iPadOS 26 is an Absolute Mess

[Ludatyk]

Another thing I find kind of irritating about iPadOS 26 is that you’re effectively allowed only one pair of Split View apps at the time, whereas on iPadOS 18, you could have unlimited pairs of Split View apps.

For example, in iPadOS 18, I’d have several pairs of Split View apps such as:

• Netflix + Messages
• Stocks + Calculator
• Email + Numbers

And I could conveniently swipe between pairs of apps using the home indicator at the bottom of the display.

However, with iPadOS 26, you’re essentially allowed only one pair of Split View apps at a time. So the workspace setup I described above really isn’t possible anymore.

I know some will say that the solution to this is Stage Manager, but Stage Manager comes with its own set of UX tradeoffs that I’d rather avoid.

Either way, managing multiple pairs of Split View apps is a lot more challenging than it was under iPadOS 18.

Let me make sure I’m understanding this correctly… your first statement was not necessarily true because later you mention there is possibly a solution to it.

And you presented an example, but no mention of those UX tradeoffs with Stage Manager you would like to avoid.

 

[TigerMSTR]

Let me make sure I’m understanding this correctly… your first statement was not necessarily true because later you mention there is possibly a solution to it.

And you presented an example, but no mention of those UX tradeoffs with Stage Manager you would like to avoid.

Stage Manager isn’t a good solution, because the Stage Manager user interface is poorly designed in iPadOS 26.

For example, Stage Manager creates a lot of conflicts with other system gestures, which makes navigating the operating system rather unpredictable:

• “Flicking” an app to the left is supposed to snap it to the left half of the display. However with Stage Manager enabled, that same gesture can also move a window to a different stage.
• Dragging in from the left edge of the display is supposed to go back in the application navigation stack, however with Stage Manager enabled, that same gesture can also be used to drag the list of active stages into view.
• Dragging in from the left edge of an app is supposed to allow us to resize an app, but with Stage Manager enabled that same gesture can also be used to drag the list of active stages into view, depending on where the app is positioned.
• Dragging an application from the top is supposed to move that application, but with Stage Manager enabled that same gesture can also be used to drag the list of active stages into view, depending on where the app is positioned.

Finally, when using Stage Manager, it’s incumbent upon the user to consistently maintain the windows in each stage. The user must make sure that windows don’t unintentionally leave any stages, and they must also make sure that windows aren’t unintentionally put into other stages. This is a lot of cognitive effort that wasn’t necessary in iPadOS 18, to do the workflow I described in my previous posts.

For these reasons I do not find Stage Manager to be a good solution to the problem I described in my previous post.

 

[TigerMSTR]

In iPadOS 18, when an app was in fullscreen, you could create a Split View by simply dragging a second app out of the dock.

In iPadOS 26, this is no longer possible. When fullscreen in one app (App A), and dragging a second app (App B) out of the dock, one of three things happens:

• The new app (App B) is opened a smaller window on top of the existing app, or
• The new app (App B) is opened as a fullscreen app in a totally new space. This means you’re no longer in the same space as the initial app (App A). or
• Nothing happens. Dragging an app out of the dock will do nothing.

Which of the above three things will happen is seemingly unpredictable. I’ve been using iPadOS 26 for weeks, and up to now I’ve not been able to figure out why or when any of the above three things will happen. This unpredictability makes navigating the operating system rather challenging.

Anyways, once you eventually have both apps (App A and App B) as windows in the same workspace, you’re finally able to create a Split View by long pressing the traffic lights.

So when the user is in a fullscreen app, creating a Split View is now significantly more unpredictable and challenging than it was under iPadOS 18.

On a personal note I’ll add that, despite iPadOS 26 windowing, on paper being more capable that Split View in iPadOS 18, this unpredictability means that I’m now spending a lot more time using my iPad as a unitasking device than I did under iPadOS 18, since using one app at a time avoids most of the friction I’ve described above and in other posts.

 

[Ludatyk]

Stage Manager isn’t a good solution, because the Stage Manager user interface is poorly designed in iPadOS 26.

