Designing for Tablets

Tablets are versatile devices that bridge the gap between smartphones and laptops, adapting to different activities and environments. Users often switch between passive tasks, such as reading or watching videos, and active tasks like drawing, note-taking, or document editing. Many workflows start on mobile devices during commutes or quick breaks, then move to tablets or laptops for more detailed interactions.

In professional settings, tablets are typically placed on stands or flat surfaces, allowing for precise input and multitasking. For leisure, users often hold tablets in their hands or laps, requiring interfaces designed for relaxed postures and various viewing angles. Tablet sessions are usually longer than those on mobile but less intense than on desktops.

Tablet users also switch between touch, keyboard, and stylus input methods depending on the task. This flexibility requires interfaces that support all input methods seamlessly without forcing users to adjust settings. Features like Apple’s Handoff and Android’s shared clipboards enable smooth transitions between phones, tablets, and laptops, making it easy for users to continue tasks across devices.

Tablets come in many sizes today, with some as large as laptop screens. It is this screen size that makes so many of the same functions that can be performed on mobile phones much more convenient on tablets.

When designing for tablets, use the screen size to your advantage:

• Since users often hold tablets with both hands and use their thumbs for interaction, placing primary and secondary content within easy reach is important.
• Designing interfaces that work well in both landscape and portrait orientations ensures a consistent user experience, regardless of how the device is held.
• Implementing scalable typography and high-quality graphics ensures readability and visual appeal across various screen sizes and resolutions.
• Employing the right touch target size for interactive elements. The Nielsen Norman Group recommends a minimum of least 1x1cm(approximately 38px) for a tap target, irrespective of device size.^[1]
• Providing adequate spacing between interactive elements helps prevent accidental taps.
• Display information without overcrowding the screen to prevent overwhelming users and maintain clarity.

In a world that is digitizing at an exponential speed, gestures help us translate the usefulness of our hands into the digital spectrum. Gestures like zooming in and out, selecting and unselecting, swiping, dragging, and tapping allow users to interact with your interface.

When designing for tablets, gestures can be used more liberally than in mobile phones because of the large screen size. However, this does not mean that all gestures will be used by all users. In addition to onboarding tutorials that explain the function of gestures, the intuitiveness of gestures is equally important in getting users to learn and actively use them. In other words, use universally adopted gestures to make your tablet app’s UI intuitive and easy to use.^[2]

Every app has a default orientation. Usually, apps designed for Apple's iPad devices tend to have landscape orientation as the default, while Android devices tend toward portrait as default. Portrait orientation offers a more mobile-like experience whereas landscape orientation imitates the feel of using a desktop.

Identify the orientation in which your app is intended to be used — i.e., the default state — by your target audience by keeping your app goals and the target device’s OS in mind. From there, build on the design for the opposite orientation. For example, if your app is best suited for viewing in portrait mode, try to replicate the UI from the portrait design into your landscape design without too many changes.

Users switch between portrait and landscape modes depending on their needs. For example, someone reading an article might hold their tablet vertically, but if they start watching a video, they might rotate it sideways for a better view.

If navigation elements change between orientations — like a menu moving from the bottom in portrait to the side in landscape — it forces users to relearn controls. This adds extra effort and slows them down. Instead, keeping navigation consistent — like keeping a Back button, menu, or key actions in the same spot — helps users switch orientations without confusion. Whether they hold their device upright or sideways, they should always find important features where they expect them. This makes the app easier to use in any situation

Bear in mind that despite the similarities tablets share with smartphones, they are two distinct devices. Treat them as such when designing for each device. In practice, this means designers should avoid replicating a mobile application design in the tablet app and create a tablet-specific app version instead.

The first step is to decide if you really need a separate tablet app and what range of functionality such an app will offer. In general, users tend to expect more in-depth functionality from tablets than from mobile phones. Users also tend to appreciate tablet apps that focus on a single function of the app such as video streaming or reading.

If you can’t find a way to add more value for users through your tablet app, at least make sure it does not lack any of the regular features available on your mobile app or website as it can cause users to abandon your tablet app entirely.^[3]

Text input on tablets presents unique ergonomic challenges that differ from both smartphones and desktop computers. Unlike phones that support comfortable thumb typing or keyboards that offer tactile feedback, tablet typing often involves awkward hand positioning and lacks physical key response.

Here are some guidelines to mitigate this issue:

• Allow users to save searches and other inputs that they fill into form fields.
• Offer autosuggestions and autocorrect.
• Accept alternative forms of input through cameras, QR codes, microphones, or GPS.
• Auto-fill information wherever possible instead of asking users to type them in manually. For example, the card type can be easily identified by the system when a user enters the card number.
• Auto-format form fields.
• Provide default options based on user research insights.
• Enable copying and pasting.
• Avoid making input fields small to prevent the added hassle of scrolling within the box.
• Automatically provide numeric, character, or alphabet keyboards according to the type of input required.^[4]

Modern tablets support sophisticated multi-tasking features like split-view, slide-over panels, and picture-in-picture modes, transforming how users interact with content simultaneously. Apps must adapt gracefully when users trigger these features, maintaining functionality and usability even in compact spaces.

Content prioritization becomes crucial in multi-tasking scenarios. When an app enters split-view mode, it should automatically adjust its layout to display the most relevant information and controls. Primary interaction areas need to remain accessible, while secondary elements can collapse or reorganize. For example, a note-taking app might hide its folder sidebar but keep the current document and essential editing tools visible.

Video playback, data synchronization, and real-time updates need to function seamlessly regardless of the app's current multi-tasking state. Also consider how your app's audio, notifications, and system interactions behave when users are actively engaging with multiple apps.