Editing your iPad's Dock is a straightforward process that allows you to customize which apps are easily accessible, ensuring your most frequently used tools are always at your fingertips. You can add, remove, and rearrange app icons to suit your workflow.
Accessing Edit Mode for Your iPad Dock
To begin editing your iPad Dock, you need to put your iPad into "Edit Home Screen" mode, often referred to as "jiggle mode." In this mode, all app icons will start to jiggle, indicating they can be moved or deleted.
There are a couple of ways to enter this mode:
-
Long-Press an Icon (Recommended Method from Reference):
- Long-press any app icon located either on your Home Screen or directly within the Dock.
- From the pop-up menu that appears, choose Edit Home Screen.
- All your app icons will then start jiggling.
-
Long-Press Empty Space:
- Alternatively, you can long-press an empty area on your iPad's Home Screen. After a moment, all icons will begin jiggling.
Rearranging Apps Within the Dock
Once your iPad is in "Edit Home Screen" (jiggle) mode, you can easily rearrange the order of apps already in your Dock:
- Drag and Drop:
- Drag and drop any icon you want to move to a different location within the Dock. Simply touch and hold the app icon, then slide it to your desired position. Other icons will automatically shift to make space.
Adding and Removing Apps from the Dock
The Dock can hold a limited number of apps, usually between 13 and 15, depending on your iPad model and iOS version. You can customize these slots:
Adding Apps to the Dock
- Enter Edit Mode: Follow the steps above to get your apps jiggling.
- Drag from Home Screen: Locate the app you wish to add on your Home Screen.
- Move to Dock: Drag the app icon from the Home Screen down into the Dock. Release your finger when it's in the desired position.
Removing Apps from the Dock
- Enter Edit Mode: Ensure your iPad is in "Edit Home Screen" mode.
- Drag from Dock to Home Screen: Drag the app icon from the Dock up onto any empty space on your Home Screen. It will then revert to a regular Home Screen app.
- Delete App (Optional): If you wish to entirely remove an app from your iPad, while in jiggle mode, tap the "-" (minus) symbol that appears on the top-left corner of the app icon, then confirm Delete App.
Understanding the Right-Side Dock Section (Suggested and Recently Used Apps)
On the right side of your Dock, you might notice a distinct separator line, with one or two app icons appearing automatically. This section is dedicated to "Suggested and Recently Used Apps" (sometimes referred to as Handoff apps).
- These apps are dynamically added by your iPad based on your recent activity, apps you use in specific locations, or apps that are part of Continuity features (like Handoff from another Apple device).
- You cannot manually add or rearrange apps in this section.
- If you prefer not to see these suggestions, you can disable them by going to Settings > Home Screen & Dock, and toggling off "Show Suggested and Recently Used Apps in Dock."
Tips for an Organized Dock
- Prioritize Essential Apps: Place your most frequently used applications (e.g., Mail, Safari, Messages, Calendar) directly in the Dock for quick access from any Home Screen page.
- Use Folders: If you have many apps you use regularly but can't fit them all in the main part of the Dock, consider creating a folder within the Dock. Just drag one app icon on top of another in the Dock to create a folder.
- Consider Workflows: Think about how you use your iPad. Do you often switch between specific apps? Group them in the Dock.
How to Exit Edit Mode
Once you've finished arranging your Dock and Home Screen, you need to exit "Edit Home Screen" mode:
- Press Done: Tap the "Done" button located in the top-right corner of your screen.
- Press Home Button: If your iPad has a Home button, simply press the Home button once.
Quick Reference: Editing Your iPad Dock
| Action | How To |
|---|---|
| Enter Edit Mode | Long-press any app icon (then choose "Edit Home Screen") OR long-press an empty space on the Home Screen. |
| Rearrange Apps | While in edit mode, drag and drop app icons within the Dock to change their order. |
| Add App to Dock | While in edit mode, drag an app icon from the Home Screen down into the Dock. |
| Remove App from Dock | While in edit mode, drag an app icon from the Dock up onto an empty space on the Home Screen. |
| Exit Edit Mode | Tap the "Done" button (top-right) OR press the Home button (if applicable). |
| Disable Suggested Apps | Go to Settings > Home Screen & Dock and toggle off "Show Suggested and Recently Used Apps in Dock." |
