Apple launched its new Stage Manager feature with iPadOS 16.1 for select iPads and macOS Ventura on Mac to help “focus on tasks and move between apps and windows faster and easier than ever.” Learn how to activate Stage Manager on iPad, how it works, supported iPads and how to use the bias feature.
Headlining – and controversial – landing of new compatibility features iPad and Mac In iPadOS 16.1 and macOS Ventura, here’s Apple’s description of how Stage Manager works:
“Stage Manager automatically organizes open applications and windows so users can focus on their work and see everything at a glance. The window that users are currently working in is displayed in the foreground in the center, and other open windows are displayed on the left side so that they can quickly and easily switch between tasks. Users can also group windows when working on specific tasks or projects that require different applications. “
It was a polarizing feature in some ways, including how it works (and doesn’t work), bugs and quirks and which iPads are supported. Apple eventually extended the functionality to older iPad Pro models, but has removed support for external full-screen viewing from all iPads for the time being. But anyway, here’s how to prove it.
Stage Manager on iPad: How it works in iPadOS 16
Activate Stage Manager on iPad
- Running iPadOS 16.1 on an iPad M1, A12Z, or A12X, open Control center (swipe down from the top right corner of the screen or click in the top right corner)
- press the Manager button (3 small and 1 large square icons near the bottom right corner)
- The first time you activate the Stage Manager, you should see a splash screen with a brief explanation and a button for Enable Scene Management
- After the first time you activate the Stage Manager, you can quickly turn it on and off with a single click in the control center.
- Stage Manager is automatically added to Control Center on iPadOS 16.1 compatible iPads, but you can also rearrange the position of the button by going to Settings> Control Center.
Here’s what the process looks like on iPad:
Used
- Once the Stage Manager is activated and an application launched, look for the curved black line in the lower right corner of a window to resize it
- If you switch to an app and it’s full screen, resize with the bottom right corner
- You should see the other apps open on the left side – move the iPad slider to the far left if the other apps are hidden
- You can drag multiple apps into one Stage Manager space
- Tap the three-dot icon at the top center of an app to close, minimize, and get more options
- For now, Stage Manager external full-screen display support has been removed.
- Coming soon on the iPad M1 and M2, but not on the older iPad Pro models
Take a closer look at Stage Manager on iPad in my colleague Fernando’s detailed video below!
And for super in-depth coverage, check out Federico Viticci’s full review of Stage Manager on iPad on MacStories:
What do you think of Stage Manager on iPad? Is it something you use or are you looking forward to using it? Or does it seem like a disappointment? Share your opinion in the comments!
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