iPadOS 26 is an Absolute Mess

[achappy]

But objectively; the new multitasking isn’t more flexible than the old stage manager - you can do exactly the same things and hold exactly as many windows as before - except now you have to resize and move them manually whereas before it was partially automated and assisted, while still allowing user flexibility if you wanted a different layout.

Stage manager used to just prevent making the window so small that it’s unstable. The new multitasking lets you make a window so small that no content renders and it just shows some buttons and then the stoplight buttons overlayed on it. Wow, so great and revolutionary. You now have the flexibility to make an app a useless size. It’s completely pointless and for regular people that want to use multitasking it’ll be confusing too. That stage manager used to prevent useless sizes that just caused a mess of smushed up overlayed buttons was a GOOD thing for most users. What’s the point of an app that can’t actually display any content? That’s just a smudge on the screen.

What measurement are you using? A windowing system that:

1. Allows the user to use any size window that the user wants and not restricted by the OS but by the limits of the app themselves. iPadOS 26 lets the app decide it's smallest size (try resizing calendar to see).
2. Allows adding windows to any location in that stage
3. While also using the full height and width of the screen without imposing borders
4. And the ability to have as many windows open in a stage that fits the users need. I have a stage now that has Mail (taking 1/2 screen), Calendar + Reminders (top right quarter) and Notes (bottom right quarter) all utilizing the full screen of the iPad (edge to edge).
5. Has the ability to autolocate and size windows via the traffic lights.

Is somehow not more flexible than one that didn't allow that? I get you you don't like the changes but you keep throwing statements out like "regular people that want to use multitasking it'll be confusing too" with no factual basis. Just say you don't like it or at least take the time to understand the changes, what it can and can't do and then make a factual argument. I've quickly tried Mail, Calendar, Safari, Notes, eBay, Amazon Prime, Maps, Photos, Contacts and not one of them allowed me to resize down beyond a certain size such that "it shows some buttons and then stoplight buttons".

 

[DaSal]

This is untrue. You press the traffic lights and you get autolayouts. The previous Stage Manager mode had none of this.

View attachment 2537102

That’s still manual management. You have to click and hold a green button (which many users will never discover) and then pick a layout. I’m glad this is an option by the way, but it’s still manually arranging your windows.

Stage Manager managed your windows fully automatically. But yes this is a good feature, but it could’ve also been added onto stage manager.

 

[turbineseaplane]

This is untrue. You press the traffic lights and you get autolayouts. The previous Stage Manager mode had none of this.

View attachment 2537102

Is someone actually supposed to use any of that, with a finger, on an iPad Mini!?

We need "iPadOS Classic" for those who want a "how it used to be" far more simplistic OG iPad experience.

This is bolting on so much complexity to assuage a very very specific set of users.

 

[GDF]

This is untrue. You press the traffic lights and you get autolayouts. The previous Stage Manager mode had none of this.

View attachment 2537102

Still not as easy, unless I am missing something. With Slideover or Splitview, I just touched one of those it then took half the screen and then I opened another app or dragged a Safari tag over and then both automatically filled in with 1/2 screen each.

Now, how can one slide a tab in Safari and easily make it split screen with another open tag without resizing anything.

Appreciate the help!

 

[Nikhil72]

I’m honestly glad to hear it works for you! But can I ask how specifically the new setup works better than the old Stage Manager feature? And are you coming from using Stage Manager to the new multitasking, or did you previously use full-screen apps with split-view and SlideOver?

I’m asking because from my perspective the old Stage Manager did everything this new setup does, and more, because it also managed window placement and sizing automatically to ensure usable windows and allowed for switching between multiple spaces of apps. Whereas the new multitasking requires manual management of window placement and actually allows you to make windows that are unusably small.

From my perspective the previous Stage Manager was equivalent from a productivity standpoint but better from a speed and efficiency standpoint.

If you’ve used Stage Manager in the past I’d love to hear your experience and opinion on why the new multitasking is better.

Stage manager was way too futzy for me. It forced windows to dance around the display constantly, failed to remember last launch size; had a limit of apps, didn’t max out auto layouts like pressing and holding the traffic lights allows me to do. Stage manager required too much thinking constantly and did very little managing. Slide over was what I ended up using but my EMR, for example, doesn’t use auto layout so no slide over there. iOS phone apps? Terrible use of space where now they make total sense as quick interaction apps.
And I’ve done this all via Magic Keyboard but also as touch only on iPad Pro and mini and it all works beautifully without tinkering.

 

[Nikhil72]

Is someone actually supposed to use any of that, with a finger, on an iPad Mini!?

View attachment 2537121

We need "iPadOS Classic" for those who want a "how it used to be" far more simplistic OG iPad experience.

This is bolting on so much complexity to assuage a very very specific set of users.

It’s quite responsive on a mini. Have you tried?

