Hopefully (and most likely) we won't see a final release before M5 iPads arrive. So late 25 to mid 26.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPadOS 26 is an Absolute Mess
- Thread starter tweaknmod
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Looking from a IT-security perspective you'll most likley still receive updates on iOS18/iPad18 for another month or so. Apple generally stop supporting devices that can be updated when their x.1 release are out.
Define what you believe a tablet is, more specifically an iPad. The OS is what makes an iPad a tablet. If they put MacOS on an iPad, would it still be a tablet? Or just a touch screen computer with no keyboard? Where do you draw the line?
A Surface Pro would technically be considered a tablet, right? That experience is nothing like using an iPad. Because one uses a desktop OS and the other uses a TABLET OS! I believe iPads are beloved for that reason!
I would argue that once you add a keyboard and a trackpad you aren’t actually using your iPad as a tablet. You’re using it as laptop, on a tablet OS made for touch controls (which personally I find cumbersome). You can detach it, then you’re using it as a tablet again. Hence, this iPadOS 26 is more of a hybrid OS than it is a standalone tablet OS. Which is fine, I’m pro ADDING new features. But I’m anti removing core tablet features.
Last edited:
When it comes to the decision to flat out remove Splitview and Slider over: I’m struggling to understand why Apple would open themselves up to easily avoidable backlash.
I don’t understand why these new windowing features weren’t just that: a new feature. One that you could choose to use, or not use. Make it additive. But if you feel it’s not for you, your iPad would still function the way it has for the past 10 years otherwise.
I don’t understand why these new windowing features weren’t just that: a new feature. One that you could choose to use, or not use. Make it additive. But if you feel it’s not for you, your iPad would still function the way it has for the past 10 years otherwise.
Last edited:
Forced adoption of the new norm? Creating a need for pushing m5-6 processors etc? If people complain about the messing with their purchased devices, they get the “why dont you go back to single app mode we kept that for you” so i guess pr problem solved. Judging by the responses in this thread it really is working.
I think the reason why it's difficult for you to understand because you are not a fan of this new multitasking system... those that prefer Splitview and SlideOver will never accept any reason why it was removed.
For me the case seems simple, Apple wanted a straightforward setup in place. If you look back in iPadOS 18... there were 3 options from Full Screen Mode, Splitview & SlideOver and Stage Manager. But in order to do what you suggested... they would end up having 4 selection to choose from and I don't think Apple wanted that.
That’s the crux of the whole issue. No matter what, they will not accept any reason, logical or otherwise because it’s not what they have been doing for 10 years.
Yep. I’ve explained numerous times why the current system is cleaner and better long term. Each is just an extension of the previous. If one has any OO design experience it’s evident in the current implementation. Supporting SlideOver is akin to Microsoft keeping around legacy code to support 32-bit apps.
There is nothing logical about forced replacement of my property with another that i did not consent to or desire.
and if i refuse to let them replace it, they will not be providing updates for my device six months after purchase.
You could really skip the gaslighting.
Not every iPad has M series processors. I’m not against pushing iPad pros to their limit.
It’s the iPad and iPad mini line that I am mainly asking what are we doing here with this OS?
Being a fan or not a fan of the multitasking system has nothing to do with it. Even if I thought it was amazing, it still doesn’t make sense to remove features.
So going from 3 to 4 options is where they draw the line in the sand? in your opinion, 3 is straightforward but 4 is not? to add something new, the only option is to take something else away??
it really isn’t. It’s just a simpler way to get 2 apps side by side and have a floating window you can slide in and out of.
How does making the windows more adjustable make Split View and slide over a problem they need to get rid of? That argument makes no sense.
Not to mention, Samsung’s OneUI has worked this way for years now. You can easily do split screen and a floating slide over, or turn any of those into fully adjustable windowed apps. It’s actually incredibly easy to manage in comparison to iPadOS 26.
What is logical about floating windows on an iPad mini using touch controls?
You not being a fan of the new multitasking system proves everything. Because if you thought the features were amazing... then it justifies the removal of the old system.
If you asking for my opinion, I think the less options is better. But you are aware having too many options can overwhelm a user?
So asking for letting people use their device they way they bought it (and for the reason that they bought it) is fanboy illogical behavior, and an opt-in switch to enable such feature is overwhelming to a user? Are ipad users only five year olds in your example? Then they probably wont appreciate the new os at all, right?
Last edited:
Oh please. The OS isn’t your property and OSes drop/add features all the time. It’s not stagnant.
So skip the hyperbole.
The thing is... operating software is subject to change every year due to updates, back in iOS 9... Apple introduced this slide over multitasking system that later got removed.
And as always, users who don't care to use the new multitasking features... have the option to disable it and use Full Screen model.
I am not talking about the OS and you absolutely know it,
Still gaslighting lol. What hyperbole? This thing cost me 1000€. Why am i not entitled to using it the way i intended to when i bought it? Do tell.
I clearly said anyone with OO design experience will see it. I’ll try one last time. When implementing something new, you always evaluate supporting old functionality and its implications for long term support and mainteance. It’s often better to make a hard cutover and start fresh. Samsung chose their own multitasking system and it has nothing to do with Apple’s.
Each current windowing mode in 26 is an extension of the previous. Full Screen -> Windowed -> Stage Manager. Controlling those windows and moving are the same as the user controls what goes where and not the OS restricting. Windowed full screen apps have their town “space”. If you resize an app to less than full screen, then it fits into the same space. But the full screen apps still exist in their own. This is why when you first open an app it goes into it’s own space and you have to resize to do split screen. You can easily swipe between them with 5 fingers. Stage Manager extends that to allow you to have multiple windows per space regardless of if they are full screen. That’s why you can open up multiple full screen apps in the same stage and split screening is ridiculously simple. You then have multiple Stages that can have any combination of windows (all full screen if you want). I can guarantee if Apple introduced this at first there would be no complaints.
Split Screen/Slide Over do not fit into that hierarchy as it would then required supporting different gestures and back go the old compliance of restricting windows based on what it thinks the user wants. So you either support it or you drop and go fresh. Right now Apple went fresh.
Are you being serious? Just because it might be legal, makes it ok and decent and we are not allowed to call them out on it?
no, it does not. Completely disagree. That’s how you justify it. You believe that since you like it, anyone who doesn’t should just deal with it. My stance is the opposite. If you like it, that’s great! Use it that way. But allow me to use it the way that 10 years of refinement offered before this update.
What harm to your experience using your iPad would having the option to turn on slide over and Split View actually present? Zero.
Overwhelm the user? What do you think I dislike about iPadOS 26? LOL
No, the slide over concept got refined and replaced with better version, not removed altogether.
It was a useful multitasking technique that the new OS does not offer a replacement for.
Where did I say you can’t call them out on it? You can camp outside Cupertino with flags if you like but I wouldn’t expect them to change when they have told you what to expect.
Thanks but i prefer to call them out here. You didn’t answer my question though. Feel free to show solidarity if you feel that what I am saying has any merit.