Let's first start with the goal you looking to achieve... having unlimited pairs of SplitView apps, is that possible using Stage Manager? I believe the answer is yes.

• “Flicking” an app to the left is supposed to snap it to the left half of the display. However with Stage Manager enabled, that same gesture can also move a window to a different stage.

And I just tried doing this... and was able to move it to the left side easily. And the other option is to use the keyboard shortcut... Globe+Control+Shift+left arrow to snap it to the left half as well.

• Dragging in from the left edge of the display is supposed to go back in the application navigation stack, however with Stage Manager enabled, that same gesture can also be used to drag the list of active stages into view.

But you are not dragging it... its a similar gesture to flicking up on the bottom to activate Exposé (or App Switcher). I think you are overcomplicating something that's very straight forward.

This is a lot of cognitive effort that wasn’t necessary in iPadOS 18, to do the workflow I described in my previous posts.

One thing you are failing to understand... is the limitation surrounding pre-existing multitasking, that's why iPadOS has been criticized for the better part of a decade (maybe more) specifically due to multitasking.

In iPadOS 18, when an app was in fullscreen, you could create a Split View by simply dragging a second app out of the dock.

In iPadOS 26, this is no longer possible. When fullscreen in one app (App A), and dragging a second app (App B) out of the dock, one of three things happens:

• The new app (App B) is opened a smaller window on top of the existing app, or
• The new app (App B) is opened as a fullscreen app in a totally new space. This means you’re no longer in the same space as the initial app (App A). or
• Nothing happens. Dragging an app out of the dock will do nothing.

Well, they do have a different multitasking system. If your intended purpose is doing a SplitView in iPadOS 26.. why not have App A already on the left side when you bring in App B... that way all you have to do is flick App B to the right.

And the cool thing about this new multitasking system in iPadOS 26 is that it remembers the window size you had previously.

Which of the above three things will happen is seemingly unpredictable. I’ve been using iPadOS 26 for weeks, and up to now I’ve not been able to figure out why or when any of the above three things will happen. This unpredictability makes navigating the operating system rather challenging.

I don't believe it's unpredictable nor challenging... do you use external monitor with your iPad?

 

[Jedimindtrick]

I love what I’ve seen for the new direction for iPadOS 26. Don’t stop Apple, keep going! Push it further! The more power user options, the better IMO. When I first saw the keynote I thought: that’s what I’m talking about! Finally!

About a year ago I finally admitted to myself that while I love MacOS, my iPhone, my Apple TVs, etc. I just feel like my investments into the iPad Pro line was a letdown. I felt it never lived up to the hopes I had for it. So I bought a used Galaxy Tab S9 to try something else. I know this will be met with criticism here, but as a long time iPad user, the Galaxy S tablet, and more specifically Samsung’s One UI and Dex, are just a better product. Android and One UI have come a long way, when I used to turn my nose at them. I have since sold all my iPads and iPad Pros in favor of various different Galaxy Tab S models.

I think iPadOS 26 may be able to steer me back to using an iPad Pro as my main device. But as of now, the versatility of Dex is just too awesome. For example, Being able to in a pinch wirelessly convert the tablet into a mousepad and keyboard for Dex, it’s just cool stuff! I used it on vacation at the hotel on their Samsung TV it was just so easy to use. It was a wow that’s so cool moment that I really never had with the iPad. Being able to emulate all my old PlayStation 2 games and GameCube games with my kids has been fun as well. Made the flight a lot more fun. And there’s so many little quality of life things I commend Samsung for figuring out. I especially appreciate that tablet mode and Dex are two distinct, separate interfaces that you switch to and from, as opposed to trying to merge them into one convoluted UI, which is how I feel iPadOS is.

I would love Apple to have some version of Dex, because I know they would do it even better! but I know they would never do it, which is why I had to admit defeat and move on from the platform.

 

[Jedimindtrick]

I completely agree with your take

The problem is that there is no solution here. The more they make the iPad Mac-like the more it ruins the iPad for those that love it for what it is and has been traditionally.

