9 surprising ways to use your iPad or Android tablet

Your tablet is capable of much more than just browsing the web or keeping the kids entertained. 

Whether you have a brand new iPad or an Android slate, there are likely hidden talents inside that you aren't using. From acting as a second monitor to solving complex maths problems with a scribble, here's how to unlock the full potential of your device.

Get a year of super-useful advice

Solve your tech issues and get expert buying advice whenever you need it, all year for only £36.75 that’s 25% off.

Join Which? Tech Support

Offer ends 8th January 2026

Already a Which? Tech member? For more help and 1-2-1 technical advice, including buying advice, go to our Tech Support online booking tool.

1. Use your tablet as a second screen

On iPad

Using Apple's Sidecar tool, you can extend or mirror your Mac desktop wirelessly, which is good news if you'd like some extra space to work with. Before you get started, make sure your gadgets are signed in with the same Apple Account (formerly Apple ID) and have two-factor authentication enabled. 

When the tool is activated, the iPad adds a 'Sidebar' with commonly used Mac controls such as Command, Shift and Undo. With your two devices running off the same wi-fi network, try this:

• On macOS Tahoe (version 26) or Sequoia: Click the Control Centre icon in the menu bar, choose Screen Mirroring and select your iPad from the list.
• Pro Tip: Wireless works well, but using a cable keeps your iPad charged and ensures the connection is instant, with zero delay.

We tested the Mac mini to find out how well it works with an iPad and whether you can use it as a laptop – read our Mac mini review for the results

On Android

Setting up an Android tablet as a second display improved significantly in 2025.

• Samsung Galaxy Tablets: These have a native feature called Second Screen. On your tablet, swipe down to open the Quick Panel and tap the Second Screen icon. On your Windows 10 or 11 PC, press Windows Key + K and select your tablet from the list to connect instantly.
• Other Android Tablets: We used to recommend Spacedesk, but for a lag-free experience now, we recommend SuperDisplay (around £15). It connects via USB cable for zero latency and, crucially, supports pressure sensitivity – meaning you can use your tablet's stylus to draw directly into Windows apps.

2. Solve maths with a scribble (Math Notes)

On iPad 

The Calculator app on iPadOS 26 has a hidden superpower called Math Notes. It transforms your iPad into an intelligent piece of paper. 

Using an Apple Pencil, simply write out a mathematical problem in the Calculator app's 'Math Notes' mode. As soon as you write an equals sign (=), the iPad solves the equation instantly, displaying the answer in handwriting that mimics your own. It even understands variables. If you write Budget = £500 and then use Budget in a sum below, changing the original number updates the answer instantly. You can even tap the equation to insert a graph.

On Android 

While there isn't one single app for every Android tablet, you have some powerful options:

• Samsung Galaxy users: Look for the Maths Solver feature in Samsung Notes (requires One UI 8.5 update). As with the iPad, you can write an equation with your S Pen, and the Galaxy AI will solve it when you write the equals sign (=).
• All Android users: Use Circle to Search. If you're stuck on a maths problem in a PDF or on a webpage, simply hold the home handle and circle the equation. Google's artificial intelligence (AI) will analyse it and provide a step-by-step solution card, which is often better for learning than simply getting the answer.
• Third-party app: For a dedicated scratchpad, download MyScript Calculator 3 or Nebo. These offer the closest experience to the iPad's Math Notes and work on almost any Android tablet.

Need a new tablet? See our expert pick of the best tablets

3. Scan documents (and digitise old photos)

On iPad

Forget third-party scanning apps; the best scanner is built right into Apple Notes. Open a new Note, tap the Camera icon and select Scan Documents. Point your iPad at the document you want to scan. The camera automatically detects the edges, snaps the photo and uses AI to remove glare and shadows. 

Why it's better: In modern iPadOS, scanned documents become fully interactive. You can highlight text, copy it or use your Apple Pencil to sign it.

