Simply get a brand new iPad? This is what to do first [Video]

Getting a brand new iPad is likely one of the most fun experiences. You get an attractive pane of glass that simply occurs to be a pill, able to doing principally something, if arrange accurately. Essentially the most tedious a part of an iPad is setting it up and studying how you can navigate it. Particularly now with the replace to iPadOS 26, folks quietly modified how the iPad works in some fairly significant methods. So earlier than you begin to set issues up, and obtain a ton of apps, listed below are the issues it is best to do straight away to make your iPad really feel quicker, cleaner, and extra intentional from day one.

Remember to take a look at our full information on how you can setup your iPad accurately!

Now lets get into every step!

1. Arrange the brand new windowing & multitasking

The replace to iPadOS 26 provides a model new strategy to expertise your iPad. Apple introduced true Mac-like windowing and multitasking to the iPad. However what’s nice about that is that it’s optionally available. In case you have little interest in the brand new desktop-like windowing system, you possibly can simply maintain it the way in which it has all the time been. Right here is the way you determine:

• Open Settings
• Go to Multitasking & Gestures
• Allow both the brand new Windowed Apps possibility or the Full Display screen Apps possibility

This, to me, is crucial first step as a result of it is going to dictate the way you expertise your iPad on a day-to-day foundation. In case you are used to the previous full-screen app methods, then go together with that selection. Nevertheless, if you’d like a computer-like expertise, go for the brand new model of multitasking. What I like is that there are alternatives and there’s no unsuitable reply.

2. Set up your Recordsdata app

The Recordsdata app for the iPad has all the time been a crutch to the iPadOS expertise. When in comparison with the Finders app, it felt watered down and lacked customization choices. Apple modified that with iPadOS 26. There’s a lot extra you are able to do now.

• Change column dimension
• Add further column classes
• Change the folder shade and add emojis for personalisation
• Place folders in your dock! (Big for me)
• Background knowledge switch is way more intuitive
• Altering layouts is far simpler

The Recordsdata app feels way more Finder-like, which I believe is large for each skilled and informal workflows. I can now place my iCloud desktop folder in my Dock, permitting me to simply entry all its content material from my iPad whereas customizing it. It’s actually magical.

3. Customise your Management Heart

Management Heart additionally received revamped in iPadOS 26. You get far more customization and optionality when utilizing it. It is usually a function that’s usually underrated and barely mentioned. It has changed into an extension of your homescreen that provides a ton of utility. Customizing it is extremely straightforward and works identical to customizing your house display. Right here is how:

• Swipe down from the top-right to open Management Heart
• Lengthy-press to edit
• Add controls like Display screen Recording, Notes, Low Energy Mode, and Focus
• Reorder them so your most-used instruments are best to succeed in

You’ll be able to add varied utilities, corresponding to sensible residence controls, shortcuts, and accessibility choices, and the customization potentialities are almost countless. They’ve additionally added pagination, permitting you to view a number of pages of widgets and controls. I like Management Heart as a result of it permits me so as to add extra as quick-access settings that I wouldn’t need on my homescreen.

4. House Display screen and Lock Display screen customizations

The House Display screen and Lock Display screen are the 2 locations you work together together with your iPad essentially the most, but most individuals by no means contact the defaults. A couple of small adjustments could make your iPad really feel cleaner, extra private, and way more helpful each time you choose it up. Setting these up can also be quite simple, as soon as you understand how to do it.

• Lengthy-press on the House Display screen till apps begin jiggling
• Faucet Edit on prime left nook
• From there, you possibly can add Widgets, change the app icon colours & dimension, edit wallpaper and add/take away pages.
• You can too edit the lock display in the identical approach. You’ll be able to add widgets, change wallpaper and even change the clock font

Now, whenever you open your iPad, it will likely be arrange precisely the way in which you need. You should have your fast info at a look in your lock display, and your house display can have all of your most used apps and actions. As soon as that is arrange in your circulation, it makes issues go a lot quicker.

5. Notification administration

It is a massive one for me. I’ve 100s of apps put in on my iPad, and if all of them despatched me notifications, then I’d be overloaded and miss the necessary ones. So that is one thing I do on all my iPads and takes just some minutes, so it can save you your sanity. Right here’s how:

• Open Settings
• Go to Notifications
• Faucet Scheduled Abstract and switch it on
• Select supply instances for non-urgent alerts
• Return and assessment particular person apps
• Flip off notifications for apps that don’t actually matter

As soon as that is completed, you can be set. I prefer to set my schedule summaries to point out me notifications that I believe are necessary however not time-sensitive. Then i like to ensure the apps i need to get nitifucation froms are set to speedy. Lastly, I like to show off notifications from apps that don’t actually matter.

Closing ideas and extra

The iPad doesn’t want a ton of apps or difficult workflows to be nice. With just a bit setup, iPadOS 26 turns the iPad into one thing that feels quicker, extra intuitive, and way more private. The change to iPadOS 26 for me has been improbable, however I’m conscious that not everybody needs their iPad to do pc issues. So I’m glad that Apple permits prospects to stay to the previous methods as effectively.

So if you happen to take the time to customise your House Display screen and Lock Display screen, be taught the core multitasking gestures, manage Recordsdata, and clear up notifications, your iPad instantly turns into simpler to make use of and extra enjoyable as effectively.

Remember to take a look at our full record of 10 issues to do in our video. What do you assume, although? Are you a fan of iPadOS 26? What’s the very first thing you do with a brand new iPad?