How do I duplicate the background layer on iPad?

[Kyle76]

I'm trying to follow the bokeh effect tutorial (for desktop) on my iPad.  I can't even get past the first instruction, which is to duplicate the background layer in order to create a mask for the area that should not be blurred.  I'm in the layers studio and tried several buttons (I figured the plus button was what I needed), but I see no command to duplicate the background layer.  Are things that different between the platforms, or have commands changed in later versions or am I just looking in the wrong place?

[Dan C]

Hi Kyle76

You need to use the Commands menu in Affinity iPad to duplicate a layer, simply select the layer in the layers studio, then tap the three dot menu (Commands) in the top left corner and you'll see the first option here is duplicate! I hope this helps.

[Alfred]

There’s a ‘Duplicate’ option on the Commands menu (the one with the ‘...’ icon) in Affinity Photo. Alternatively, you can long-press the object on the canvas to display a menu bar where ‘Duplicate’ is one of the options.

Edit: I see I’ve managed to more or less ... er ... duplicate(!) @Dan C‘s answer. LOL.

[Kyle76]

OK, great!  It's good to get past step one!

[Paul Mudditt]

You will save yourself a lot of wasted time by watching the many tutorials available. Eg

 

[Kyle76]

Thanks. I watched the appropriate desktop tutorial but could not figure out how to create a duplicate for masking. I do check the videos before asking a question.