iPadOS 26 public beta hasn’t killed my iPad

[engbren]

I installed iPadOS 26 Public Beta on my 2018 iPad Pro 11 inch. In the short time I’ve been using it, it seems quite stable and relatively fast for the first public beta. Overall, I think its a massive improvement to the usability of my iPad. For context, I’ve had this iPad Pro since new and recently, it has only been used for content consumption. I previously used it as a companion to my Mac that I would use in meetings for note taking purposes but I never got amazing productivity out of the iPad. Certainly, I could use iPads prior multitasking tricks like Slideover and the prior iteration of Stage Manage but never found them to be particularly intuitive.
This release with the windowing system and window controls, macOS like traffic lights and app menubar feels much more intuitive. The new pointer for trackpad makes controls when using my Logitech case with keyboard and trackpad feel like I am using a totally different device. Its just more usable for me, makes me want to keep using it. Its still too early to determine any significant difference to productivity but with the improved usability comes perceived productivity improvements, breathing new life into an older iPad.

 

[russell_314]

I installed iPadOS 26 Public Beta on my 2018 iPad Pro 11 inch. In the short time I’ve been using it, it seems quite stable and relatively fast for the first public beta. Overall, I think its a massive improvement to the usability of my iPad. For context, I’ve had this iPad Pro since new and recently, it has only been used for content consumption. I previously used it as a companion to my Mac that I would use in meetings for note taking purposes but I never got amazing productivity out of the iPad. Certainly, I could use iPads prior multitasking tricks like Slideover and the prior iteration of Stage Manage but never found them to be particularly intuitive.
This release with the windowing system and window controls, macOS like traffic lights and app menubar feels much more intuitive. The new pointer for trackpad makes controls when using my Logitech case with keyboard and trackpad feel like I am using a totally different device. Its just more usable for me, makes me want to keep using it. Its still too early to determine any significant difference to productivity but with the improved usability comes perceived productivity improvements, breathing new life into an older iPad.

I have it on my 4th generation iPad Air and I’m not thrilled with it. For me it’s a content consumption device and the window controls always seem to pop up when I don’t want them to. Of course this might be user error on my part and I need to learn how to properly use it. I don’t have a keyboard or trackpad attached so not sure if that’s making things worse.

 

[TigerMSTR]

I have it on my 4th generation iPad Air and I’m not thrilled with it. For me it’s a content consumption device and the window controls always seem to pop up when I don’t want them to. Of course this might be user error on my part and I need to learn how to properly use it. I don’t have a keyboard or trackpad attached so not sure if that’s making things worse.

iPadOS 26 feels like it’s added no features or value (for me), and has just made everything more difficult. It’s more difficult to use than iPadOS 18, and significantly more difficult to use than macOS.

I also don’t think it’s user error. I’ve learned the new operating system inside out, but it just fundamentally takes a lot more taps to accomplish things that could’ve been done with one or two gestures in iPadOS 18.

Even with the Magic Keyboard, it’s more difficult to use than iPadOS 18. It just gets significantly more difficult to use with you’re only using the touchscreen.

 

[russell_314]

iPadOS 26 feels like it’s added no features or value (for me), and has just made everything more difficult. It’s more difficult to use than iPadOS 18, and significantly more difficult to use than macOS.

I also don’t think it’s user error. I’ve learned the new operating system inside out, but it just fundamentally takes a lot more taps to accomplish things that could’ve been done with one or two gestures in iPadOS 18.

Even with the Magic Keyboard, it’s more difficult to use than iPadOS 18. It just gets significantly more difficult to use with you’re only using the touchscreen.

It probably doesn’t help that I have the smaller 11” iPad. If I had one of the larger 13” multitasking might make more sense.

I use my iPad for watching YouTube most of the time so the new features have been getting in my way. I’m going to try and learn the new features but I suspect you’re right that they made it unnecessarily complicated. Maybe they need to have different modes where if someone is just using it for content consumption it would turn off unnecessary features.

 

[Digitalguy]

It probably doesn’t help that I have the smaller 11” iPad. If I had one of the larger 13” multitasking might make more sense.

I use my iPad for watching YouTube most of the time so the new features have been getting in my way. I’m going to try and learn the new features but I suspect you’re right that they made it unnecessarily complicated. Maybe they need to have different modes where if someone is just using it for content consumption it would turn off unnecessary features.

They should have left the option of split screen + slideover instead of the full screen only apps, it would have made more sense for users who don't need the windowed apps (personally I only need them, sometimes, on external monitors and that was available even before with stage manager).
I don't even use split screen on Windows, let alone iPadOS... If I need more apps at the same time I use multiple monitors

 

[Ludatyk]

iPadOS 26 feels like it’s added no features or value (for me), and has just made everything more difficult. It’s more difficult to use than iPadOS 18, and significantly more difficult to use than macOS.

