Getting Started
Using OpenChair on iPad
Last updated 15 April 2026
Using OpenChair on iPad
The OpenChair iPad app uses an adapted layout across all screens, split views, side panels, and a vertical navigation rail, so you can manage more without switching screens.
TL;DR
- iPad layout activates automatically at 700dp screen width, no settings to change
- The bottom tab bar becomes a collapsible vertical sidebar; Inbox, Clients, and Schedule use split views
- iPad-only calendar features: 3 Day view, drag-to-reschedule, layout density toggle, and waitlist panel
- Hardware keyboard shortcuts are available throughout the app (Cmd+1 to 6 for tabs, Cmd+N for new booking)
Overview
On iPad, OpenChair lets you:
- Replace the bottom tab bar with a collapsible vertical sidebar on the left
- View conversation details alongside your message list in the Inbox
- View client profiles alongside your client list in the Clients tab
- Inspect booking details alongside the calendar without navigating away
- View three days of the calendar at once
- Drag bookings to a new time directly on the calendar
- Use a hardware keyboard with shortcuts across the whole app
- Run the front desk in Shared Device mode with landscape-optimised kiosk layouts
Note
iPad layouts activate automatically based on screen width. The split-view layout is available when screen width is 700dp or wider. No settings need to be changed.
Navigation Sidebar
On iPad, the bottom tab bar is replaced by a vertical sidebar on the left side of the screen.
The sidebar is collapsible:
- Collapsed (60dp wide): Shows icons only
- Expanded (220dp wide): Shows icons and labels side-by-side
Tap the collapse toggle in the sidebar to switch between states. The sidebar remembers your choice.
Sidebar Sections
| Section | Items |
|---|---|
| Core | Today, Schedule, Inbox, Clients, Intelligence, Assistant |
| Daily Ops | Waitlist, Reviews, Invoices (filtered by role) |
| Manage | Timeclock, Staff, Automations, Loyalty, and more |
| Utilities | Settings, Support, Theme, Shared Device, Log out |
Unread count badges appear on Inbox, Reviews, and Invoices when there is new activity.
Split-View Layouts
Three tabs use a master-detail (split-view) layout on iPad: Schedule, Inbox, and Clients. The left pane shows a list; the right pane shows the selected item in full detail, no navigation stack push needed.
Schedule Tab. Booking Inspector
Tapping a booking on the calendar opens the inspector panel on the right side of the screen. The calendar grid adjusts its width to accommodate the panel, so you can browse the schedule and read booking details at the same time.
- Inspector width: 380dp on standard iPad, up to 480dp on wider screens
- Close: Tap the ✕ button in the top-right corner of the inspector, or swipe the panel to the right
- Tapping an empty area of the calendar behind the inspector also closes it
On iPad in landscape mode (screen width ≥ 1024dp), the calendar inspector and the waitlist panel can both be open at the same time.
For full details on the calendar inspector and iPad-specific calendar features, see Mobile Calendar (Schedule Tab).
Inbox Tab. Conversation Pane
The Inbox shows your message list on the left and the full conversation thread on the right.
Left pane (conversation list):
| Filter type | Options |
|---|---|
| Status | Needs attention, AI handling, Resolved, All |
| Channel | All channels, SMS, Email |
| Assignment | All, Mine, Unassigned |
| Search | Client name, email subject, or message content |
Right pane: The selected conversation thread with the full message history, reply composer, and client summary.
When no conversation is selected, the right pane shows a placeholder. On phone, tapping a conversation navigates to a full-screen thread.
Clients Tab. Client Profile Pane
The Clients tab shows your client list on the left and the selected client's full profile on the right.
Left pane (client list):
| Filter type | Options |
|---|---|
| Segment | All, New, Regular, VIP |
| Cadence (Owner + PRO) | Overdue, Due Soon |
| Health (Owner + PRO) | Critical, At Risk, Watch |
| Contact | Has email, Has phone |
| Sort | Last Visit, Visits, Spend, Name (ascending or descending) |
iPad-only: A "New" button appears inline in the search bar on iPad. On phone, this button is not shown on the list screen.
Right pane: The selected client's full profile, visit history, upcoming bookings, contact details, notes, and forms.
Today Tab. Two-Column Layout
On iPad, the Today tab uses a two-column layout:
- Left column: Venue Pulse insight card and Next Up booking cards
- Right column: Team Schedule, Who's In (timeclock), and Getting Started checklist
In kiosk mode with the device in landscape orientation, the Next Up booking cards display in a two-column grid instead of a single column.