 

[turbineseaplane]

It’s quite responsive on a mini. Have you tried?

I'm talking about the physical size of it all.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Stage manager was way too futzy for me. It forced windows to dance around the display constantly, failed to remember last launch size; had a limit of apps, didn’t max out auto layouts like pressing and holding the traffic lights allows me to do. Stage manager required too much thinking constantly and did very little managing. Slide over was what I ended up using but my EMR, for example, doesn’t use auto layout so no slide over there. iOS phone apps? Terrible use of space where now they make total sense as quick interaction apps.
And I’ve done this all via Magic Keyboard but also as touch only on iPad Pro and mini and it all works beautifully without tinkering.

Everything you're describing highlights how much iPadOS Classic needs to be a thing.

There are whole swaths of users that just want basic iPad usage styles, without all this forced baked in over complication.

 

[Nikhil72]

Everything you're describing highlights how much iPadOS Classic needs to be a thing.

There are whole swaths of users that just want basic iPad usage styles, without all this forced baked in over complication.

My presumption is since they kept a single app full screen mode option, slide over will make a return at some point. Apple has been known to restore functionality in dot releases. Submit feedback, wait, but also get familiar with a new system if you’re a multitasker. It’s quite intuitive

 

[turbineseaplane]

My presumption is since they kept a single app full screen mode option, slide over will make a return at some point.

I sure hope so. I use it constantly and it's ease and simplicity is unmatched.

 

[TigerMSTR]

Is someone actually supposed to use any of that, with a finger, on an iPad Mini!?

View attachment 2537121

We need "iPadOS Classic" for those who want a "how it used to be" far more simplistic OG iPad experience.

This is bolting on so much complexity to assuage a very very specific set of users.

I’ve been on this beta for 2 months on my 13 inch Pro, and not even once have I been compelled to use this three or four window split view setup. Apple has added so much complexity for such a niche scenario.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I’ve been on this beta for 2 months on my 13 inch Pro, and not even once have I been compelled to use this three or four window split view setup. Apple has added so much complexity for such a niche scenario.

One would think it'd be obvious to Apple that what may be "good/great" with a finger (or certainly with a pointing device) on a 13" screen will be totally unworkable on an 8" screen.

Not sure how they think any of this is a good idea on an iPad Mini.

 

[TigerMSTR]

Here’s the number of convoluted steps I have to go through just to open a small safari window on top of another full screen app in iPad OS 26. They turned a single efficient gesture into this horrific series of taps and swipes. It can’t even be done without leaving the full screen app

Found that on Reddit.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Here’s the number of convoluted steps I have to go through just to open a small safari window on top of another full screen app in iPad OS 26. They turned a single efficient gesture into this horrific series of taps and swipes. It can’t even be done without leaving the full screen app

Found that on Reddit.

Jeez, that is so clunky.
Ugh..

What a downgrade just to assuage the folks who should probably buy a Mac.

If Apple would make a few touchscreen Mac options (perhaps even a convertible/hybrid model), one wonders if we'd be in this pickle.

 

[01cowherd]

Has the ability to autolocate and size windows via the traffic lights.

We can also do top/bottom split layout via the menu bar, which I appreciate for watching a video alongside something else (YouTube website subtitles don’t show in PiP).

 

[Ludatyk]

Here’s the number of convoluted steps I have to go through just to open a small safari window on top of another full screen app in iPad OS 26. They turned a single efficient gesture into this horrific series of taps and swipes. It can’t even be done without leaving the full screen app

Found that on Reddit.

In that example... why not flick Safari over to the left (or use the stop lights to arrange it to the left) then open Youtube and flick that over to right.

It's a completely different system... previous system Safari is in full screen then you bring Youtube over for SplitView, but you have the option to put Safari in half before bringing in Youtube in this new system. I honestly think it's a situation of learning how to interact with it.

 

[achappy]

Here’s the number of convoluted steps I have to go through just to open a small safari window on top of another full screen app in iPad OS 26. They turned a single efficient gesture into this horrific series of taps and swipes. It can’t even be done without leaving the full screen app

Found that on Reddit.

This is only needed in Windowed mode because Full Screen Windows are in their own space and the second app is also full screen. Not an issue if the second app was not full screen. In Stage Manager, even if the new Window is Full screen it's in the same stage. So it's just resize the second window and move. And in both cases, once that app is sized and located it, next time just swipe the app up from the dock to open.

There are two distinct ways windows behave between Windowed and Stage Manager and people need to learn the differences to figure which way suits their workflow. I think Stage Manager actually fits more into those who used Slide Over like myself. I would have 3 to 4 apps in Slide Over and would have to use the gesture to swipe between them depending on what I needed. Now I have those apps in the same size in a stage. Quick swipe up from the dock, tap app and it's in front floating. Use app and then tap full screen app back to what I was doing. I don't have a Mini anymore but I could see myself doing exactly that for handling messaging if I had a Mini.