All they are doing is changing where it falls on that spectrum.

In the meantime, for those of us with an iPad mini, they are making things worse.

This is where I was as well. I really enjoyed my iPad and iPad minis. Once they started putting M series chips in iPad Pros, making them 13 inch screens, adding keyboards and trackpads and charging $1,200 for them, I bought into the idea of them being more.

Unfortunately it never landed for me. Using an iPad or mini, as tablet, that was enjoyable and intuitive. What has come since, not so much.

I like where ipados is headed for those who invested so much into their 13 inch M4 iPad pro, apple pencil, magic keyboard, that's nearly a $2,000 set up, I want more for those customers.

But for iPad and iPad mini, it's too messy. Which is why I really like Samsungs approach! Tablet mode and Dex are two completely separate interfaces, almost like dual booting. Tablet mode is very traditional touch controls, similar to iPadOS of old. Dex is designed entirely for mouse and keyboard and excells at that for those who want to use it that way. I wish Apple would just separate the two as well.

 

[Ctrlos]

They have all that screen real estate and still insist on directly chipping things from the iPhone. 26 has admittedly grown on me but why doesn’t control centre let you use the whole display? Why do we still have outdated lockscreen notifications like a giant phone? Why not put them on the same screen as the control centre?

 

[jaymc]

iPad 26 Beta 6 developer is out...

 

[papbot]

The only issue I’m still seeing in beta 6, been there through all of them, is that, when swiping between Home Screens, icons within folders still have to redraw themselves before appearing. Takes less than a second but immediately noticeable. Everything else looks really good.

 

[DaSal]

The multitasking experience for iPad OS26 really is a disaster, for many of the reasons people mentioned before. Anyone else claiming otherwise must either (i) not use the iPad for real productivity (ii) not used multitasking in tablet mode (without a keyboard connected) or (iii) is a shill.

The main thing is just how cluttered and difficult to understand it is. How inconsistent the behaviors are. I feel like you can never know what to expect. Will it open an app on top of your current app, or fullscreen? If it opens it on top, where on the screen? What happens to the rest of the apps? Sometimes they’re layered under the active app, sometimes they go to some sort of other “space” - which isn’t accessible.

Gestures don’t work half the time because they conflict with something else. For instance resizing a window is often conflicting with gestures.

For however bad it was, Stage Manager in the previous OS was better. I know you can still turn on stage manager in iPadOS 26, but that makes it even worse. The amount of usable space when both multitasking + stage manager is turned on is so tiny that it’s basically useless.

 

[achappy]

The multitasking experience for iPad OS26 really is a disaster, for many of the reasons people mentioned before. Anyone else claiming otherwise must either (i) not use the iPad for real productivity (ii) not used multitasking in tablet mode (without a keyboard connected) or (iii) is a shill.

The main thing is just how cluttered and difficult to understand it is. How inconsistent the behaviors are. I feel like you can never know what to expect. Will it open an app on top of your current app, or fullscreen? If it opens it on top, where on the screen? What happens to the rest of the apps? Sometimes they’re layered under the active app, sometimes they go to some sort of other “space” - which isn’t accessible.

Gestures don’t work half the time because they conflict with something else. For instance resizing a window is often conflicting with gestures.

For however bad it was, Stage Manager in the previous OS was better. I know you can still turn on stage manager in iPadOS 26, but that makes it even worse. The amount of usable space when both multitasking + stage manager is turned on is so tiny that it’s basically useless.

When I read posts like this (i) I wonder do people actually take the time to learn how something works or (ii) actually really used it for more than five minutes. It's been pretty simple for me. If an app has never been opened it's full screen. Once you resize it will always open up to that size and location. Stage manager is absolutely much better than on iOS18 and that's been my primary use as I use stages like desktops on macOS. Keyboard or not I can use the multitasking with no issue. The useable space with Windowed vs Stage Manager is identical except for the "stages" so that also points me to (ii) above.

Before I got my 13" M4 iPad, I was using a 12.9" M1 and iPadOS 26 with a keyboard 100% of the time. The M4 is so light and then that I've actually been using it without the keyboard probably about 40% (when I'm just relaxing watching TV and browsing). Multitasking in both cases have been an absolute joy to use and I have no problem switching between keyboard or touch. My 18yr old son has been using iPadOS 26 on my old M1 and he said after about "30 minutes or so" seeing how it's different than what he's used to he said "this is so much better than before! I don't have to be restricted to just split screen for multiple apps for school." BTW, he hates the keyboard except to type so he was doing everything with touch.

 

[papbot]

When I read posts like this (i) I wonder do people actually take the time to learn how something works or (ii) actually really used it for more than five minutes. It's been pretty simple for me. If an app has never been opened it's full screen. Once you resize it will always open up to that size and location. Stage manager is absolutely much better than on iOS18 and that's been my primary use as I use stages like desktops on macOS. Keyboard or not I can use the multitasking with no issue. The useable space with Windowed vs Stage Manager is identical except for the "stages" so that also points me to (ii) above.

Before I got my 13" M4 iPad, I was using a 12.9" M1 and iPadOS 26 with a keyboard 100% of the time. The M4 is so light and then that I've actually been using it without the keyboard probably about 40% (when I'm just relaxing watching TV and browsing). Multitasking in both cases have been an absolute joy to use and I have no problem switching between keyboard or touch. My 18yr old son has been using iPadOS 26 on my old M1 and he said after about "30 minutes or so" seeing how it's different than what he's used to he said "this is so much better than before! I don't have to be restricted to just split screen for multiple apps for school." BTW, he hates the keyboard except to type so he was doing everything with touch.

I agree with you. I don’t normally use these features, I had used split screen some previously, but wanted to check them out. Just replicating split screen was easy when I understood how. The other aspects I just had to use to get familiar with, and I could see how those who do use such features would find them quite useful. For me most of those abilities are not necessary so I’m in full screen apps most of the time. But it’s really nice to be able to switch back and forth using Control Center.

 

[DaSal]

When I read posts like this (i) I wonder do people actually take the time to learn how something works or (ii) actually really used it for more than five minutes. It's been pretty simple for me. If an app has never been opened it's full screen. Once you resize it will always open up to that size and location. Stage manager is absolutely much better than on iOS18 and that's been my primary use as I use stages like desktops on macOS. Keyboard or not I can use the multitasking with no issue. The useable space with Windowed vs Stage Manager is identical except for the "stages" so that also points me to (ii) above.

Before I got my 13" M4 iPad, I was using a 12.9" M1 and iPadOS 26 with a keyboard 100% of the time. The M4 is so light and then that I've actually been using it without the keyboard probably about 40% (when I'm just relaxing watching TV and browsing). Multitasking in both cases have been an absolute joy to use and I have no problem switching between keyboard or touch. My 18yr old son has been using iPadOS 26 on my old M1 and he said after about "30 minutes or so" seeing how it's different than what he's used to he said "this is so much better than before! I don't have to be restricted to just split screen for multiple apps for school." BTW, he hates the keyboard except to type so he was doing everything with touch.

I don’t understand how you can honestly claim that the previous multitasking wasn’t better in tablet (touch) mode.

How it used to work:

- Fullscreen app is open.
- To add second app, drag it from dock - it automatically makes a Split View.

Done!

Is the current version:

- Open one app - it’s going to be windowed.
- Open another app, it’s going to be windowed, too.
- Spend time resizing the first app to be 3/4 of the screen. You might have problems being unable to grab the handle easily near the bottom of the screen because the dock will keep popping up in the way.
- Repeat the same process for the second app.
(There might be a third or fourth app in the background making it visually confusing and or more difficult to click and drag the correct window).

With a third app it became even harder:

In the old version:

- Drag a third app into side view.
- Swipe it in and out on demand.

In the new version:

- Click a third app in the dock.
- It might open full screen or in a window, depending.
- If it opens full screen: this ruined your previous Split View and you’ll have to resize it and put it somewhere handy.
- When you want to dismiss it, the only way is to close it and reopen it. You can’t just swipe it away like you used to be able to.

Besides that, you can’t easily have multiple spaces with multiple Split View apps and side view apps. It’s just ‘one’ space.

But more than anything else they still haven’t fixed the typing focus issue that has plagued iPad OS for ages and it’s just more jarring with the more laptop-like multitasking.

Even on iPadOS it frequently happens that you cannot type in a window even though it’s the active window and it shows the cursor in the window. Just today it’s happened twice that I selected the address bar in a Safari window but it wouldn’t let me type in it. The only way to solve it was to close the window and re-open it.

It seems to be related to video playback, as it often happens if I have a video playing in another window, like YouTube or Netflix. It’s extremely frustrating that this still hasn’t been fixed. It also doesn’t always happen so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what causes it.

 

[DaSal]

I don’t understand how you can honestly claim that the previous multitasking wasn’t better in tablet (touch) mode.

How it used to work:

- Fullscreen app is open.
- To add second app, drag it from dock - it automatically makes a Split View.

Done!

Is the current version:

- Open one app - it’s going to be windowed.
- Open another app, it’s going to be windowed, too.
- Spend time resizing the first app to be 3/4 of the screen. You might have problems being unable to grab the handle easily near the bottom of the screen because the dock will keep popping up in the way.
- Repeat the same process for the second app.
(There might be a third or fourth app in the background making it visually confusing and or more difficult to click and drag the correct window).

With a third app it became even harder:

In the old version:

- Drag a third app into side view.
- Swipe it in and out on demand.

In the new version:

- Click a third app in the dock.
- It might open full screen or in a window, depending.
- If it opens full screen: this ruined your previous Split View and you’ll have to resize it and put it somewhere handy.
- When you want to dismiss it, the only way is to close it and reopen it. You can’t just swipe it away like you used to be able to.

Besides that, you can’t easily have multiple spaces with multiple Split View apps and side view apps. It’s just ‘one’ space.

But more than anything else they still haven’t fixed the typing focus issue that has plagued iPad OS for ages and it’s just more jarring with the more laptop-like multitasking.

Even on iPadOS it frequently happens that you cannot type in a window even though it’s the active window and it shows the cursor in the window. Just today it’s happened twice that I selected the address bar in a Safari window but it wouldn’t let me type in it. The only way to solve it was to close the window and re-open it.

It seems to be related to video playback, as it often happens if I have a video playing in another window, like YouTube or Netflix. It’s extremely frustrating that this still hasn’t been fixed. It also doesn’t always happen so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what causes it.

Also, try opening YouTube in Split View on the left with safari on the right. Now make a video fullscreen.

Now try using the ‘minimize’ arrow in the top left of the screen.

It’s almost impossible to click the minimize arrow because the stoplight buttons will keep popping up over it.

 

[DaSal]

+ It’s difficult to quickly put apps in Split View because of inconsistencies in how resizing works.

If you grab a window on the right side and try to resize it to make it more narrow; it *sometimes* resizes by only subtracting with from the right. So the left window edge will remain in place. And *sometimes* it will resize by adjusting both edges at the same time.

So it’s not always easy to set a window 3/4 size when it resizes from the center instead of from the edge.

At first I thought this behavior was dependent on the initial size of the window (i.e. windowed or full screen) - but no it’s actually random. Sometimes safari windows resize form the edges and sometimes from the center

 

[turbineseaplane]

I don’t understand how you can honestly claim that the previous multitasking wasn’t better in tablet (touch) mode.

How it used to work:

- Fullscreen app is open.
- To add second app, drag it from dock - it automatically makes a Split View.

Done!

Is the current version:

- Open one app - it’s going to be windowed.
- Open another app, it’s going to be windowed, too.
- Spend time resizing the first app to be 3/4 of the screen. You might have problems being unable to grab the handle easily near the bottom of the screen because the dock will keep popping up in the way.
- Repeat the same process for the second app.
(There might be a third or fourth app in the background making it visually confusing and or more difficult to click and drag the correct window).

