Multitasking on iPad ?

Presumably your iPad is running iPadOS15.

Unlike iPadOS14 and earlier versions, multi-tasking cannot now be disabled from settings. Multi-tasking has received a significant overhaul, both simplifying its use and introducing new controls.

Key to accessing and controlling (or avoiding) multi-tasking is the small “three-dot” button that is found at the top-centre edge of the screen.

More information about using multi-tasking can be found in this support page:

Use multitasking on your iPad - Apple Support

The iPad User Guide is also a rich source of information about using iPad and its many features. The Guide is available both online using a web browser (such as Safari), or as an Apple Books download:

iPad User Guide - Apple Support

https://books.apple.com/book/id1567104892

You really do need to explore multitasking - as you have a slide-out view of an App enabled. Key to accessing and controlling multi-tasking is the small “three-dot” button that is found at the top-centre edge of the screen - or centrally at the top of each App window. If you tap the three dots at the top of the slide-out window, you can transform the view to full-screen - or to split view.

More information about using multi-tasking can be found in this support page:

Use multitasking on your iPad - Apple Support

The iPad User Guide is also a rich source of information about using iPad and its many features. The Guide is available both online using a web browser (such as Safari), or as an Apple Books download:

iPad User Guide - Apple Support

https://books.apple.com/book/id1567104892

Hopefully my explanation here - and the linked documentation - will demystify how to control your App windows in the IPadOS multitasking environment.

Thanks for the screenshot - that helps considerably.

The “obnoxious arrow”, now clarified, does not look quite right. By comparison, this is perhaps what you might expect to see if you have a slide-over window that has been minimised.

However, this tab should itself disappear within a few seconds.

If you tap on the tab that you see, does this associated App appear on your screen?

You are very welcome.

You’ll only ever see the “arrow” that I have described of you have triggered a slide-over view - and now, hopefully, you are aware of how to transform the slide-over window to a full screen.

Hopefully with benefit of this additional knowledge the problem is now resolved.

I’m struggling to understand the reference to the “obnoxious arrow”. Perhaps you can post a screenshot - as this will help me to understand precisely what you are seeing.

To repeat my question, what happens when you tap the tab?