Switch an app window to a Slide Over window on iPad

While you’re using an app, you can switch it to a Slide Over window—a smaller window that slides in front of another app or window—and open another app behind it. For example, while you’re using the Photos app, you can have Messages open in a Slide Over window and carry on a conversation while looking at photos.

iPad keeps track of the apps you open in Slide Over so that you can switch between them easily.

A Photos app fills the screen. Messages is open in a Slide Over window on the right side of the screen.

Open an app in Slide Over

While using an app, tap at the top of the screen, then tap .
The app you’re using moves to the side to reveal your Home Screen and Dock.
Find and open the app you want to appear behind the Slide Over window.
The second app opens, and the first app appears in a Slide Over window in front of it.

To open a third app in Slide Over when the screen is in Split View (on supported models), swipe up from the bottom edge just far enough to reveal the Dock, then drag the third app from the Dock to the Split View divider. (See Open two items in Split View on iPad.)

A graphics app is open on the left side of the screen, Calendar is open on the right, and Mail is open in a Slide Over window that partially covers Calendar.

Switch between apps in Slide Over

Swipe right along the bottom of the Slide Over window, or do the following:

Swipe halfway up the screen from the bottom of the Slide Over window, pause, then lift your finger.
All the Slide Over windows appear.
Tap the app you want to view, if it’s visible.
If you don’t see it, swipe left and right through the apps.

You can also use the App Switcher to switch between apps in Slide Over. See Use the App Switcher.

Move the Slide Over window

Do one of the following:

Move the Slide Over window to the other side of the screen: Drag from at the top of the Slide Over window.
Temporarily hide the Slide Over window: Swipe all the way up from the bottom of the Slide Over window, or swipe , or drag either side of the window to the left edge of the screen. The Slide Over window disappears and a tab appears to indicate the Slide Over window is still available.
Move the Slide Over window back onto the screen: Drag the tab indicating the Slide Over window from the left edge of the screen.

Turn Slide Over into Split View

Tap at the top of the Slide Over window, tap , then tap to have the current app appear on the left side of the screen, or to place the current app on the right.

On supported models, you can use Slide Over and Split View simultaneously. See Open two items in Split View.

Open an item in the center of the screen

In many iPad apps—including Mail, Messages, Notes, and Files—you can open an item in the center of the app window.

Do any of the following:
- Touch and hold a message in a mailbox in Mail.
- Touch and hold a conversation in Messages.
- Touch and hold a note in Notes.
Tap Open in New Window.
The item opens in the center of the screen, on top of what you’re viewing, without otherwise changing your view.
Tip: You can also pinch open any of the items listed in step 1 above to open them in a new window in the center of the screen.

You can change a center window to full screen by tapping , make it a Split View window by tapping , or change it to a Slide Over window by tapping .

Helpful?

iPad User Guide