On Android

You no longer need separate apps such as PhotoScan. The native Camera app on most Android 16 tablets (especially Pixel and Samsung) has built-in document scanning. Simply point your camera at a document. A yellow 'T' or 'Scan' icon will appear; tap it to capture. The tablet’s AI will automatically straighten the page and remove your fingers from the edge of the frame if you were holding it down. 

Alternatively, use the Google Drive app camera: its updated scanner automatically removes stains and crinkles, saving the file directly as a searchable PDF.

4. Copy and paste to your other devices

On iPad

Using Universal Clipboard, you can copy text or an image on your iPhone or Mac and paste it immediately onto your iPad (or vice versa).

• Ensure all devices are signed into the same Apple Account.
• Enable Bluetooth and wi-fi on all devices.
• On iPad: Go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff and turn on Handoff. Now, when you click Copy on your Mac, the content is sitting in your iPad's clipboard, ready to paste. Don't have a Mac? We'll help you get the best MacBook for your budget.

On Android 

Android 16 has made this much easier recently with a menu called 'Cross-device services'. Go to Settings > Google > Devices & sharing > Cross-device services and enable Internet sharing & cross-device services. This creates a shared clipboard between your Android phone, tablet and Chromebook.

• For Windows Users: Use the Link to Windows feature. Once connected, you can copy text on your tablet and paste it directly into Word documents on your PC.

If you're struggling with a sluggish tablet, it might be time for an upgrade. Use our expert tablet reviews to find the right model for your needs

5. Run multiple apps at the same time

On iPad

If you have an iPad Air or Pro with an M-series chip, you have access to Stage Manager. This feature (activatable in Control Centre) allows you to resize apps into overlapping windows, just like on a computer. You can group apps together (Safari and Notes, for example) and switch between groups with a tap.

• Surprising trick: Plug your Stage Manager-enabled iPad into an external monitor. Unlike with older models that just mirrored the screen, you now get a completely separate desktop space, allowing you to drag windows between the iPad and the monitor.

On Android

Samsung Galaxy owners have a secret weapon called DeX. Tap the button in your Quick Panel, and your tablet interface transforms into a desktop layout that looks just like a computer – complete with a taskbar and Start menu. It's incredibly powerful if you attach a mouse and keyboard.

For other Android tablets, you don't need special settings to multitask. Simply open your Recent Apps view (usually by swiping up from the bottom and holding), tap the icon at the top of an app and select Split screen. This lets you snap two apps side by side – perfect for watching a cooking video on YouTube while writing down the ingredients in Google Keep.

6. Explore accessibility tools: eye tracking

On iPad

A futuristic accessibility feature in iPadOS 26 is Eye Tracking. It uses the front-facing camera to track where you're looking, allowing you to control the pointer with your gaze. While designed for accessibility, it's surprisingly useful for everyone. Imagine reading a recipe while your hands are covered in flour – you can interact with the screen simply by looking at buttons and 'dwelling' your gaze to click, without ever touching the glass.

• Try it: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Eye Tracking.

Apple's iPad accessibility site has more details on how to use these features.

On Android

While Android doesn't have native eye tracking yet, it does have Camera Switches. This allows you to control the tablet using facial gestures, such as raising your eyebrows to select an item or opening your mouth to go back. It's a lifesaver if you need hands-free control.

Other Android accessibility features include magnification, contrast and colour options, select to speak and Voice Access, which lets you control your tablet using spoken commands.

7. Use one keyboard for everything

On iPad

Universal Control is distinct from Sidecar. It enables you to use your Mac's keyboard and trackpad to control your iPad. Just place your iPad next to your Mac and push your mouse cursor off the edge of the Mac screen – it will pop onto the iPad screen. You can then type in iPad apps using your Mac keyboard and drag files between the two devices seamlessly.

