So, you bought an iPad recently. Now you want to know everything about it and learn a few tips, apply a few tricks. You are probably trying to figure out how everything works and fits into place. You even asked a few of your buddies about some iPad tips. You want to learn even more iPad tips. This is exactly the place you should be.
Apple has made their range of iPads ridiculously simple to use. We have even seen 2 year olds work effortlessly on an iPad. However, it doesn’t mean there aren’t some tips to be learned and tricks to be used to get the most of your brand new iPad. We have collected 60 iPad Tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your iPad experience. These iPad tips range from amateur to advanced. These iPad tips and hints are definitely something you should be aware of.
1. Connect to an HD TV
With the help of Apple’s new Digital AV Adapter you can connect your iPad 2 to your HD television to enjoy not only the movies but also the full home screen. You can also use a plain old Apple VGA adapter and both of these are available at Apple store.
2. AirPlay
Airplay was first limited to iDevices but then extended to other devices considering the plethora of cool gadgets available from Apple. The AirPlay feature on your iPad helps you to stream media on your Apple TV from your iPad by just a single click on rectangular AirPlay icon.
3. iPad Screen Shot
Screen shot is the most used feature by bloggers/reviewers and on iPad this can be done simply by pressing Home and then the Sleep/Wake button. A click sound confirms that the photo has been taken and saved automatically in photo-gallery for later viewing or mailing.
4. Add Google Calendar
If you want to synchronize your Google calender with your iPad you can simply go to Settings> Mail> Contacts, Calendars. Once in the calenders window all you need to do is add an account and tap on other. After this, Tap on Add CalDAV Account and enter your Google Account credentials ( Server: www.google.com) and you’re done.
5. Find My iPad
You can set this feature on your iPad for free by navigating to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars and then tapping the Add Account button, once you’re there select MobileMe. Next, enter your iTunes or MobileMe account details. If you don’t have one, you can alternatively tap on Create Free Apple ID and therefrom after confirmation through mail you need to return back to MobileMe screen and switch on the Find My iPad.
You can verify and keep track of your iPad now by signing into me.com or alternatively download Find My iPad from Apple store.
6. Create folders
Just like iPhone, iPad now supports folders for better management and access. Adding a folder is simple and all you need to do is hold on any App icon until they all start to wobble, when this occurs swipe the app on another app and the two apps will merge together into a folder. The newly created folder will be named on the basis of the apps it contains but you can always rename it.
7. Access or Close All Running Apps
To see and access which apps are currently running your iPad, press and hold the home button and the list will appear as a bar near the bottom. You can click on any of them to resume the app or alternatively you can hold onto any icon until the icons start jiggling. After this you can close individual running apps tapping on their separate close buttons. This is a nice little iPad tip.
8. Erase if Tampered
If you carry too much sensitive data in your iPad and have a safe backup of it somewhere else you can make sure that your iPad gives the tamperers a tough time. You can enable a feature on iPad that will delete all the data on your iPad in case someone tries and enters wrong password 10 times. To do this Navigate to Settings > General > Passcode Lock > Erase Data.
9. Control iPad notifications
iPad notifications can some times become very annoying especially when the notifications are unimportant and numerous. Turns out you can control how you get notifications on your iPad from different applications. You can do so by going to settings>notifications and customize which alerts and accompanying sounds will appear.
10. Configure VPN
VPN access is available on your iPad and you can configure it in Network Settings under the general category in main Settings menu. Select the VPN from there and move the slider to on, then you can configure it with your server and account details.
11. Turn battery percentage off
Battery percentage meter makes you feel a little anxious but you can easily turn it off anytime by going to Settings, General, Usage and turning it off there. This is one of the easiest iPad tips that you can learn
12. Quick volume mute
iPad has no separate mute button to kill the sound when the moment demands. But the iOS 4.3 takes care of this anomaly by recognizing the long hold on volume down button as a mute command.
13. Stop asking to join Wi-Fi networks
There are so many Wi-fi networks available when you are on the go and many times the constant notification about the available networks is noisome. Well! you can easily turn it off by going to Setting>Wi-Fi and turn off Ask to Join Networks. You can still join networks whenever you like but it won’t bug you all the time .
14. Avoid underpowered USB docks
The iPad does not charge efficiently from under-powered USB docks. So you need to know which docks get the maximum power. As a principal the USB docks on the front are under-powered and vice versa.
15. Use Multitasking Gestures
iPad already allows you to efficiently perform multi-touch multi-funtions but with Xcode from the Mac App Store you are able to maneuver your way through multiple apps using multiple gestures. You just have to download this app from Mac App Store and install it, then from the Xcode homescreen, select your iPad and click on the Use for Development button.
16. Maximize iPad’s Battery Life
iPad has appreciable battery back up but its never enough. There are some simple tricks that will allows you to maximise your battery backup. You can get them by clicking on the link below.
