iPadOS 14 Features & Screenshots Guide

iPadOS 14, released in September 2020, introduced a redesigned home screen with widgets, a new compact UI for calls and Siri, and powerful Apple Pencil features like Scribble. This article explains the key features and shows you what to expect in screenshots, including how to take and find them on your iPad.

What’s New in iPadOS 14: A Visual Overview

iPadOS 14 was a major visual overhaul. The most noticeable change is the new home screen: you can now add widgets (small, glanceable info panels) directly to the grid, not just in the Today View on the left. Screenshots of iPadOS 14 typically show a grid of app icons with a few widgets mixed in, often a clock, calendar, or weather widget. Another hallmark is the compact design for incoming calls and Siri – instead of taking over the whole screen, a call appears as a small banner at the top, and Siri pops up as a small circle at the bottom. This makes multitasking feel less disruptive.

Key Features You’ll See in Screenshots

When browsing screenshots of iPadOS 14, you’ll notice several signature features:

Widgets: Available in three sizes (small, medium, large). You can drag them from the Today View onto the home screen. The Smart Stack widget automatically rotates through relevant apps based on time, location, and activity.
Compact UI: Phone calls, FaceTime, and Siri no longer cover the entire screen. A small banner or circle lets you continue working while the call or Siri is active.
Scribble: With an Apple Pencil, you can write in any text field, and your handwriting is converted to typed text. You can also scratch out to delete, circle to select, and hold to insert space.
App Library (iPadOS 15 later): Note: iPadOS 14 does not have the App Library – that came with iPadOS 15. Screenshots of iPadOS 14 will show a clean home screen without the App Library icon on the dock.
Sidebar in apps: Many Apple apps (Photos, Notes, Files, Music) gained a new sidebar for easier navigation, similar to the Mac.
Search improvements: Spotlight search is more streamlined, showing a single search field and more relevant results.

How to Take a Screenshot on iPadOS 14

Taking a screenshot on iPadOS 14 depends on your iPad model:

With a Home button (iPad 6th gen and earlier, iPad mini 4, iPad Air 2): Press and hold the top (or side) button, then press the Home button simultaneously. Release both.
Without a Home button (iPad Pro, iPad Air 3rd gen+, iPad 7th gen+): Press and hold the top button, then press the volume up button. Release both.
With Apple Pencil: Swipe from the bottom corner of the screen with the Pencil to take a screenshot (you can enable this in Settings > Apple Pencil > Swipe from Bottom Corner).

After taking a screenshot, a thumbnail appears in the bottom-left corner. Tap it to annotate, crop, or share immediately. If you don’t tap it, it automatically saves to your Photos app under “Screenshots” album.

Where to Find Your Screenshots

All screenshots are saved in the Photos app. To find them quickly:

Open Photos.
Tap the “Albums” tab at the bottom.
Scroll down to “Media Types” and tap “Screenshots.”

You can also find them in the “Recents” album, but the Screenshots album is organized for easy access. If you have iCloud Photos enabled, they sync across all your devices.

Common Issues with Screenshots on iPadOS 14

If your screenshot isn’t saving or the thumbnail doesn’t appear, try these fixes:

Check storage: Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage. If full, delete unneeded files.
Restart iPad: A simple restart often resolves temporary glitches.
Check button responsiveness: Ensure the buttons aren’t stuck or covered by a case.
Update iPadOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple regularly fixes bugs.

If the screenshot thumbnail appears but disappears quickly, you might be accidentally tapping it. The thumbnail stays for about 5 seconds; if you tap it, it opens the editor. To dismiss it, swipe it away to the left.

Comparing iPadOS 14 to iPadOS 13 and 15

iPadOS 14 was a bridge between the older iPadOS 13 and the more feature-rich iPadOS 15. Here’s how it compares:

vs. iPadOS 13: iPadOS 13 introduced the first dedicated iPadOS with Sidecar and improved multitasking. iPadOS 14 added widgets on the home screen, compact calls/Siri, and Scribble – a huge upgrade for Apple Pencil users.
vs. iPadOS 15: iPadOS 15 added App Library, Quick Note, and better multitasking (Split View with a menu). iPadOS 14 lacks these, so if you see an App Library icon in a screenshot, it’s not iPadOS 14.

For users on iPadOS 14, upgrading to iPadOS 15 is free and brings many improvements. However, some older iPads (like the iPad Air 2) cannot run iPadOS 15, so they remain on iPadOS 14.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does iPadOS 14 have the App Library?

No. The App Library was introduced in iPadOS 15. On iPadOS 14, the home screen only shows app icons and widgets; there is no automatic app organization feature.

Can I use widgets on any iPad with iPadOS 14?

Yes, all iPads that support iPadOS 14 can add widgets to the home screen. However, the Smart Stack widget is available on all models too. The widget sizes are consistent across devices.

How do I remove a widget from the home screen?

Press and hold the widget until the context menu appears, then select “Remove Widget.” You can also enter jiggle mode (long-press on the background) and tap the minus (-) button on the widget.

Does Scribble work with any stylus?

No, Scribble only works with Apple Pencil (1st or 2nd generation). Third-party styluses do not support handwriting conversion.

Can I take a screenshot with my Apple Pencil on iPadOS 14?

Yes, if you have an Apple Pencil, you can enable the “Swipe from Bottom Corner” gesture in Settings > Apple Pencil. Then, swipe from the bottom-left or bottom-right corner to take a screenshot.

Why are my screenshots not appearing in the Screenshots album?

Make sure you are looking in the right place: Photos > Albums > Media Types > Screenshots. If they’re missing, check if iCloud Photos is enabled and wait for sync. Also, ensure you have enough storage – if the iPad is full, the screenshot may fail to save.

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