, menu bar controls, and intuitive gestures, it makes multitasking far more capable than before. Whether you’re working on multiple projects, managing communication and scheduling, or just want more flexibility, Stage Manager can transform the way you use your iPad. It bridges the gap between the simplicity of a tablet and the productivity of a computer.