Hello, I don’t like how my iPad screens are displayed since the 15.0 upgrade. I’m 70 and don’t want to learn anything new. .please put my iPad back the way it was. Thank you!

Let's start with: this is NOT Apple support. Apple does not participate here.

We are all other users - volunteers trying to help others.And a lot of the senior contributors are as old or older than you are.

Here is a link to the feature you do not like; it tells you how to use it and how to turn it off:

Open two items in Split View on iPad - Apple Support

(you must have accidentally hit one of those little buttons to turn it on);=.

FWIW, I don't like it either and simply avoid turning it on.

And, since we are not Apple employees and have nothing to do with Apple's ideas of a cool new feature, there are times when we cannot do as asked. For instance, you cannot go back to an earlier iOS version because Apple does not want you to.There is no way.

While avoiding needless repetition of the sage advice already offered by others - and focusing specifically upon your evident difficulties…

Multitasking

Unlike iPadOS14 and earlier versions, multi-tasking cannot now be disabled from settings. Multi-tasking has received a significant overhaul, both simplifying its use and introducing new controls.

Key to accessing and controlling (or simply avoiding) iPadOS multi-tasking is the small “three-dot” button that is found at the top-centre edge of the screen.

More information about using multi-tasking can be found in this support page:

Use multitasking on your iPad - Apple Support

The iPad User Guide is also a rich source of information about using iPad and its many features. The Guide is available both online using a web browser (such as Safari), or as an Apple Books download:

iPad User Guide - Apple Support

https://books.apple.com/book/id1567104892

Restoring an earlier version of iPadOS

Unfortunately, rolling-back to an earlier version of iOS/iPadOS simply isn’t possible.

All System Updates are digitally signed by Apple - and can only be installed whilst the digital signatures remain valid. After release of a new iOS/iPadOS version, the immediately preceding version continues to be digitally signed by Apple - however, usually within a few days, Apple will revoke the digital certificate with which the earlier version is signed.

Perhaps consider that iOS/iPadOS updates include both functional and essential security updates. Restoring an earlier version of the OS would undermine the security of your device and your personal data. 

Safari

Many users who complain of issues with multitasking features encounter their problems when using Safari - or more specifically, when attempting to enter or modify the URL or search within the search bar at top centre of the Safari window.

The Safari URL/Address field is centre-justified. While you can tap anywhere in this field to edit the website address, most users have an unconscious conditioned habit of tapping visible text in the centre of the field - often accidentally triggering the three dot (ellipsis) multitasking button at top centre of the screen (immediately above the address field).

To ameliorate this potential problem, instead of tapping the centre of the address field, instead try forming a new habit of tapping either side - anywhere within the field other than the centre; in so doing, you can completely avoid accidental activation of the “three dot” multitasking button. Similarly, this change permits you to easily tap any of your open tabs, including those towards the centre, without triggering multitasking options.

The Shelf

Another area of regular comment (or complaint) by those new to iPadOS15 is “the Shelf” - this being a new feature of the revised iPadOS multitasking environment. 

iPadOS permits you to have multiple “instances” of the same App - each instance being self contained. The shelf, when triggered, shows a thumbnail of each running instance of an App. 

For example, if you have three running instances of Safari, each with its own set of open tabs, you will see three thumbnails corresponding to each running instance of Safari - plus a button to open a new instance of Safari. Simply tapping a thumbnail will switch directly to that running instance of Safari. Each App - such as Mail, Safari, Notes, Calendar, etc. - has its own corresponding shelf.

Individual open instances of an App can be closed directly from the Shelf; just swipe the unwanted thumbnail off the top of the screen. Note that similar to other Multitasking features, associated Shelf functions cannot be disabled

This article from Appleinsider has a useful explanation of this new feature along with many of the updates to multitasking:

https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/08/12/how-to-master-multitasking-on-ipad-and-ipad-pro-in-ipados-15

The iPad User Guide is also a rich source of frequently overlooked information. The Guide is available both online using a web browser (such as Safari), or as an Apple Books download:

iPad User Guide - Apple Support

https://books.apple.com/book/id1567104892

I hope that this insight proves to be helpful in both understanding - or perhaps successfully avoiding - the multitasking features of iPadOS15.

Bkpaul1074 wrote:

I’m aware that you are younger than I am.

You completely missed my point. You are younger than many of the senior members here. Those of us Level 6 and above probably have an average age of about 75.

I’m also aware that it is easier to push out to everyone knowing there will be people that complains but you will ignore. I’m also aware that you want me to just accept and go on my and your merry way.

Have you also missed the fact that this is a user-to-user forum? No one here can change the way your iPad works. All we can do is make suggestions on how you can use it more effectively.

Since I’ve retired and aged, my vision isn’t good so I need that full screen to read my mail, play my games and read my stories/newspapers.

1) Consult your vision care specialist for proper glasses. They make a world of difference. 2)Consider using some of the many built-in accessiblity options:

Get started with accessibility features on iPad - Apple Support

Please tell me how to put my iPad screens bad like they were and then I’ll go into settings and turn off updates.

Downgrading is not an option. You can let Apple know it's something you'd like to see here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Bkpaul1074 wrote:

This did not help me. I didn’t understand it at all. Just tell me how to go back to version 14 so my screen will be back to what I‘m use to. I do not like the split screen/windows. Thanks!

You cannot go back to iOS 14. It is not possible. You will need to learn to use the new version.

Bkpaul1074 wrote:

I want the screens on my iPad back the way it was before this 15.0 upgrade. I’70 and have no desire to learn new tricks. Thank you!

That would make you on the young side compared to lots of the senior members here in this forum. So, age is not the relevant issue. However, I can understand that you don't want to learn new things, especially in an area that you don't consider "fun" or interesting. However, the reality of the situation is that, unless you never update your phone, it's going to change. If you update to iOS 16 in the fall, it will change again.

What I've found helpful when dealing with unwanted change is, as sberman suggests, accepting it. If you get angry about it, you shut down your ability to learn. When you're in a good mood, spend some time trying to figure things out. As soon as it gets annoying, stop and do something else for a while. You'll eventually get it. After all, you're just a young thing.

Bkpaul1074 wrote:

I do not like the split screen/windows.

You are not required to use them.

Use multitasking on your iPad - Apple Support