17. Lock your iPad’s Screen with iOS 4.x
The problem with the latest iOS upgrade is that you loose the screen orientation lock. But you can easily lock this again by following the steps given in the below link.
Lock your iPad’s Screen with iOS 4.x
18. Pause/Resume App install on iPad
iPad actually has an option to pause App installation and you can resume them eventually whenever you like by following the link below.
Pause/Resume App install on iPad
19. Enable MultiTasking on iPad
iOS 4.2 enables multi-tasking on your iPad but with the tip in the below link you will be able to switch between apps without having to close them while you are at it.
20. Mute Clicking Keystroke Keyboard Sound
Click sound is stylish but to some people at times it becomes pretty annoying. To disable this clicking sound all you need to do is simply follow these ease steps given in the below link.
Mute Clicking Keystroke Keyboard Sound
21. Save Web images while browsing
Saving images that appear on the web pages is an easy task with iPad. All you have to do is tap and hold the image that interests you and you will be prompted to save it.
22. Scroll quickly to top of page
You can quickly scroll to top of any page by simply tapping the title bar located at the top of every window and you’re done.
23. Add and enable bookmarks to Safari Bookmark bar on iPad
By default you are not able to add bookmarks on iPad’s Safari browser. To do so you need to follow the tips given in the below link.
Add and enable bookmarks to Safari Bookmark bar on iPad
24. Copy/Paste text between two or more iPad apps
Copying text between apps is easy on iPad. All you have to do is tap and hols and word then drag till you select the text you want to copy. When you have completed this you can tap copy and once you are in the App where you want to copy this text just tap and hold in the input box, and then use Paste.
25. Copy Entire Paragraph
To copy an entire paragraph you just have to tap the desired paragraph 4 times and the whole paragraph will be highlighted for copying.
26. Add PDF file from DropBox to iBooks
You can add PDF books from your already genius DropBox to iBooks on your iPad by simply clicking on the link below and following the easy steps therefrom.
Add PDF file from DropBox to iBooks
27. Erase History, Cache and Cookies in Safari browser on iPad
In standard Mac Safari browser you are able to perform these functions within the browser but things get a little more typical with iPad. Follow the link below to Erase History, Cache and Cookies in Safari browser on your iPad.
Erase History, Cache and Cookies in Safari browser on iPad
28. Add more Apps to your iPad dock
By default you are able to have only 4 apps on your iPad dock but by following the iPad tips given in the below link you will able to add 2 more.
Add more Apps to your iPad dock
29. Read PDF files through iBooks on iPad
By following precisely the steps given in the below link you will be able to read PDF files in iBooks on your iPad at ease.
Read PDF files through iBooks on iPad
30. Convert PDf files into ePub for efficient reading with iBooks on iPad
PDF is the most common and most abundant source of eBooks from the very beginning. But iBooks on iPad reads ePub format and in-order to keep up with it all you will need to do is convert your PDF treasure into ePub format by following simple steps given in the below link.
Convert PDf files into ePub for efficient reading with iBooks on iPad
31. Force restart your iPad
Sometimes when you are stuck with some horrendous app or a hang Forcing restart becomes inevitable. You can easily force restart your iPad by following the steps in the below link.
32. Import Keynote from iPad to your Mac or PC
It may seem an easy task but with iPad it is a pretty much complex thing to do. Worry not! In the tips listed below you will be able to do so with absolute precision.
Import Keynote from iPad to your Mac or PC
33. Print from your iPad
There are many printers which are not officially recognized by iPad but in iOS 4.2 you can use the AirPrint to print from any printer.To know more about how to do this just follow the steps given in the below link.
34. Rename iPad folders
Here in the link below you will be guided through certain steps that will allows you to rename folder on your iPad.
35. Stream Video from your Desktop on iPad
You can easily stream videos from your Desktop on your iPad via Wi-Fi or internet by following the easy steps given in the below link.
Stream Video from your Desktop on iPad
36. Watch all Video formats on iPad
Unfortunately, VLC was removed from Apple App store after some complaints about licensing and DRM so the number of Video formats that can be played on iPad were considerably reduced. But by following the steps given in the below link you will enable your iPad with a capacity to play almost all type of Video formats.
Watch all Video formats on iPad
37. Transfer Documents to your iPad
By following the iPad tips given in the below link you will be able to transfer MS Word or Pages from PC/Mac to your iPad.
Transfer Documents to your iPad
38. Insert Image into a Pages document and Convert into PDF
With this tutorial you can insert a Image into your Pages document just to spice things up. You can then convert it into PDF for further transfer and sharing.
Insert Image into a Pages document and Convert into PDF
39. Lock iPad
Who wants people to mess up with something as personal as an iPad. Well! by following the steps in the below link you will be to Lock you iPad so that its contents remain private.
