Apple "Shelf"

When will Apple make it possible for users to disable the ANNOYING "shelf" supposed feature?

iPad (7th generation)

Posted on May 7, 2023 7:35 AM

Reply
7 replies

May 7, 2023 7:49 AM in response to Toolman47

The Shelf is an integral element of iPadOS multitasking. Unlike iPadOS14 and earlier versions, multi-tasking (including split-screen, slide-over views and the Shelf) cannot be disabled from settings.


iPadOS permits you to have multiple App windows of the same App - each being self contained. The shelf, when triggered, shows a thumbnail of each Window associated with the App. Each App - such as Mail, Safari, Notes, Calendar, etc. - has its own corresponding shelf.


The Shelf is used to quickly switch between open windows or instances of the App. Individual windows can be closed directly from the Shelf; just swipe the unwanted thumbnail off the top of the screen.


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


Apple does invite submission of constructive comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback portal. If you would like to see more flexibility in being able to selectively disable features that you don’t use, this would be the most appropriate channel through which to make your wishes known to Apple:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

Aug 5, 2023 6:44 PM in response to LotusPilot

This multitasking shelf stuff is making my life very complicated. I just lost about 50 safari tabs I had open on my iPad. I was in safari and these three little mini windows appeared at the bottom of my screen….don’t know what I did to cause them to appear. So while trying to get rid of them ALL of my Safari tabs disappeared. I lost some very important information and this is not the first time this has happened. Ridiculous feature…..it should not be so easy to accidentally trigger it and then have it close all your tabs.

Aug 6, 2023 3:34 AM in response to Tori39

You clearly need to explore multitasking. Each of the shelf thumbnails relates to a separate Safari window.


As described, you are closing individual Safari Windows from the shelf - and in so doing, are closing all the open tabs associated with the each Safari Window that you close.


I refer you to the previous answer - where you will find resources from which to learn about the features with which you are having difficulty.



Aug 6, 2023 4:46 AM in response to LotusPilot

I never intentionally try to use multi tasking….I’m not interested in it. But for it to be so easy to accidentally prompt it is very inconvenient. I will explore your previous answer too. But can you tell me this, if i ever accidentally start multi tasking in Safari again, how can I get out of it without losing all my open tabs?


Thank you.

Aug 7, 2023 3:10 AM in response to Tori39

To reiterate, key to accessing and controlling (or avoiding) multi-tasking is the small “three-dot” button that is found at the top-centre edge of the visible App windows.  Tapping the button opens an associated menu - from which you can change the current multitasking view.


The shelf, by contrast, shows open windows for the specific App. By example, you may have multiple Safari Windows, each with their own set of tabs. Tapping a shelf thumbnail opens that particular Safari window. Swiping the thumbnail off the top of the screen closes that specific App Window - and everything associated with it. You should note that triggering the shelf view does not, of itself, close or impact any running Apps; it is only your actions that will close Apps or App Windows.


All are documented within the resources that I have listed within my previous replies.

Apple "Shelf"

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