On Android

Samsung users have an equivalent feature called Multi Control. It allows you to control your Galaxy smartphone or tablet using your Galaxy Book laptop's keyboard and trackpad. Like Apple's version, it supports drag-and-drop file transfers between devices, making it ideal for moving photos from a tablet to a laptop for editing.

We reveal the top tablet faults and how to fix them

8. Cast content from your tablet in surprising places

On iPad

You likely know you can AirPlay to your TV at home. But in 2025, the 'surprising' feature was AirPlay in Hotels. Connecting a tablet to a hotel TV used to mean wrestling with cables and confusing logins. Now, at chains including IHG Hotels & Resorts (which covers Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn and Garner), you will find a QR code on the compatible LG TV in your room.

• How it works: Simply scan the QR code with your iPad camera. It automatically pairs your device and connects you to the hotel wi-fi in one step, letting you securely stream your own movies or presentations to the big screen.

On Android and Fire Tablets 

Casting has evolved with Matter Casting, a new open standard that's smoother than the old methods.

• For Fire Tablet/Fire TV Users: Look for the casting icon in apps such as Prime Video. Amazon now uses Matter Casting to beam content directly to Fire TV Sticks and Echo Show 15s. Unlike with old mirroring, this launches the app natively on the TV, freeing up your tablet so you can keep browsing or turn off the screen to save battery.
• For Android Users: The standard Cast button now works with a wider range of TVs thanks to Google's deeper integration with brands including LG and Samsung. Just ensure both devices are on the same wi-fi network.

9. Find your tablet even when it's offline

On iPad

Apple's Find My network is a game-changer. Ensure Find My iPad is enabled in your iCloud settings, and make sure Send Last Location is switched on. This ensures your iPad shouts out its location one last time before the battery dies – critical for finding a lost device.

On Android

The new Find My Device network operates similarly. Previously, you could track a tablet only if it was connected to wi-fi. Now, Google uses a network of more than a billion Android devices to detect your tablet's Bluetooth signal and securely report its location.

• Critical setting: Go to Settings > Google > Find My Device and ensure 'Find your offline devices' is set to With network in all areas.
• Pixel owners: If you have a Pixel tablet, it can be located for several hours even after the battery has died, thanks to specialised hardware that keeps the Bluetooth chip active.

For more details, see our guide: What to do if your phone gets stolen

Even more tablet tricks

Tablets are often treated as passive screens for watching movies, but as these tips show, they're powerful tools waiting to be used. Whether you're setting up a smart home dashboard or playing console games via Remote Play, the goal is to make the device work for your specific needs. 

Try one of these tips this week – you might be surprised at how much more you get out of the technology you already own.

• Play console games on your tablet: With the free PS Remote Play or Xbox apps, you can play your console games remotely. For the best experience, connect your DualSense or Xbox controller to the tablet via Bluetooth.
• Connect your smart home via Matter: Your tablet can act as a local dashboard. Look for the Matter logo on smart plugs and lights; this allows your tablet to control them directly over your local wi-fi, meaning they work instantly even if your internet connection goes down.
• Try Focus mode: Both iOS and Android support Focus mode, which filters notifications based on what you're doing (for example 'Work', 'Reading', 'Gaming'). On iPad, linking a Focus mode to a specific Lock Screen wallpaper is a great way to mentally switch between 'work mode' and 'relax mode'.

Join Which? Tech Support

Get a year of super-useful advice

Solve your tech issues and get expert buying advice whenever you need it, all year for only £36.75 that’s 25% off.

Join Which? Tech Support

Offer ends 8th January 2026

Which? Tech Support can help you keep on top of your home tech. Our experts explain things clearly so you can resolve issues and feel more confident using your devices.

Get unlimited 1-2-1 expert support:

• by remote fix – we connect securely from our office to your home computer and resolve issues while you watch
• by phone – clear guidance on choosing, setting up, using and resolving issues with your home tech devices
• by email – outline the issue and we’ll email you our answer
• in print – Which? Tech magazine, six issues a year delivered to your door.

You can join Which? Tech Support.