40. Convert Your iPhone into a wireless iPad camera
This fun trick will allow you to use your iPhone as a wireless camera for your iPad to have some extra fun.
Convert Your iPhone into a wireless iPad camera
41. Fix “There is not enough memory” error for the iPad
Follow the link below to get rid of “There is not enough memory” error message.
Fix “There is not enough memory” error for the iPad
42. Disable Installing Unnecessary Apps
There are people that will get hold of your iPad and bombard your little iPad with enormous unnecessary apps. Turns out, you can actually disable this by following the steps listed in the link below.
Disable Installing Unnecessary Apps
43. Enable Repeat and Shuffle Track while Playing
To do this, tap on the Album art to bring forth the icons for corresponding commands. Tap on either Repeat or shuffle as you desire without having to stop music .
44. Determine the iPad ECID on Windows and Mac
The link below shows us how to determine the iPad’s ECID code – something you’ll want to have at Jailbreak time.
Determine the iPad ECID on Windows and Mac
45. View How a Website Looks on iPad
A useful tip for website owners who don’t have an iPad . This allows you to view a Website on Safari the same way as it appears on an iPad.
View How a Website Looks on iPad
46. Stream Music and Videos from Mac on your iPad
StreamToMe is the name of the app available at $3 that allows you to stream music and videos on your iPad via local network.
Stream Music and Videos from Mac on your iPad
47. Connect Your iPad to Wireless Keyboard
If you already have a wireless keyboard and you would like to use it with your iPad you can watch the video below to learn how to do so.
Connect Your iPad to Wireless Keyboard
48. Transfer directly Photos from Camera to iPad
All you will need is a special adapter and you are ready to directly download pictures from your camera into your iPad.
Transfer directly Photos from Camera to iPad
49. Make an iPad Icon for Your Website or Blog
This tutorial will help you to make a beautiful iPad icon that will be stored on your website visitors iPad’s once they select “Add to Home Screen”. If you are a blogger or a website owner, this is a good iPad trick to be learnt.
Make an iPad Icon for Your Website or Blog
50. Turn iPad caps lock on
To write words or sentences in higher case, that is, to write with caps lock turned on, you need to double tap either of the shift keys.
51. Replace a Word
The problem with on screen keyboards is that you often make mistakes. But iPad takes care of this by suggesting few alternative words to choose from. To bring on this replace option you just have to tap the word and then tap replace to see suggestions and choose the appropriate one from there.
52. Insert an apostrophe without going to Another screen
We often use apostrophe and on iPad you have to go to a different screen to enter it which can be annoying. To tap into this apostrophe quickly tap and hold ! key on your virtual keyboard and the apostrophe will appear. Next you need to tap on it and it is done.
53. Insert quotes quickly
Just like apostrophe you can also insert Quotes by tapping and holding onto ‘?’ key to see “ and then enter it.
54. Dim Backlight in iBooks
During long reading hours your display is constantly squeezing your iPad’s battery and to carry on reading for some extra hours you can Dim the lights in iBooks. To do so you will have to tap on the icon located at the top right corner of the iBooks and then swipe the slider to desired brightness.
55. Google Map Street View
Tapping into street view on cool Google maps is a bit confusing. You actually can do it by tapping on the red pin on the map (which happens when you do a search). Next, tap the red and white icon of a person to enter Street View.
56. Find Text
While you are browsing using Safari you can find any text in a particular web page by simply typing the word you want to find in Google search box. Then you will have to wait till a list of suggestions appear as a drop down where from you can choose the option “On this Page”. Next, you can tap Find to go to first instance of that word.
57. Preview more of your emails
By default you only see 2 lines of email before tapping on it. You can customize this by navigating to Settings app, then tap on Mail, Contacts, Calendars and change the Preview options to add up-to 5 lines.
58. Turning off the iPad Push Mail
By default your new emails are instantly are Pushed on your iPad as soon as they are received which sometimes can be pretty annoying. To change this to manual or interval select the Settings app and Mail> Contacts>Calendars and choose Fetch New Data, then turn Push on or off.
59. iPad Backup
It’s smart to backup the precious iPad data on a Mac or a PC. You can do this using iTunes by connecting your iPad to your Mac or PC, then opening up iTunes. Once the iTunes is open, right-click on your iPad in the Devices list and select Back up.
60. Meter and Camera focus
In the Camera app you can get brilliant shots by tapping on your subject to both focus on and meter the light properly.
You can also check our list of cool iPad cases and iPad TV apps. If you bought a new iPad, check retina iPad apps and games.
We hope that you liked this list of iPad Tips and tricks. These should make you an expert at using the iPad. If you want to share a tips or if you would like us to link to another useful iPad tip, let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page.