Customize Your iPad

Note: This applies to technology kits issued fall 2018 through spring 2022. Changes were made to the Digital Flagship initiative after spring 2022. 

Let’s start by setting up your iPad in a way that works best for you.

Set Up Touch ID

Easily unlock your iPad without typing in a passcode each time. You can also choose to use Touch ID for Apple Pay, iTunes and App Store purchases and auto-filling your passwords.

Set Up Touch ID Step-by-Step

  1. Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode and tap Add a Fingerprint
    1. Tip: You can save up to 5 different fingerprints in Touch ID.
  2. Choose the services you want Touch ID to unlock for you, like auto filling your passwords

 

Rearrange the Home Screen

Reorder where apps show up on your Home Screen and organize them into folders (if you want to!)

Move, Reorder and Organize Apps Step-by-Step

  1. Tap and hold an app you want to move until you see a menu
  2. Select edit home screen OR hold the app a bit longer until you see all the apps shake
  3. Drag and app to move it across the screen or to another page
    1. To move multiple apps at once move the app slightly. Keep a finger on that app and select other apps you want to move with another finger. You will see the apps group together. This is helpful when you want to rearrange multiple apps at once.
  4. Optional: overlap the app with another app to create a folder to organize your apps
  5. Optional: tap the X in the corner of the app to delete it

 

Choose Apps for the Dock 

The Dock is a quick menu for apps located at the bottom of the iPad’s screen. Flick up from the bottom of the screen to see the Dock any time.

Customize the Dock and Its Settings Step-by-Step

  1. Touch and hold an app you want to move to the Dock
  2. Drag the app into the Dock. It will now appear here instead of on the Home Screen
  3. Optional: turn off suggested apps and fit more apps in the Dock. Go to Settings > Home Screen and Dock and turning off Show Suggested and Recent Apps

 

Update Your Notification Settings

Notifications are an important part of establishing a workflow, but they can also be distracting. We recommend that you consider all your devices; maybe you want notifications only on your iPad, or only on your smartphone, or none at all. Do what’s best for you and revisit when you need to make an adjustment.

Adjust Notification Settings Step-by-Step

  1. Go to Settings > Notifications
  2. Tap an app to adjust its settings, like alert type and sound. Turn notifications on or off by selecting the Allow Notifications button at the top

 

Customize your Widgets

Widgets in Today View show you important and timely information. They also allow you to do quick actions. To access your widgets in Today View, swipe on your home screen from left to right until you see your widgets.

Customize Widgets in Today View Step-by-Step

  1. Swipe to the bottom of Today View and tap Edit
  2. Tap the green plus icon to add any widgets that you want to Today View
  3. Tap the red minus icon (and then tap Remove) to remove widgets from Today View
  4. Tap and hold the "pancake" icon (three horizontal lines) on a widget to change the order in Today View

Tip: add the battery widget so that you can see the charge of your Apple Pencil!