Apple Releases iPadOS 26.1 With Slide Over Multitasking

[MacRumors]

Apple today released iPadOS 26.1, the first major update to the iPadOS 26 operating system released in September. iPadOS 26.1 comes six weeks after iPadOS 26.

The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

iPadOS 26.1 reintroduces Slide Over, a multitasking feature that was removed with the multitasking overhaul in iPadOS 26.

Slide Over works alongside the window-based multitasking functionality in iPadOS 26, so you can open up multiple app windows and still swipe over to quickly access a Slide Over app. Only one Slide Over app is supported at a time in iPadOS 26.1, and the feature is accessible by tapping on the green window resizing button and choosing Enter Slide Over.

iPadOS 26.1 also includes almost all of the new features that are in iOS 26.1, such as a toggle to reduce Liquid Glass transparency and Apple Intelligence support for new languages. Apple's release notes for the update are below.

Apple's release notes are below.

Slide Over
- Slide Over lets you keep a window on top of other windows, and easily hide off screen when not in use
- Resizable windows in Slide Over let you choose your preferred size and aspect ratio

Local capture
- Gain control is available for external USB microphones when recording with local capture
- Option to let you choose where local capture files are saved

This update includes the following features and enhancements:
- Liquid Glass setting gives you the option to choose between the default clear look or a new tinted look which increases opacity of the material in apps and notifications on the Lock Screen
- Apple Music MiniPlayer swipe gesture to go to the next or previous track
- Apple Music AutoMix support over AirPlay
- New Camera setting to turn on or off Lock Screen swipe to open Camera
- Improved FaceTime audio quality in low-bandwidth conditions
- Communication Safety and Web content filters to limit adult websites are enabled by default for existing child accounts for ages 13-17 (Age varies by country or region)
- Discover new content, spatial experiences, and quickly access information about your device using Apple Vision Pro app, now available on iPad

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:

Apple security releases - Apple Support

This document lists security updates and Rapid Security Responses for Apple software.

support.apple.com

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPad models. To learn more, please visit:

iOS and iPadOS 26 - Feature Availability

iOS and iPadOS have so many amazing features. Find out which ones are available on iPhone and iPad in your country or region.

apple.com

Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit:

About Apple software updates - Apple Support

Apple regularly provides software updates that improve your device with new features, important security enhancements, and bug fixes. Learn more about why they are important and how they work.

support.apple.com

A list of features in iOS 26.1 can be found in our iOS 26.1 launch post, and more info on iPadOS 26 is available in our roundup.

Article Link: Apple Releases iPadOS 26.1 With Slide Over Multitasking

 

[Astuces iOS]

Let's go I wanted this !

 

[ConsciousBone]

Bring back Split View when? Yes I know you can do it with windowed mode but its a lot more faffing around compared to what Split View used to be

 

[Neil J. Squillante]

Am I the only one who wants perfectly symmetrical split screen apps? This no longer seems possible. Also, I hope Slide Over can be turned off. It was too easy to accidentally invoke.

 

[nepalisherpa]

Wow....kinda late in the day. Happy update, everyone!

 

[Macalicious2011]

Bring back Split View when? Yes I know you can do it with windowed mode but its a lot more faffing around compared to what Split View used to be

This is the single reason why I haven’t upgraded to os26. I use Split View daily, it’s super quick AND I can also four finger swipe between apps. In os26 you cannot do both but have to choose either.

 

[AlexESP]

It’s nothing like the old Split View, as long as you need to enter windowed mode. The iPad had a perfect multitasking system for a tablet, and it has been ruined with iPadOS 26.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I'm downloading and installing iPadOS 26.1 right now. Size of download is 11.2 GB, pretty big considering I am upgrading from iPadOS 26.0.1.

 

[F23]

slide to the left, slide to the right, come on Tim let’s dance

 

[Macalicious2011]

I'm downloading and installing iPadOS 26.1 right now. Size of download is 11.2 GB, pretty big considering I am upgrading from iPadOS 26.0.1.

Some updates aren’t add-ons. Some of them are downloads of an entire os.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Bring back Split View when? Yes I know you can do it with windowed mode but its a lot more faffing around compared to what Split View used to be

Do you know the pro gesture move to have it with windowed mode?

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

M4 11 inch

 

[Saint_Blaise]

Still no fix for disabled badges appearing in the App Library. I know it's not a major bug, but it's been present since the previous iPadOS version.

 

[orbital~debris]

iPadOS 26.1 comes six weeks after iPadOS 26.1.

"You got a real attitude problem, McFly; you're a slacker. You remind me of your father when he went here; he was a slacker, too."

 

[klasma]

Wow....kinda late in the day. Happy update, everyone!

🎵
Happy update to you!
Happy update to you!
Happy update, dear iPadOS,
happy update to you!
🎶

 

[aevan]

[/QUOTE]

The iPad had a perfect multitasking system for a tablet for me, subjectively, and it has been ruined with iPadOS 26.

FTFY

(Sorry, I get why some people liked it, but a lot of people wanted proper window management. Hopefully they also bring the old system back as an option for those that want it.)

 

[subjonas]

Glad to see it back. I thought multitasking in iPadOS had a good balance before 26. Now it's leaned more towards versatile and away from straightforward. Not my preference.

 

[Taq'aix]

Bring back split screen!! FFS!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Can one turn off the pointless "glass" border around the whole thing?

Goodness gracious.
What are we doing here, Apple?

How about adding a border around the border also?
You know .. to help me "focus on my content".

 

[pdaholic]

Since iPadOS 26, I put my iPad in a box in the garage and bought the 12in surface pro. I'm just waiting for an update to iPadOS that makes it as enjoyable to use as it was pre-26. Sounds like this isn't it.

 

[rotvaldi]

Since iPadOS 26, I put my iPad in a box in the garage and bought the 12in surface pro. I'm just waiting for an update to iPadOS that makes it as enjoyable to use as it was pre-26. Sounds like this isn't it.

Chill is a good update just a bit late

 

[aevan]

Love this new Slide Over, more than the previous one. You can resize an app into a square or whatever you want and move it to the side - really nice for reference apps (when drawing in Procreate/CSP/etc. or sculpting in Zbrush).

iPadOS is truly becoming a beast for creative stuff.

 

[baryon]

And despite having reported this bug, they still haven't fixed it.
Same with a bunch of macOS bugs that weren't fixed.

 

[smorrissey]

All those beta windows are a no no... what are we all? beta testers?

 

[pdaholic]

Chill is a good update just a bit late

I just miss the old split screen with all of my lesser used apps in slideover. It was multitasking heaven for me.