How To Enable The New Multi-Touch Gestures On The iPad [iOS 4.3+]

Apple has introduced the new multi-touch gestures with iOS 5. Though iOS 4.3 included these gestures but these were never introduced publicly. You can perform certain tasks like revealing multitasking bar, returning to home screen and switching in between the applications by using these finger gestures.

There is a drawback. You can use these gestures only on iPad 2. Even if you upgrade your original iPad to iOS 5, you will not be able to use these gestures. You even need to upgrade iPad 2 to iOS 5 for using these gestures. So how can you use these gestures despite these limitations? You can try jailbreaking. Else, there are two ways of using these gestures: iBackupBot for iOS 4.3.X and redsnow for iOS 5.

iBackupBot for iOS 4.3.X

To use this method, download iBackupBot and Windows machine. This application is paid. If you want to use iBackupBot only for using the gestures, check out its trial version. The iBackupBot also has a separate version of Mac.

Switch on your iPad. Run the iTunes. Create a backup on a regular basis. This can be done by a right-click on the name of your iPad. Select ‘Back Up’ now.

Once this process is finished, you can close iTunes. Start iBackupBot. Your device will be recognized by the program. Your backups will be listed in a window pane on the left. Search for the recent backup that was performed. Click it. The files should be sorted by Path in a pane on the right. Now look for Library/Preferences/com.apple.springboard.plist.

Edit the file by double-clicking on it. Here, you will get a reminder that you are using the trial version and you should purchase the paid version. Click ‘Cancel’ and move ahead. This opens the editor.

Type the following text in <dict> tag:
<key>SBUseSystemGestures</key>
<true/>

Once the process is completed, you can save the changes by clicking on ‘disc’ icon. Close the editor.

Go to the main window. This backup can be restored to the iPad by clicking on ‘arrow’ icon.

The restore process on the iPad will begin. It will take some time.

On the completion of this process, the iPad will start again. You can access the gestures on its reloading.

Redsnow For iOS 5

This method requires a developed version of redsnow that supports multi-touch gestures. The version is available for Mac and Windows. The method is the same for both Mac and Windows machine.

To begin with, download redsnow’s required version. Switch on your iPad. The iTunes should be closed and the iPad should be turned off. Press ‘Power’ button till the time a slider named “Slide to power off” does not appear. Turn off the iPad by sliding it. Run redsnow.

Select “Jailbreak & install Cydia” in the menu.

Plug in your iPad and turn it off to take the next step.

Keep the iPad on DFU mode. Though you can work as per the directions of redsnow but it is difficult to follow the specified timings.

If it does not work, follow the below mentioned instructions:
-Press ‘Power’ button for three seconds.
-Do not release ‘Power’ button and press ‘Home’ button for 10 seconds.
-Do not hold ‘Power’ button now. Press ‘Home ‘ button for 15 seconds.

Your iPad will be in the DFU mode. In case the iPad is not responding, unplug it and plug it again.

After performing the above steps, you reach this screen. ‘Install Cydia’ has been chosen by default. Unselect it. Now choose ‘Enable multitasking gestures’. Hit ‘Next’.

This will not take much time. White lines of the text will begin to appear on your iPad. The following window will appear on your system soon.

This completes the process. Now when your iPad will reload, you can see the multi-touch gestures.