iPad OS26 = Not an iPad, not a MacBook

[Macalicious2011]

Today I downgraded to 18.5 and am happy. iPadOS26 is promising but need more work. It’s a few steps forward but also a few steps backwards. It feels lost in translation between an iPad and Mac. FYI I use my iPad with Logi combo touch case and sometimes a Logi mx mouse.

Multi tasking modes

-You can four finger swipe through full time apps but not use Split View: Huge bummer as I use split view for watching s YouTube video or scrolling through Twitter whilst browsing.

-You can freely resize windows but not four finger swipe through full sized apps or “desktops”.

As you can see, one mode removes something that iPadOS 18.5 had. The other lacks something that my MacBook Pro has.

Transparency
Lots has been said about it. My summary is that it’s a mess. Kudos to Apple for offering the option to dial down transparency. However with this option active, transparency feels so half arsed that you might as well not bother. Why not just offer the option to switch off transparency entirely.

Safari
Even with transparency dialed down the UI for safari looks somewhat transparent and messy.

Positives:
Proper cursor
Better file manager
Spatial effect for wallpaper
Top menu for file edit


Screenshot after my downgrade.

 

[Michael0816]

I don't really understand. You can use split view with iPad OS 26, there are even quite more options than just 2 apps left and right.

 

[Macalicious2011]

I don't really understand. You can use split view with iPad OS 26, there are even quite more options than just 2 apps left and right.

You cannot use split view in combination with being able to swipe between apps. For example.

Split view with Safari and Youtube, then four winger swipe left to twitter, and then swipe back to the right for the split view. I can do this on my Mac and iPad(18.5) but not with OS26.

 

[Ludatyk]

You cannot use split view in combination with being able to swipe between apps. For example.

Split view with Safari and Youtube, then four winger swipe left to twitter, and then swipe back to the right for the split view. I can do this on my Mac and iPad(18.5) but not with OS26.

Because you have to enable Stage Manager… which can be used for four finger swipe gestures along with SplitView.

The reality is.. SlideOver/SplitView that was used in previous version is no longer available and that sucks for people who really like using it. But the functionality is still available for users.

 

[Macalicious2011]

SlideOver/SplitView that was used in previous version is no longer available and that sucks for people who really like using it.

That’s the problem. When innovating it’s best to sometimes allow legacy features to still exist unmodified. This reminds me of when MS removed or heavily modified the start menu in Windows and had to put it back in. I have used stage manager mode and don’t gel with it. Either way OS26 is still a beta and work in progress.

 

[Ludatyk]

That’s the problem. When innovating it’s best to sometimes allow legacy features to still exist unmodified. This reminds me of when MS removed or heavily modified the start menu in Windows and had to put it back in. I have used stage manager mode and don’t gel with it. Either way OS26 is still a beta and work in progress.

But that’s the tricky part… it then gets convoluted. User would have to select FOUR modes of interacting with the iPad... full screen apps, SplitView/SlideOver, Windowed Apps and then Stage Manager.

Curious what’s the issue around Stage Manager? You can remove the Recent Apps area if that bothers you… while using four finger swipe gestures to go between SplitView groups. I think when Stage Manager was introduced… turned users away immediately when they couldn’t place windows wherever they wanted.

But now that’s been remedied… I keep it enabled because of the more structured environment. Not a fan of Windowed Apps… don’t like windows/apps scattered around.

 

[fenderbass146]

The lack of 4 finger swipe has been a big annoynace and major problem. Not enough to revert to the old method, but it's annoying. IT should still work just like I can 4 finger swipe on a mac between desktop and full screenapps.

 

[Apple_Robert]

To say iPadOS 26 = is not an iPad just because the new OS isn't to your liking is not logical.

Apple didn't say that they were making iPadOS 26 the equivalent of using a Mac.

 

[richpjr]

I can understand downgrading until the final release is out, but eventually you'll have to upgrade - unless you are never planning on updating ever again.

 

[papbot]

I did use Split View occasionally. Windows is not that useful to me, but I can manipulate this to replicate Split View when I want to, so I don’t feel that I’ve lost functionality, but I do have to go through a couple more steps to do so. Others may, or may have used these functions in more detail, so I understand why there is some dissatisfaction. Overall, I really like 26 on my iPad; I find it visually very appealing, and beta 3 fixed 3 very obvious, to me, issues that I had in beta 2. I never installed the first beta release, so I didn’t have to suffer through that.

 

[bmac89]

It would be good if the options were tablet mode (fullscreen, split view, slide over) windowed mode and stage manager.

 

[throAU]

If you're not using a mouse and keyboard with the iPad, iPadOS 26 is going to be of limited improvement

 

[Ludatyk]

It would be good if the options were tablet mode (fullscreen, split view, slide over) windowed mode and stage manager.

Problem with tablet mode... you are placing one group that don't want any multitasking features. I recall seeing an article awhile back by Gruber who was highly annoyed to have multitasking features enabled.

 

[bmac89]

Problem with tablet mode... you are placing one group that don't want any multitasking features. I recall seeing an article awhile back by Gruber who was highly annoyed to have multitasking features enabled.

That doesn’t need to be a problem. I anticipated a toggle for multitasking on/off under tablet mode. In previous version you could turn off multitasking. So something like this…

* Tablet mode = Fullscreen by default with multitasking toggle on/off
* Windowed mode = Can be chosen as default or set to automatic only when keyboard/mouse attached.
* Stage manager

 

[Ludatyk]

That doesn’t need to be a problem. I anticipated a toggle for multitasking on/off under tablet mode. In previous version you could turn off multitasking. So something like this…

* Tablet mode = Fullscreen by default with multitasking toggle on/off
* Windowed mode = Can be chosen as default or set to automatic only when keyboard/mouse attached.
* Stage manager

Maybe so. But as I mentioned previously... I think you end up having confusion among iPad users who want a traditional tablet experience.

You can multitask in Windowed mode... yeah, users are unable to do SplitView & SlideOver like previous iPadOS versions. But you can get really close to that kind of experience in Windowed Mode/Stage Manager. It defeats the purpose of having Tablet Mode while multitasking from it (imo).

I think it's going to take users awhile to get accumulated to iPadOS 26... determining how to best utilize these features, but I don't think it's as worse off as folks make it seem.

 

[Macalicious2011]

Maybe so. But as I mentioned previously... I think you end up having confusion among iPad users who want a traditional tablet experience.

You can multitask in Windowed mode... yeah, users are unable to do SplitView & SlideOver like previous iPadOS versions. But you can get really close to that kind of experience in Windowed Mode/Stage Manager. It defeats the purpose of having Tablet Mode while multitasking from it (imo).

I think it's going to take users awhile to get accumulated to iPadOS 26... determining how to best utilize these features, but I don't think it's as worse off as folks make it seem.

Apple will need to balance the following:
-Familiarity
-Convenience
-Advancement

The first one is to ensure that steps forward don’t become accompanied with steps backward. Keep legacy behaviour default.

The second is ease of use and finger friendliness. E.g some of us want advanced features but want them to be quick and easy, not cumbersome. Like split view, just drag an app into the view of a current one and boom! The job is done. No fiddling with resizing or pressing tiny buttons or accessing sub menus.

Finally some of us want the iPad to behave like a Mac. If this is the aim then do it properly and not half arsed like stage managed. I never gelled with this mode and find it weird.

In the end, Apple will probably have a custom mode in the settings that will allow power users to toggle behaviours for multi tasking or window manager. This will cover for scenarios where 2-3 presets each offering a behaviour you want but not together

 

[Ludatyk]

Apple will need to balance the following:
-Familiarity
-Convenience
-Advancement

The first one is to ensure that steps forward don’t become accompanied with steps backward. Keep legacy behaviour default.

The second is ease of use and finger friendliness. E.g some of us want advanced features but want them to be quick and easy, not cumbersome. Like split view, just drag an app into the view of a current one and boom! The job is done. No fiddling with resizing or pressing tiny buttons or accessing sub menus.

Finally some of us want the iPad to behave like a Mac. If this is the aim then do it properly and not half arsed like stage managed. I never gelled with this mode and find it weird.

In the end, Apple will probably have a custom mode in the settings that will allow power users to toggle behaviours for multi tasking or window manager. This will cover for scenarios where 2-3 presets each offering a behaviour you want but not together

I'm starting to wonder... did you watch the presentation? Because Apple understands what kind of position they are in... trying to balance all those 3 things you listed.

Splitview still exist by a simple swipe to left or right on an app (not anything to extreme) and thats where convenience come into the picture. I don't buy that it's cumbersome, doesn't take much to get into Splitview. Perhaps it's the idea of trying to learn something new is throwing users off.

Because theres no fiddling around with resizing, pressing buttons or sub menus to get into SplitView. She demo this with ease using her finger and you never responded to what your issue was surrounding Stage Manager? Only that you never gelled with it.

 

[ofarlig]

Maybe so. But as I mentioned previously... I think you end up having confusion among iPad users who want a traditional tablet experience.

You can multitask in Windowed mode... yeah, users are unable to do SplitView & SlideOver like previous iPadOS versions. But you can get really close to that kind of experience in Windowed Mode/Stage Manager. It defeats the purpose of having Tablet Mode while multitasking from it (imo).

I think it's going to take users awhile to get accumulated to iPadOS 26... determining how to best utilize these features, but I don't think it's as worse off as folks make it seem.

Is there something available that mimics SlideOver? Basically one action to bring out or remove something like homeassistant, iMessage and so on. Because from what I’ve seen it looks like mostly just having another app in a window and if I want to juggle clunky windows arounds I might as well buy a Windows laptop.

 

[Ludatyk]

Is there something available that mimics SlideOver? Basically one action to bring out or remove something like homeassistant, iMessage and so on. Because from what I’ve seen it looks like mostly just having another app in a window and if I want to juggle clunky windows arounds I might as well buy a Windows laptop.

There’s this thing called Stage Manager. Fully aware that it’s frown upon… but it gives users the same experience as SlideOver, they can bring in iMessage or any other app in/out from the Recent App area.

Slide your finger from edge to screen on the left side… it will allow folks to bring in apps.

 

[ofarlig]

There’s this thing called Stage Manager. Fully aware that it’s frown upon… but it gives users the same experience as SlideOver, they can bring in iMessage or any other app in/out from the Recent App area.

Slide your finger from edge to screen on the left side… it will allow folks to bring in apps.

View attachment 2530036

Thats not the same functionality though. If I just want to reply to a message or turn a light on in HomeAssistant I don’t want to have to open a full screen app that replaces what I’m doing, especially when watching video or reading on my iPad mini.

Apple is really working on making it completely unnecessary to have an iPhone with your iPad by removing the usefulness of getting messages to it. It will be less cumbersome to just pick up my phone and reply than juggling windows.

 

[Ludatyk]

Thats not the same functionality though. If I just want to reply to a message or turn a light on in HomeAssistant I don’t want to have to open a full screen app that replaces what I’m doing, especially when watching video or reading on my iPad mini.

Let me rephrase that… not the same, but similar. And it doesn’t have to be full screen (was only showing you an example), you can keep it in a really small window… it will be saved.

Apple is really working on making it completely unnecessary to have an iPhone with your iPad by removing the usefulness of getting messages to it. It will be less cumbersome to just pick up my phone and reply than juggling windows.

I think it’s much ado about nothing. As I stated earlier… it’s just something folks have to learn. And if you want to have iMessage open, just keep it in a small window off to the side. I don’t see where you have to juggle windows… I’ve been using iPadOS 26 since launch, it’s fairly simple and intuitive to use.

 

[ofarlig]

Let me rephrase that… not the same, but similar. And it doesn’t have to be full screen (was only showing you an example), you can keep it in a really small window… it will be saved.


I think it’s much ado about nothing. As I stated earlier… it’s just something folks have to learn. And if you want to have iMessage open, just keep it in a small window off to the side. I don’t see where you have to juggle windows… I’ve been using iPadOS 26 since launch, it’s fairly simple and intuitive to use.

Seems to be more like how Samsung does floating windows then, never used it on my fold due to how clunky it was and it is one of the reasons why I went back to iPad Mini.

Will get cluttered very fast when you want every messaging app, notes and HomeAssistant easily accessible. So I still stand by Apple making multitasking worse now, won’t even be able to easily answer messages when watching YouTube.

 

[Ludatyk]

Seems to be more like how Samsung does floating windows then, never used it on my fold due to how clunky it was and it is one of the reasons why I went back to iPad Mini.

Didn't know you had the Fold.

But I think Samsung and Apple have different approaches to how floating windows work... Apple uses the Recent App area to manage windows (that's if you are using Stage Manager). But Samsung has this a floating dock to assist users.

Will get cluttered very fast when you want every messaging app, notes and HomeAssistant easily accessible. So I still stand by Apple making multitasking harder now.

That's the point of the grid (or arrange) feature... to avoid clutter.

 

[ofarlig]

Didn't know you had the Fold.

But I think Samsung and Apple have different approaches to how floating windows work... Apple uses the Recent App area to manage windows (that's if you are using Stage Manager). But Samsung has this a floating dock to assist users.

View attachment 2530044


That's the point of the grid (or arrange) feature... to avoid clutter.

View attachment 2530045

What I mean is that if I want to be able to get one floating window of some sort to reply to a message from a specific app. But if I have to use stage manager it means my entire view of open apps will be very long and it will be hard to find them since it will contain all my messaging apps as well as the apps I’m using for other things.

That’s the power of SlideOver, having quick access to all the apps you just want to get in and use and then put away. For multitasking that has been really powerful.

Overall it seems what Apple is going for is going to be be clunky than even Windows manages to be if you have to scroll through a long list of apps just to reply to a message.

 

[Ludatyk]

What I mean is that if I want to be able to get one floating window of some sort to reply to a message from a specific app. But if I have to use stage manager it means my entire view of open apps will be very long and it will be hard to find them since it will contain all my messaging apps as well as the apps I’m using for other things.

That’s the power of SlideOver, having quick access to all the apps you just want to get in and use and then put away. For multitasking that has been really powerful.

I guess we see it differently, nothing wrong with that. I stopped using SlideOver when Stage Manager was introduced... found it much easier accessing windows/apps in the Recent App area (grabbing them whenever I need it and placing them back).

Overall it seems what Apple is going for is going to be be clunky than even Windows manages to be if you have to scroll through a long list of apps just to reply to a message.

Agree to disagree. I don't find it to be clunky... maybe it's one of those scenarios Apple can't please everyone.