Apple has quietly turned the iPad into a shape‑shifting computer that can sketch like a notebook, control a Mac and even replace a laptop for some professionals. Power users who rely on Apple Pencil, Universal Control and advanced iPadOS gestures are uncovering tricks that many owners never touch. These five features show how an iPad can do far more than stream video, and why those hidden abilities matter for work, school and creative projects.
Use Universal Control to turn your iPad into a shared desktop
Universal Control lets one keyboard, mouse or trackpad glide between a Mac and an iPad as if they were a single extended desk. Apple explains that users can use a keyboard when Universal Control is enabled, moving the pointer across the edge of a Mac display and straight onto the iPad Home Screen. A short guide on using a Mac and iPad together highlights how a Mac and an iPad can sit side by side while files are dragged from one to the other.
This trick effectively turns the tablet into a second screen that still runs iPadOS apps, which changes how designers, editors and students can spread out their work. A spreadsheet can stay open on the Mac while handwritten notes or reference PDFs live on the iPad, all steered with the same trackpad. For people who travel with a Mac and an iPad instead of a bulky dual‑monitor setup, Universal Control offers desktop‑class multitasking in a compact bag.
Turn Apple Pencil swipes into instant screenshots and Quick Notes
Apple Pencil is more than a stylus for drawing. Apple’s own guide shows that users can more with Apple by swiping from a bottom corner to trigger system tools. A popular tutorial explains that a swipe from the bottom right corner with Apple Pencil can instantly open Quick Note, while a similar gesture from the bottom left can capture a screenshot. Another creator demonstrates these corner swipes as part of wider iPad tips that many owners overlook.
These gestures turn the iPad into a rapid capture device for meetings, lectures or research. Instead of hunting for on‑screen buttons, a user can jot a Quick Note over a webpage, save it to Notes and return to reading within seconds. For stakeholders like students or journalists, the ability to freeze a screen or annotate it with one motion reduces friction and encourages more consistent documentation of ideas and sources.
Use Apple Pencil Scribble to enter text in any field
Apple Pencil also unlocks Scribble, which converts handwriting into typed text directly inside standard text fields. A detailed guide on Apple Pencil tips explains that users can Enter Text by using Scribble, so any search bar or form can accept written input. The same guide notes that Apple Pencil is central to this feature, which treats handwriting as a first‑class input method rather than a sketching add‑on.
For users who think faster with a pen than a keyboard, Scribble changes how they interact with apps like Safari, Mail or Slack. Instead of tapping tiny keys, they can write natural words that the system converts on the fly, even supporting quick gestures to delete or select text. This handwriting‑first approach helps people with motor challenges or those who simply prefer analog motion, and it nudges the iPad closer to a digital notebook that still speaks the language of modern software.
Master three‑finger gestures and multiwindow tricks in iPadOS
iPadOS hides a set of power gestures that dramatically speed up editing and multitasking. A long list of iPad tips points out that a three‑finger pinch copies, a three‑finger spread pastes and a three‑finger swipe left undoes, all without touching on‑screen menus. The same guide notes that users can open the same app in multiple windows, labeled as “24: Same App, Multiple Windows,” and mentions a bundle of more than 400 tips and for Apple devices.
These gestures and windowing options turn the iPad into a serious writing and research machine. A user can keep two Safari windows side by side, or run Mail next to a Pages document, while using three‑finger shortcuts to edit text at laptop speed. For professionals who already rely on iPad as a main computer, these hidden controls reduce reliance on external keyboards and make touch input far more efficient, which can shift purchasing decisions toward higher‑end iPad models.
Unlock advanced Apple Pencil shortcuts and hover controls
Power users are also discovering lesser known Apple Pencil shortcuts that go beyond basic taps. A video on hidden Pencil features shows how Apple Pencil can trigger quick tools, switch brushes and interact with hover previews on supported iPad models. Another short guide on iPad tips demonstrates that a swipe gesture from the corner with Apple Pencil can open markup tools, and a separate walkthrough on first‑day iPad setup recommends getting an Apple Pencil or compatible dupe as one of the first accessories.
These advanced controls matter because they compress complex creative workflows into a few pen movements. Artists can change tools without diving into palettes, while note‑takers can jump into markup or Quick Note with a single motion. As more apps adopt hover and double‑tap shortcuts, the combination of iPadOS and Apple Pencil turns the tablet into a precision instrument for design, annotation and editing, which strengthens Apple’s pitch that an iPad can be a primary computer rather than a companion screen.
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*This article was researched with the help of AI, with human editors creating the final content.