With a third app it became even harder:

In the old version:

- Drag a third app into side view.
- Swipe it in and out on demand.

In the new version:

- Click a third app in the dock.
- It might open full screen or in a window, depending.
- If it opens full screen: this ruined your previous Split View and you’ll have to resize it and put it somewhere handy.
- When you want to dismiss it, the only way is to close it and reopen it. You can’t just swipe it away like you used to be able to.

Besides that, you can’t easily have multiple spaces with multiple Split View apps and side view apps. It’s just ‘one’ space.

But more than anything else they still haven’t fixed the typing focus issue that has plagued iPad OS for ages and it’s just more jarring with the more laptop-like multitasking.

Even on iPadOS it frequently happens that you cannot type in a window even though it’s the active window and it shows the cursor in the window. Just today it’s happened twice that I selected the address bar in a Safari window but it wouldn’t let me type in it. The only way to solve it was to close the window and re-open it.

It seems to be related to video playback, as it often happens if I have a video playing in another window, like YouTube or Netflix. It’s extremely frustrating that this still hasn’t been fixed. It also doesn’t always happen so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what causes it.

The multitasking changes alone, ignoring all the Liquid Glass stuff I don't like, are enough to keep my iPad Mini 5 on iPadOS18.

On a screen that size, the existing multitasking options are perfect and full windowing is a total downgrade in usability.

 

[Ludatyk]

Also, try opening YouTube in Split View on the left with safari on the right. Now make a video fullscreen.

Now try using the ‘minimize’ arrow in the top left of the screen.

It’s almost impossible to click the minimize arrow because the stoplight buttons will keep popping up over it.

Are you aware you can swipe down on that full screen video to minimize it? You don't necessarily have to use the minimize arrow on the top left.

The multitasking changes alone, ignoring all the Liquid Glass stuff I don't like, are enough to keep my iPad Mini 5 on iPadOS18.

On a screen that size, the existing multitasking options are perfect and full windowing is a total downgrade in usability.

Different strokes for different folks... I did a quick search and found out some iPad Mini users consider iPadOS 26 multitasking a massive upgrade (especially the menu bar).

 

[DaSal]

Are you aware you can swipe down on that full screen video to minimize it? You don't necessarily have to use the minimize arrow on the top left.


Different strokes for different folks... I did a quick search and found out some iPad Mini users consider iPadOS 26 multitasking a massive upgrade (especially the menu bar).

Why should I have to swipe down with touch while using a multitasking feature designed for keyboard and trackpad? Now you’re just suggesting that we use workarounds for a poor implementation of multitasking on Apple’s part.

Let me remind you that none of these things are issues on MacOS.

I’m sure it’ll get better - but it’s undercooked, and it shouldn’t be released in this state. Certainly not while removing the old Split View and side car features. If it still had those older features I wouldn’t be upset. But they removed something that worked solidly, smoothly, and effortlessly. And they replaced it with something that’s undercooked, full of bugs and inconsistencies - and worst of all, it doesn’t actually meaningfully improve productivity compared to sidecar in the older OS while making the same actions take 3 or 4 times as long, and a lot more fussy and frustrating and annoying to do.

 

[TigerMSTR]

Why should I have to swipe down with touch while using a multitasking feature designed for keyboard and trackpad? Now you’re just suggesting that we use workarounds for a poor implementation of multitasking on Apple’s part.

Let me remind you that none of these things are issues on MacOS.

I’m sure it’ll get better - but it’s undercooked, and it shouldn’t be released in this state. Certainly not while removing the old Split View and side car features. If it still had those older features I wouldn’t be upset. But they removed something that worked solidly, smoothly, and effortlessly. And they replaced it with something that’s undercooked, full of bugs and inconsistencies - and worst of all, it doesn’t actually meaningfully improve productivity compared to sidecar in the older OS while making the same actions take 3 or 4 times as long, and a lot more fussy and frustrating and annoying to do.

iPadOS 26 is the first version of iPadOS that, in my opinion, should have a very clear downgrade path to the old version of iPadOS. This update is going to ruin a lot of people’s workflows in the fall and, quite frankly, it’s not ready for release. Apple needs to sit down a figure out the UX some more; it’s a mess as is.

