The One Trick That Unlocks Hidden iPad Pro Superpowers - Product Kitchen
The One Trick That Unlocks Hidden iPad Pro Superpowers You’re Not Using
The One Trick That Unlocks Hidden iPad Pro Superpowers You’re Not Using
Unlocking the full potential of your iPad Pro isn’t just about squeezing every drop of battery life or mastering basic shortcuts—it’s about tapping into its hidden superpowers. While most users rely on surface-level features, there’s one underutilized trick that unlocks capabilities far beyond what’s visible in the Daily Mix: enabling and leveraging Background App Refresh in Smart Mode with strategic app pairing.
This powerful but often-overlooked feature lets your iPad Pro intelligently refresh selected apps in the background—without draining battery or slowing your device. By thoughtfully curating which apps run in the background and when they refresh, you unlock seamless multitasking, real-time updates, and a smoother workflow that can transform how you create, work, and play.
Understanding the Context
What Is Background App Refresh (BAR) and Why Does It Matter?
Background App Refresh is an iOS feature designed to automatically refresh apps when your iPad is idle, so they’re ready to go when needed. On older devices, BAR is limited and often restricted to core apps like Messages or Mail. But the iPad Pro—thanks to powerful Apple Silicon and optimized iOS—lets you harness BAR even more dynamically.
The real magic, however, happens when combined with Smart Mode, a lesser-known but game-changing option. When enabled, Smart Mode ensures BAR runs only when essential, saving power during heavy usage. But even more transformative is pairing it with strategic app selection.
The Hidden Trick: Smart Mode + Selective App Selection
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Key Insights
Here’s the one trick that unlocks true iPad Pro superpowers:
Enable Background App Refresh in Smart Mode, then hand-pick which apps refresh in the background—and when.
Unlike general BAR toggles, this approach avoids automatic refresh across dozens of apps, which can slow your device and waste energy. Instead, you choose apps that truly benefit from constant background updates—such as your note-taking app syncing with cloud storage, calendars refreshing to display upcoming meetings even when closed, or a design app syncing project files without manual refresh.
This targeted use also preserves battery, extends device lifespan, and keeps your iPad snappy. Bonus: Apply this technique to widgets, live activity feeds, and even third-party apps with proper background support—turning your iPad Pro into a relentless productivity machine.
How to Activate and Customize Background App Refresh Smartly
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Enable Background App Refresh
- Open Settings
- Tap General > Background App Refresh
- Choose “Off,” then toggle it on gradually for apps you want running in the background. -
Enter Smart Mode for Precision Control
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
- Select Smart Mode—this ultra-efficient mode activates refresh only for optimized apps while conserving power. -
Curate Your Daily Target Apps
- Use apps like Notes, Mail, Mail’s Focused Inbox, Calendar, Pages, and design tools to sync automatically—ensuring real-time updates without manual refresh. -
Leverage Live Activity
- Pairing with Live Activity (found in Control Center) lets you monitor which apps are syncing, refining your strategy based on actual usage patterns.
The Superpowers Waiting to Be Unlocked
With this hidden trick, your iPad Pro evolves from a premium tablet into a hyper-responsive, always-ready creative and productivity hub. Imagine:
- Drafts auto-save across devices as you write.
- Music apps load seamlessly into first use, no waiting for buffering.
- Design projects refresh in real-time while exploring other apps.
- Notifications and live updates surface instantly—without draining your battery.
Conclusion: Master the Superpower Most Users Miss
The key to unlocking your iPad Pro’s hidden superpowers lies not in hardware alone, but in how you configure and use its intelligent features. By enabling Background App Refresh in Smart Mode and selecting only the apps that need background syncing, you turn your device into a powerhouse of efficiency.
Stop relying on surface-level shortcuts—go deeper. Take ownership of your iPad Pro’s background capabilities, and watch how it elevates every part of your digital life. Your Pro isn’t just fast—it’s smarter, subtler, and infinitely more capable when you unlock its full hidden potential.