multitasking on one iPad is not the most intuitive experience. Even with features like Split View and Slide Over, where you can work with multiple apps at once, it’s not immediately clear how to enable these tools, let alone maximize their capabilities. That’s part of the reason why Apple introduced Stage Manager last year in iPadOS 16″—a new multitasking feature that mimics the experience of a desktop operating system.
Stage Manager arranges your open applications on the left side of the screen, where you can see them at a glance. You can also group apps together and even resize and stack windows. It makes a lot of sense for iPads, but it’s also available on running MacBooks MacOS—very useful if you often open a lot of applications and need some help with organization. While it is easy to use once you get the hang of it, there is still a learning curve. To help, here we break down how to use Stage Manager on your iPad and Mac.
Is your device compatible?
Apple originally announced that Stage Manager would only work with iPad Pro models that support the M1 and newer models. But the company Support extended later for iPad Pro models with A12X AND A12Z chips. The following iPads support Stage Manager:
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch (3rd generation onwards)
- iPad Pro 11 inch (all generations)
- Air iPad (5th generation)
There is a caveat. The ability to move apps and windows between iPad and external displays through Stage Manager only works with the following models:
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch (5th generation onwards)
- iPad Pro 11 inch (3rd generation onwards)
- Air iPad (5th generation)
To check for specific iPad models, go to Settings > General > About and find the section titled Form name.
For Macs, Stage Manager supports all models running MacOS Ventura. The following Macs support the latest OS version:
- MacBook: 2017 and later
- MacBook Air: 2018 and later
- MacBook Pro: 2017 and later
- Mac Mini: 2018 and later
- iMac: 2017 and later
- Professional iMac: 2017 and later
- Mac Pro: 2019 and later
- MacStudio: 2022
To check the specific model of Mac you own, click the Apple icon in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the screen and select About this Mac.
Update your iPad and Mac
If your device supports Stage Manager, the next step is to make sure it’s running the latest version of iPadOS or MacOS. Before updating, we recommend back up your files. To see the exact software version your iPad is running, tap Settings > General > Software Update. Tap the latest version (iPadOS 16.2) and select Download and install. For Mac, click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen and then click About this Mac to make sure you’re using MacOS Ventura. If you don’t, go to System Preferences > Software Update and click Update now (or Upgrade now). From there, the download and installation will begin.
How to enable Stage Manager
Photo: Apple
To enable Stage Manager on tablet:
