Daily Tip: How to enable iPad multitasking gestures in iOS 4.3
Are you a developer interested in how to enable iPad multitasking gestures in iOS 4.3 so you can test them with your apps? They're not there by default but if you have the iOS 4.3 GM seed and Xcode, you can turn them on. We'll show you how after the break!
When you first install iOS 4.3 GM there are no multitasking gestures enabled and if you go to Settings there's no place to turn them on.
In order to get the Gestures Settings to show up, you have to do a little work. But only a little:
- Connect your iPad to your Mac via the Dock cable
- Launch Xcode
- From the device manager, select your iPad
- Click on "Use this device for development"
- Login with your Apple Developer ID and password
- Once it's done processing, go back to your iPad and tap Settings
- In Settings go to General and you'll see the toggle for multitasking Gestures. Turn them on!

That's it, you're done! You can now 4-finger pinch your way back to the home screen and swipe between apps!
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There are 40 comments. Add yours.
Do you think that this will work with iPad 2?
That would be cool.
When do they usually preview the next iOS?
My developer account ends 4-4-11, I hope I get to install it before then.
Firstly I assume this would work with non-paid developer accounts... Secondly what other changes are made when you make it a development device?
No it doesn't work with unpaid accounts, never assume anything.
It does work for non-developers in fact. Just click Cancel when asked to enter your credentials and proceed as per normal. Never assume anything.
He's right... I know for sure i dont pay for my dev account...
In fact i have an old version of xcode, and it never even asked me to log in... I clicked use this device for development. and it said that i couldnt use my version of xcode with 4.3, so im like bleh, whatever... and sure enough. multitouch gestures!!!
Never assume anything.
Yes it does actually. I discovered this this morning http://bit.ly/ea8Uk8. I upgraded my iPad to iOS 4.3 having once before plugged my iPad into xCode (I've never had a paid iOS developer account) and I have multitasking gestures on the release version of iOS 4.3 on my iPad
Getting back to macmurray's other question, "what other changes are made when you make it a development device?"
this work on iphone 4??
If you think that you have enough space on the iPhone 4's micro screen, go ahead and try!!
Ummmm, so when do we think this will be available as an option in the wide release of an ipad ios update? Version number guesses?
Lame question, but will the multitasking gestures be available for all users on March 11? Please say yes. No? Ok.
Hi im new to this whole xcode thing. Can any one tell me how to get to the screen where i choose "use for development" in xcode? Like how to i select ipad from the "Device Manager" and where is the device manager?
Just launch the Xcode.app and plug in your iPad. On the left you will see it like you see it in iTunes. Select it then click once on the "Use As A Developer" button to the right of your selection. You will be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password as you set it up in the developer program. I used the exact same Apple ID and password to re-register my FREE Apple Developer program to then be able to download the FREE Xcode 3.2.6 to perform this multitasking gestures implementation. As soon as you enter your Apple ID and password you will see the message that you are not in a development team. No matter. You are done. Look at your General Settings page again on your iPad and you will see Multitasking Gestures already turned ON immediately below the new Use Side Switch to: "Mute" option.
Man, it is hard to understand why Apple chose to not include this in the general release. This feature is Platinum to me. I am so happy to have it. Thank you TiPb for helping us all do it.
Hi FutureMedia.
Just like Justin, I’m a newbie to this whole xcode thing. You see, yesterday I tried to do it by downloading the xcode and install it to my MacBook. Everything works fine, then here go the trouble, after I had the xcode installed, tried to open it and it do works and I have the “use for development” screen pop up and as well as the “welcome to xcode screen”. But before I manage to do anything, the pop screen gone and only the welcome screen with three options stayed. “Create New Project, etc” I deleted the whole files and then reinstalled it, still none of the use for development screen come out and i repeat the previous thing i did by downloading the xcode again, and reinstall. after few attempts it only ended up in failure, now the xcode cant even open!! I need some help :( BIG THANKS in advanced :(
Xcode is on app store fore 4.99
The Pinch command leads to the Desktop - NOT the Home Screen - on whatever page and with whatever folder you may have left open exactly the way it was when you were last down on the Desktop. Apple's mistake in wording.
I am using Xcode 3.2.5 and there is no Device Manager. I am in the Organizer, but on the left I only have "Projects & Sources" and "Archived Applications". There is no "Device Manager". What am I missing?
Xcode 4? I have Xcode 4 and it works fine, but I've never tried Xcode 3 so I'm not sure if if supports iOS 4.3 or not.
i was soooo annoyed when i updated my paddy to 4.3 that the gestures settings werent there. thats one of the most useful features i thought!!
thanks so much for this because after reading and seeing some gleeful comments that it worked.. i had to do it.. i got xcode from the app store for a fee of 4.99 euro's, then once that huge app installed and i hit 'use for development' i checked the settings and there they were, gesture settings thank you!! well worth the yoyos and the tiny bit of effort
Oh my god!!!
if the gestures is only for developer what is the point of updating to 4.3?
So has anyone got this working on iPad 2?
I just did this following futuremedia's free way on my new iPad2 and it worked. Makes multitasking a lot better.
What if I don't have a Mac will this wk with windows ? I really want this on iPad 2... Thanks
You need Xcode for this to work, and Xcode is only for Mac, unfortunately.
Wow! It woks great. Now, if I upgrade from ios 4.3 to ios 4.3.1 will I lose the newly enabled gestures?
just updated to 4.3.1 and i did not lose my gestures so you are good
For Windows user, check this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uktPleZ8O8Q
Free, no jailbreak request.
Thanks a lot! Worked perfectly. I'm on iOS 4.3.2.
Is that work with iOS 4.3.1 also?
To anyone not having their iPad show up in Xcode, whatever version, you can still get multitasking gestures. Jailbreaking is required, but navigate to "com.apple.springboard" in /var/mobile/Library/Preferences, and add these two lines to the file:
SBUseSystemGestures
Hope this works for you!
Source: http://jailbreakzone.com/2011/04/03/enable-multitasking-gestures-and-sid...
shoot, it cut out the arrow bracket things...
(key)SBUseSystemGestures(/key)
(true/)
except instead of ) put >
If I've confused you, just go to the website, it doesn't have to deal with comment formatting :S
http://jailbreakzone.com/2011/04/03/enable-multitasking-gestures-and-sid...
this does not work unless you pay $99 at Apple Developer Site, no?
I think you can still have a free developer account, and it works with that.
can we do this on iphone 4??
To enable, open iFile , and navigate to var/mobile/preferences/ and open the file com.apple.springboard.plist. choose open in Text Viewer. Now select edit, and add the following lines near the bottom:
SBUseSystemGestures
This is Free :)
works fine with my iPad 1st gen. .. for all i know multitask gesture is only when you update it to iOS 5 upward
.. . but it works with the 4.3 version.. . very happy about it .. .. many thanks .. . . =)