How to keep the Dock visible on iPad while using an app

If using Windowed Apps or Stage Manager views on Settings ➜ Multitasking & Gestures, you can reduce the height of the Window by dragging up from the bottom right corner. This will expose the dock and keep it exposed if you really need it to be exposed always.

Otherwise, swiping gently from the bottom of the screen will bring up the dock when you need it and not take up space on screen when not in use.

Correction

Settings > Multitasking & Windows > Automatically Show & Hide Dock - set to ON (as illustrated).

The Dock is designed to be visible from any of your Home Screens, but will be hidden while viewing Apps. While hidden, the Dock is simply exposed by swiping-upwards from the bottom edge of the screen - just enough to reveal the Dock.

Don't swipe all the way to the centre of the screen - as this extended gesture triggers the App Switcher / Exposé page.

With iPadOS 26, when using Windowed Apps mode, there is one available setting that will allow the Dock to persist when Apps windows are not expanded to full screen:

• Settings > Multitasking & Windows - select Windowed Apps
• Settings > Multitasking & Windows > Automatically Show & Hide Dock - set to OFF