Do you often feel like you have installed an app on your iPad, but then you can never find it when you want to use it? Would you like to have more control over where apps appear on your iPad?
Today’s Tip
Spotlight Search and your App Library can help! It automatically sorts your apps into folders, with your most used apps at the top. It also allows you to search for a specific app. It makes accessing your applications easier!
Using Spotlight Search
Spotlight Search allows you to quickly find any app loaded to your iPad.
- On a home screen, swipe down with one finger. A search bar will appear at the top of your screen.
- Begin typing the keyword for the app you’re looking for. Your iPad will filter any hits it finds based on your keyword.
- Tap away from Spotlight Search to exit the feature.
Note: You can also use Dictation to search for apps in Spotlight Search by tapping the microphone symbol in the search bar. Look back at the post on Dictation for File Production for setup instructions.
Accessing Your App Library
- To access your App Library, look in the dock of your iPad.
- The App Library is always the option on the far right of your dock. It looks like an app filled with four apps.
- Touch this option with your finger.
Note: You can also swipe left until you pass all of your home screens.
App Library Structure
It will look like your iPad has sorted your apps into folders. The groups are based on common categories with your most often used apps at the top. There are a few customizations you can make to your device.
- If there are more apps in a category that won’t fit into the group, they will be shrunk into the 4th app box. You can click on this 4th box to expand those apps.
- If you find an app in your App Library, you can have it added to your Home Screen by holding your finger on the app until a context menu appears. Then Select Add to Home Screen +.
- You can also automatically add new apps to your App Library under Settings>Home Screen & Multitasking. Then, under Newly Downloaded Apps, select App Library Only.
Searching for an App in the App Library
- Across the top of your App Library is a search field.
- Touch your finger inside the field and type the name of the app you are looking for.
- Click Go on your keyboard.
You can also scroll up through a list of apps listed alphabetically. Touch the app name with your finger to open the app.
Additional Support
Check out some of the resources we’ve curated on this topic for more support:
