iPadOS 26 Expands Stage Manager to These iPad Models

[MacRumors]

As noted in a Reddit thread earlier this month, iPadOS 26 expands Stage Manager to all iPad models compatible with the software update.

Stage Manager on iPadOS 16 from the WWDC 2022 keynote​

On iPadOS 18, Stage Manager is limited to the following iPad models:

• 13-inch iPad Pro (M4 chip)
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation and later)
• 11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later)
• iPad Air (5th generation and later)

On iPadOS 26, Stage Manager is available on the following iPad models:

• 13-inch iPad Pro (M4 chip)
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation and later)
• 11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later)
• iPad (8th generation and later)

iPadOS 26 introduced an all-new app windowing system on all iPad models compatible with the software update, allowing users to freely resize and rearrange multiple windows in a single space, like on a Mac. Stage Manager remains available as an option for users who prefer it, though, and now it is available on a wider range of iPad models.

Stage Manager lets you arrange multiple app windows in groups, across multiple spaces, providing a more organized and focused multitasking experience. On iPadOS 26, you can switch to Stage Manager mode via the Settings app. When using Stage Manager mode, apps still benefit from the new windowing features, including "traffic light" controls.

Apple introduced Stage Manager with iPadOS 16. The feature was initially limited to iPad models with an M1 chip and newer, but Apple expanded it to iPad Pro models with an A12X or A12Z chip with iPadOS 16.1, in response to customer feedback. However, the ability to use Stage Manager on an iPad connected to an external display is limited to models with an M1 chip or newer, and that remains the case even on iPadOS 26.

Apple previously said that Stage Manager was limited to higher-end iPad models due to performance considerations. The company said that it tested Stage Manager on some older iPad models and felt that the experience did not meet the company's high quality standards. Evidently, Apple has now changed its mind.

iPadOS 26 is currently in beta. The update will likely be released in September.

Article Link: iPadOS 26 Expands Stage Manager to These iPad Models

 

[MacUserFella]

Makes you wonder why they didn’t just make Stage Manager available for every iPad when it first released

 

[EugW]

Stage Manager lets you arrange multiple app windows in groups, across multiple spaces, providing a more organized and focused multitasking experience. However, you cannot bounce back and forth between the new windowing system and Stage Manager on iPadOS 26, and instead can only choose one or the other in the Settings app.

I don't get the point of having two independent windowing systems like this.

 

[Zc456]

This is still very confusing, but okay.

I don't get the point of having two independent windowing systems like this.

Transitional thing.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

I don't get the point of having two independent windowing systems like this.

This is still very confusing, but okay.



Transitional thing.

I've once again made an update after your comment @EugW.

Hopefully this is more clear:

Stage Manager lets you arrange multiple app windows in groups, across multiple spaces, providing a more organized and focused multitasking experience. On iPadOS 26, you can switch to Stage Manager mode via the Settings app. When using Stage Manager mode, apps still benefit from the new windowing features, including "traffic light" controls.

 

[calvin2006]

I don't get the point of having two independent windowing systems like this.

It’s the same now as on the Mac. You can turn off stage manager and have independent windows, or you can turn it on and have the new window system with stage manager. Personally, I really like having it on so it keeps apps in certain groups that I can define.

 

[EugW]

I've once again made an update after your comment @EugW.

Hopefully this is more clear:

It’s the same now as on the Mac. You can turn off stage manager and have independent windows, or you can turn it on and have the new window system with stage manager. Personally, I really like having it on so it keeps apps in certain groups that I can define.

Yes, that does make more sense. However, I must admit I've never been a fan of macOS Stage Manager either.

 

[MikeDr206]

Wish they kept slide over as an option. It’s all I need and I use it a lot. Don’t need windowing or menu bar.

 

[calvin2006]

Wish they kept slide over as an option. It’s all I need and I use it a lot. Don’t need windowing or menu bar.

It’s easy to duplicate that functionality with the new system. Just new muscle memory is all.

 

[rp2011]

Stage manager should have never been released. It’s terrible. Glad they finally gave in to traditional windowing. They need to stop with deprecating their products for the sake of their “ philosophy, at least for the pro devices. Just get out of the way and allow the consumer to have the tools to make them the most productive instead of a “philosophy” on what tools we should or should not have.

 

[calvin2006]

By that argument, they should offer stage manager as an option. That gives us a choice of what tools we use or don’t use, as opposed to eliminating it.

 

[rhinosrcool]

Well, I love it on my 13" Ipad Air. Also, I'm going to love it on my Ipad Air 4 and Ipad mini 6. So, good going Apple.

 

[jmonster]

Now that you bought a new iPad, if you were going to, well go ahead and do that thing we said for years we couldn't do..

Riiiiight...

 

[calvin2006]

Yes, it’s a massive upgrade on my M4 iPad Pro. It’s better in every way, both UI/UX and productivity.

 

[teknikal90]

can the ipad a16 do dual monitors?

 

[EugW]

can the ipad a16 do dual monitors?

Mirroring only. Need iPad Pro for monitor spanning.

BTW, on the iPad Pro, monitor spanning is really crashy. Basically unusable with the dev 1 beta IMO.

Before it crashes though, it does look pretty. Here is the M4 iPP with 2010 27" iMac in Target Display Mode. Audio from Netflix even will play out the iMac's speakers.

 

[calvin2006]

That does look great. I haven’t tested it out yet, but using my Mac to control my iPad with the Mac’s keyboard and mouse has worked well so far on both my iPad Pro and my iPad Mini.

 

[teknikal90]

Mirroring only. Need iPad Pro for monitor spanning.

BTW, on the iPad Pro, monitor spanning is really crashy. Basically unusable with the dev 1 beta IMO.

View attachment 2522210

Before it crashes though, it does look pretty. Here is the M4 iPP with 2010 27" iMac in Target Display Mode. Audio from Netflix even will play out the iMac's speakers.

thanks for this!! I'm watching this new iPadOS with a lot of intrigue. It feels like it's finally getting to a point to finally becoming a do-everything-device. Perhaps the average consumer is only 2 or 3 years away from no longer needing a personal macbook. They'll just have their personal iphone, personal iPad, and work laptop.

 

[Hank001]

This makes me sad. It's either a checkbox, or a radio button.

 

[roklanhavok]

It shows us that controversial stage manager isn't going anywhere, which I'm happy about. I'm a software developer who has found that stage manager on the Mac, while imperfect, is far superior for me than not having stage manager on. It's not that I love it with all my heart, it's that the functions it performs become necessary after you get used to it.

 

[JOLoughlin]

Just looking at that mockup I'm already dropping it, breaking it and pre-filing for repair service.

 

[Astuces iOS]

As noted in a Reddit thread earlier this month, iPadOS 26 expands Stage Manager to all iPad models compatible with the software update.

Stage Manager on iPadOS 16 from the WWDC 2022 keynote​

On iPadOS 18, Stage Manager is limited to the following iPad models:

• 13-inch iPad Pro (M4 chip)
  
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation and later)
  
• 11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later)
  
• iPad Air (5th generation and later)

On iPadOS 26, Stage Manager is available on the following iPad models:

• 13-inch iPad Pro (M4 chip)
  
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation and later)
  
• 11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later)
  
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
  
• iPad mini (5th generation and later)
  
• iPad (8th generation and later)

iPadOS 26 introduced an all-new app windowing system on all iPad models compatible with the software update, allowing users to freely resize and rearrange multiple windows in a single space, like on a Mac. Stage Manager remains available as an option for users who prefer it, though, and now it is available on a wider range of iPad models.

Stage Manager lets you arrange multiple app windows in groups, across multiple spaces, providing a more organized and focused multitasking experience. On iPadOS 26, you can switch to Stage Manager mode via the Settings app. When using Stage Manager mode, apps still benefit from the new windowing features, including "traffic light" controls.

Apple introduced Stage Manager with iPadOS 16. The feature was initially limited to iPad models with an M1 chip and newer, but Apple expanded it to iPad Pro models with an A12X or A12Z chip with iPadOS 16.1, in response to customer feedback. However, the ability to use Stage Manager on an iPad connected to an external display is limited to models with an M1 chip or newer, and that remains the case even on iPadOS 26.

Apple previously said that Stage Manager was limited to higher-end iPad models due to performance considerations. The company said that it tested Stage Manager on some older iPad models and felt that the experience did not meet the company's high quality standards. Evidently, Apple has now changed its mind.

iPadOS 26 is currently in beta. The update will likely be released in September.

Article Link: iPadOS 26 Expands Stage Manager to These iPad Models

With nuggets, we knew this was possible on EVERY iPad... looks like Apple finally realized.

 

[Thanatoast]

Finally get action on the mini! Sweet

 

[GMShadow]

The windowing system was re-engineered for 26, which probably made it more realistic to work on 3GB RAM devices.

 

[ipedro]

After using Stage Manager on my Mac and getting used to it, I now have a consistent workflow across devices. I would prefer if iPadOS supported Spaces like on a Mac but Stage Manager will have to do. I prefer it to the Windowed Apps in iPadOS 26. Need a place to store sets of apps together, not piled behind one another.