For full details on the Today tab sections, see Mobile Dashboard (Today Tab).
iPad-Only Calendar Features
The following calendar features are only available on iPad (not on phone):
| Feature | How to use |
|---|---|
| 3 Day view | Tap the view selector pill → select 3 Day |
| Drag-to-reschedule | Long-press a booking block and drag it to a new time |
| Layout density toggle | Tap the density icons in the toolbar (Compact / Comfortable) |
| Waitlist panel | Tap Waitlist in the toolbar |
For full details, see Mobile Calendar (Schedule Tab).
Kiosk Mode on iPad
Kiosk mode on iPad locks the device to booking and front-desk operations. The app adapts its layout when the device is in landscape orientation:
- The kiosk header bar shows a compact single-line format: venue name · status label with the time right-aligned
- The Today tab displays Next Up booking cards in a two-column grid
- Display Mode and Shared Device Mode are both available on iPad
For full setup instructions, PIN management, and the shared device activity log, see Kiosk Mode and Shared Devices.
Keyboard Shortcuts
When a hardware keyboard (Magic Keyboard, Bluetooth keyboard) is connected, shortcuts are available throughout the app for navigation, calendar actions, search, and panel management.
Navigation
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Cmd+1 | Go to Today tab |
| Cmd+2 | Go to Schedule tab |
| Cmd+3 | Go to Inbox tab |
| Cmd+4 | Go to Clients tab |
| Cmd+5 | Go to Assistant tab |
| Cmd+6 | Go to Intelligence tab |
Calendar
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Cmd+N | New booking |
| Cmd+T | Jump to today on the calendar |
| Cmd+W | Toggle the Waitlist panel |
| ← → (arrow keys) | Previous / next day |
| Cmd+Z | Undo last calendar change |
Search and Inbox
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Cmd+F | Focus the search input (Clients and Inbox) |
| Cmd+H | Toggle Assistant conversation history |
| Cmd+Enter | Send a message in Assistant |
General
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Escape | Close the inspector panel, sheet, or modal |
Tip
Press Cmd+N from anywhere in the app to open the new booking form instantly, you do not need to navigate to the Schedule tab first.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Split-view layout is not showing. I see a single column | The split-view layout activates when the iPad's usable screen width is 700dp or wider. If you are using slide-over or Split View multitasking with another app, the OpenChair window may be too narrow. Try closing the other app or giving OpenChair more screen space. |
| The sidebar is showing icons only and I cannot see labels | The sidebar is in collapsed mode. Tap the collapse toggle (the small arrow or menu icon) in the sidebar to expand it to full width with labels. |
| Keyboard shortcuts are not working | Ensure a hardware keyboard is physically connected or paired via Bluetooth. The shortcuts require a hardware keyboard, the on-screen keyboard does not support them. |
| Drag-to-reschedule is not working | Drag-to-reschedule is only available in the Day view and 3 Day view, and only for active bookings (not cancelled, completed, or no-show). Ensure you are long-pressing the booking block (about half a second) before dragging. |
| I cannot see the Intelligence tab in the sidebar | Intelligence is a PRO feature. If your venue is on a FREE plan, the Intelligence tab is not shown. |
| The calendar inspector closes when I rotate the iPad | The inspector closes automatically if the screen width drops below the split-view threshold during rotation. Rotate back to landscape or open the inspector again in the new orientation. |
FAQ
How is the iPad layout different from iPhone?
On iPad, the bottom tab bar is replaced by a collapsible vertical sidebar on the left side of the screen, and Inbox, Clients, and Schedule use split-view layouts, the list appears on the left and the selected item's detail on the right. On iPhone, these screens are full-screen and navigate in a stack.
Which calendar features are only available on iPad?
3 Day view, drag-to-reschedule (long-press a booking and drag it), layout density toggle, and the waitlist panel are iPad-only calendar features not available on iPhone.
Why isn't the split-view layout showing on my iPad?
The split-view layout requires the usable screen width to be 700dp or wider. If you are running OpenChair in Split View or Slide Over alongside another app, the OpenChair window may be too narrow. Try giving OpenChair more screen space or closing the other app.
What keyboard shortcuts are available with a hardware keyboard?
Cmd+1 to 6 navigate between tabs, Cmd+N creates a new booking, Cmd+T jumps to today, Cmd+F focuses the search input, Cmd+W toggles the waitlist panel, and Escape closes panels and modals.