All iPads New iPad/New UI For Me....A Little Help Please with iOS18?

[Newbert]

At long last (10 years in fact), this old guy (in his 70's) finally bought himself a new iPad (13" Air). Now I've got LOTS to learn in order to use it comfortably.

My old iPad has the lightning port, while My new Air does not. The old iPad has the Home Button near the lightning port to initiate almost everything, while my new Air does not. And to complicate matters, I'm also trying to get used to the Apple Pencil Pro. --- So I sure can use some help on some of the basics. Let's start slow ---

1. Exactly what do I need to do on the Air to replicate what the Home Button does on the old iPad?

2. How do I see the battery life left on the Apple Pencil Pro?

3. When an app occupies the entire screen, how do I shut it down?

Note: My Air came with iOS18 on it so for now, that's what my questions pertain to. I'm not ready to jump to iOS26 yet.(After all, it's still a beta, isn't it?)

If anyone can answer these questions, that would be great! A link to a good Youtube video or two that addresses these questions (and perhaps more) would be even better!

Thanks!

 

[deeddawg]

1a - to open/unlock touchID on the top edge button.
1b - swipe up from the bottom of the screen
2 - attach the pencil to the side and you'll see battery status show at top of the screen. also visible in Settings -> Apple Pencil
3 - swipe up from the bottom bezel to return to home screen

Current general release iPadOS is 26.1 - it's not a beta

Apple iPad User Guide - https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/welcome/ipados

 

[Newbert]

1a - to open/unlock touchID on the top edge button.
1b - swipe up from the bottom of the screen
2 - attach the pencil to the side and you'll see battery status show at top of the screen. also visible in Settings -> Apple Pencil
3 - swipe up from the bottom bezel to return to home screen

Current general release iPadOS is 26.1 - it's not a beta

Apple iPad User Guide - https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/welcome/ipados

Thanks! I'll work my way thru that User Guide.

Still not sure whether I should immediately go to iPadOS26 or not at this point, though. It's probably best for me to go on step at a time (ie - iOS18) before "graduating" to iPadOS26.

Thaks again. You've been very helpful!

 

[deeddawg]

Thanks! I'll work my way thru that User Guide.

Still not sure whether I should immediately go to iPadOS26 or not at this point, though. It's probably best for me to go on step at a time (ie - iOS18) before "graduating" to iPadOS26.

Thaks again. You've been very helpful!

Personally, I'd just do the update and learn both hardware and software changes at the same time. Particularly since the linked guide is for iPadOS 26.

Here's an article on the 18 to 26 changes: https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipados-26/

 

[vanilla_prison]

I would update to 26. Otherwise, you’ll learn all the tips and tricks for 18 then have to retrain yourself later when you do update. Might as well just learn 26 now

 

[NastyMatt]

For the pencil battery level, you can also add the battery widget to your home screen:

 

[Davidalan]

For the pencil battery level, you can also add the battery widget to your home screen:

View attachment 2582570

Or on the lock screen for quick look as you open

 

[chown33]

Personally, I'd just do the update and learn both hardware and software changes at the same time. Particularly since the linked guide is for iPadOS 26.

The guide covers multiple iPadOS versions. There's a "Select version" popup near the top of pages within the guide that lets you select from 26, 18, 17, or 16.

For example, here's the page on basic setup:

Setup basics

There are just a few quick things you should set up before you start using your iPad.

support.apple.com

That link leads to the 26 page.

Here's the link for basic setup for iPadOS 18:

Setup basics

There are just a few quick things you should set up before you start using your iPad.

support.apple.com

If you change the version using the popup, it will continue presenting that version's pages as you move through the guide.

 

[deeddawg]

The guide covers multiple iPadOS versions. There's a "Select version" popup near the top of pages within the guide that lets you select from 26, 18, 17, or 16.

For example, here's the page on basic setup:

Setup basics

There are just a few quick things you should set up before you start using your iPad.

support.apple.com

That link leads to the 26 page.

Here's the link for basic setup for iPadOS 18:

Setup basics

There are just a few quick things you should set up before you start using your iPad.

support.apple.com

If you change the version using the popup, it will continue presenting that version's pages as you move through the guide.

Yes, you can change to a different guide for older iPadOS versions - my link goes to iPadOS 26 so what I wrote is correct.

My advice is still to couple learning new hardware with the new iPadOS rather than breaking it into two different exercises.

Maybe if we were still on iPadOS 26.0.0 it'd be worthwhile to hold off, but at this point IMHO best to go with current.

 

[Newbert]

Yes, you can change to a different guide for older iPadOS versions - my link goes to iPadOS 26 so what I wrote is correct.

My advice is still to couple learning new hardware with the new iPadOS rather than breaking it into two different exercises.

Maybe if we were still on iPadOS 26.0.0 it'd be worthwhile to hold off, but at this point IMHO best to go with current.

OK - I'm convinced. You guys always give sound advice. I'll upgrade to 26 and start working thru that guide tonight.

Thanks!

 

[deeddawg]

Feel free to hit us up with any questions. Always happy to help.

 

[Homme]

I would update to 26. Otherwise, you’ll learn all the tips and tricks for 18 then have to retrain yourself later when you do update. Might as well just learn 26 now

Especially the photos app. Much better on OS 26 than OS 18