 

[TigerMSTR]

In that example... why not flick Safari over to the left (or use the stop lights to arrange it to the left) then open Youtube and flick that over to right.

It's a completely different system... previous system Safari is in full screen then you bring Youtube over for SplitView, but you have the option to put Safari in half before bringing in Youtube in this new system. I honestly think it's a situation of learning how to interact with it.

Maybe that would work, maybe it wouldn’t. I’m not beside my iPad to try.

But honestly, if “learning how to interact” is this difficult, that is a major UX flaw in and of itself.

 

[TigerMSTR]

Here’s the number of convoluted steps I have to go through just to open a small safari window on top of another full screen app in iPad OS 26. They turned a single efficient gesture into this horrific series of taps and swipes. It can’t even be done without leaving the full screen app

Found that on Reddit.

This is only needed in Windowed mode because Full Screen Windows are in their own space and the second app is also full screen. Not an issue if the second app was not full screen

So the solution is to not use fullscreen apps?

 

[turbineseaplane]

But honestly, if “learning how to interact” is this difficult, that is a major UX flaw in and of itself.

Particularly on an iPad (as opposed to a Mac).

 

[DaSal]

Here’s the number of convoluted steps I have to go through just to open a small safari window on top of another full screen app in iPad OS 26. They turned a single efficient gesture into this horrific series of taps and swipes. It can’t even be done without leaving the full screen app

Found that on Reddit.

This. This is all that needs to be said really. I honestly don’t understand how anybody can reasonably argue that this is faster than the old SplitView and slideover. Of course I’m talking specifically about when using it undocked without a keyboard and trackpad.

 

[DaSal]

This is untrue. You press the traffic lights and you get autolayouts. The previous Stage Manager mode had none of this.

View attachment 2537102

These don’t even work properly in all apps by the way. For instance in Plex - they when pressing and holding the green button to reveal the arrangement options - the pop-up disappears too quickly to actually use it.

Additionally, the Plex app uses a center anchor point when resizing the window from the left or the right which means it’s almost impossible to set it to 3/4 of the screen, since it keeps expanding and retracting both the left and right edges simultaneously, so you keep having to drag it, resize it, drag it, resize it, etc.

 

[turbineseaplane]

These don’t even work properly in all apps by the way. For instance in Plex - they when pressing and holding the green button to reveal the arrangement options - the pop-up disappears too quickly to actually use it.

Additionally, the Plex app uses a center anchor point when resizing the window from the left or the right which means it’s almost impossible to set it to 3/4 of the screen, since it keeps expanding and retracting both the left and right edges simultaneously, so you keep having to drag it, resize it, drag it, resize it, etc.

Highlights the really pernicious part of all this.

Apple makes change for the sake of change and it creates untold amounts of work for developers just to maintain functionality.

Translation: They incur a bunch of costs for no actual financial benefit.

 

[Bungaree.Chubbins]

Exactly! Responses like this get glossed over... because it doesn't feed into the whole negativity surrounding iPadOS 26.

And I'm aware it's disappointing seeing a signature feature get removed from a platform... when it was introduced back a decade ago in iOS 9. So, the frustration of it being removed... is warranted. I am fully on board with that, understanding how easy it is to get into SplitView. SlideOver is a nice feature... off to the side, able to interact with it and swipe away whenever necessary.

I've probably been an iPad user longer than anyone in this thread (not to make it seem as if I hold more merit or anything), that is to say I care deeply about the iPad just as much as anyone. But Stage Manager was released back in '22 with a whole bunch of negativity.

Took them 3 years to get to the point where people like Federico actually likes it... didn't care for Stage Manager originally, stayed using SplitView/SlideOver. And maybe Apple finds away to bring a system similar to SplitView/SlideOver... that way it would benefit all of us.

I might challenge you for that. I remember using my first-gen iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard to take notes.

There is always a kerfuffle when Apple makes a decent change to things. Sometimes it's warranted, sometimes it isn't, but there's always a storm over it.

I don't know that I would use the windowing system much, I didn't use Slide Over at all. One of the things I have come to love about using the iPad is using a single app at a time. I've found that mono-tasking really works for me.

I do use Stage Manager on my 14" MacBook Pro, so who knows. If I ever get to upgrade my iPad, I might like the new system, or I might just continue to mono-task it.

 

[DaSal]

You know what, I’ve been trying to get used to the new multitasking ever since the public beta came out, and I just can’t do it. It’s affecting my enjoying of my iPad. It used to be my favorite device, and now I’m just irritated every time I use it.

I’m going to revert back to iPad OS 18 and just stick to using that for as long as I can, and hope that Apple changes their mind and puts back in SplitView and SlideOver. It’s not like iPad OS26 adds anything I actually enjoy - so might as well stick to the older version for now.