 

[Ludatyk]

Why should I have to swipe down with touch while using a multitasking feature designed for keyboard and trackpad? Now you’re just suggesting that we use workarounds for a poor implementation of multitasking on Apple’s part.

Workaround? It's just another option. You presented us with an example and think that using the minimize arrow is the only solution available.

I’m sure it’ll get better - but it’s undercooked, and it shouldn’t be released in this state. Certainly not while removing the old Split View and side car features. If it still had those older features I wouldn’t be upset. But they removed something that worked solidly, smoothly, and effortlessly. And they replaced it with something that’s undercooked, full of bugs and inconsistencies - and worst of all, it doesn’t actually meaningfully improve productivity compared to sidecar in the older OS while making the same actions take 3 or 4 times as long, and a lot more fussy and frustrating and annoying to do.

Side Car features? I suppose you mean... SlideOver? But as I stated in this thread... I no longer use SplitView and SlideOver, I thought it was limited.

Was excited with the introduction of Stage Manager giving us the ability to resize windows and provide a freedom of movement environment... glad Apple is going in this direction, don't see it being inconsistent. Are there things that I want improved... absolutely, give us an option to pin windows (or keep over-top).

Maybe an option in Stage Manager to move the Recent App area to the left side.. similar to how SlideOver had that option.

 

[DaSal]

Workaround? It's just another option. You presented us with an example and think that using the minimize arrow is the only solution available.


Side Car features? I suppose you mean... SlideOver? But as I stated in this thread... I no longer use SplitView and SlideOver, I thought it was limited.

Was excited with the introduction of Stage Manager giving us the ability to resize windows and provide a freedom of movement environment... glad Apple is going in this direction, don't see it being inconsistent. Are there things that I want improved... absolutely, give us an option to pin windows (or keep over-top).

Maybe an option in Stage Manager to move the Recent App area to the left side.. similar to how SlideOver had that option.

It isn’t another option. It’s a window management feature that isn’t working correctly and you’re presenting a workaround. It would only be another option if the primary trackpad-and-keyboard based option also worked. For it to be ‘another’ option, the first option would have to work. But it doesn’t. So it’s a workaround.

Yes, I mean SlideOver. I’m sorry you didn’t like it - but it objectively has more functionality than the current multitasking setup, so I don’t see how you can claim it’s limited.

The previous iPad OS had more flexibility in multitasking than iPadOS28. This one just has a ‘sheen’ of added flexibility, where in reality it has less.

 

[GDF]

I agree with above poster. This newest iOS is a step backwards for the iPad. It has many more steps compared to the previous version to do split screen/side by side. Apple needs to bring the simpler way back. The new way has no use to me.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The removal of SlideOver is an absolute regression for many of us.

There is just no excuse for that to not still be an option at least.

 

[DaSal]

I would like to ask everyone that misses SlideOver to request for it using the feedback tool. The more they hear from us the more likely it is they’ll bring it back. (But they won’t).

It’s absolutely frustrating that Apple is making the iPad experience worse for 90% of users to cave to the demands of some tech influencers who don’t even use the iPad as their primary device and who never will.

The previous touch-based Split View and slider over were absolutely essential for efficient handheld multitasking.

I can’t even begin to imagine how frustrating the removal will be for all the people that use iPads for a mobile productivity workflow like nurses, doctors, architects - that sort of thing.

 

[turbineseaplane]

It’s absolutely frustrating that Apple is making the iPad experience worse for 90% of users to cave to the demands of some tech influencers who don’t even use the iPad as their primary device and who never will.

100% this 👆

It's like their designers have been captured by the noise making of the Federico Vittici's of the world who keep trying to bend into a pretzel to make the iPad as "Mac like as possible" ... and now it's coming at the expense of those of us who use and love iPads for what they are and have traditionally been.