I also don’t think it’s user error. I’ve learned the new operating system inside out, but it just fundamentally takes a lot more taps to accomplish things that could’ve been done with one or two gestures in iPadOS 18.

Even with the Magic Keyboard, it’s more difficult to use than iPadOS 18. It just gets significantly more difficult to use with you’re only using the touchscreen.

Out of curiosity… what would have been something Apple could have added that would have been valuable to you?

Because I think it’s one of those situations where if Apple plays it safe and not improve anything on multitasking… it’s criticized. But if they do actually try… it gets criticized. And not sure about the Magic Keyboard point, because if you learn the shortcuts… it’s not difficult.

 

[Digitalguy]

Out of curiosity… what would have been something Apple could have added that would have been valuable to you?

Because I think it’s one of those situations where if Apple plays it safe and not improve anything on multitasking… it’s criticized. But if they do actually try… it gets criticized. And not sure about the Magic Keyboard point, because if you learn the shortcuts… it’s not difficult.

I disagree with you on this. I have read this comment over and over and... it's just wrong
Apple made a mistake by creating 2 extremes, Windowed apps and Full screen apps, but removing the middle ground that is split screen and slide over. So no, I am glad that they improved things on multitasking, giving this options to those who needed on a regular basis or just sometimes, but they played way too safe for those who don't need that level of multitasking by removing almost any form of multitasking, as I said above.

 

[Ludatyk]

I disagree with you on this. I have read this comment over and over and... it's just wrong

What exactly is wrong? By Apple getting criticized? I mean… look at the results for what has happened. Last year when WWDC took place… they played it safe and didn’t add anything when it came to multitasking. And folks criticized Apple for it.

It was evident by the fact Federico wrote that polarizing post about iPadOS… he was very clear that multitasking needed to be change.

Apple made a mistake by creating 2 extremes, Windowed apps and Full screen apps, but removing the middle ground that is split screen and slide over. So no, I am glad that they improved things on multitasking, giving this options to those who needed on a regular basis or just sometimes, but they played way too safe for those who don't need that level of multitasking by removing almost any form of multitasking, as I said above.

But one thing you are neglecting here is Stage Manager… this is Apple attempt of that middle ground, it’s a way to provide a more structured environment similar to SplitView/SlideOver. And I’m fully aware it is not the same as pre-existing multitasking. But it can assist in providing similar results.

Because I don’t care for Windowed apps… I agree it’s too extreme, that’s why I’m more of a Stage Manager user myself.

 

[Digitalguy]

What exactly is wrong? By Apple getting criticized? I mean… look at the results for what has happened. Last year when WWDC took place… they played it safe and didn’t add anything when it came to multitasking. And folks criticized Apple for it.

It was evident by the fact Federico wrote that polarizing post about iPadOS… he was very clear that multitasking needed to be change.


But one thing you are neglecting here is Stage Manager… this is Apple attempt of that middle ground, it’s a way to provide a more structured environment similar to SplitView/SlideOver. And I’m fully aware it is not the same as pre-existing multitasking. But it can assist in providing similar results.

Because I don’t care for Windowed apps… I agree it’s too extreme, that’s why I’m more of a Stage Manager user myself.

What I think is wrong is the reply I sometimes read here or on reddit "you have been requesting these features for years, now that Apple gave them to you, you complain, what do you want??? you are never happy!", which is a totally wrong criticism.
Apple deserved to be criticised for playing safe in the past. iPadOS improvements have been ridiculously slow.
And now people are not criticising Apple for introducing windowed app, but because they removed something that worked for many people, like slide-over. I am glad they left stage manager, but for me stage manager is no replacement for slide-over.
I'd even be ok with no split screen, but add slideover to the full screen app mode.
I rarely use split screen, if I need several things a the same time I prefer multiple monitors. But slide-over was very useful. It is the end of the world? No. Especially now that they reintroduced the horizontal swipe. But that full screen mode is wasted. Slide-over wouldn't disrupt it at all.
That's the only criticism, not a general one, and it's fair and deserved. If Apple left the option of slide-over you wouldn't hear all this criticism. So saying people complain because of windowed apps is missing the point.

People are happy with many of the changes. They have been requesting several things and windowed apps was not high on the list. People wanted better file management even more than windowed apps and Apple did do something about it. People wanted background tasks and Apple did it.
But there are also many things they did NOT do, like true swap to disk (the current one is totally different from the Mac one, and just there to allow some app to use more memory, on a Mac with 8GB RAM you can leave a web page with a paused video open for months and it will not refresh, on iPad it's a mess and even more with iPadOS 18 and 26, I have constant reloads on my 3 iPads with 8GB RAM, M1, M2 and M4). It's nice to be able to open 12 apps at the same time, but when they start to reload it becomes a serious issue and you lose data.
Or other things like sidecar and universal control between iPads that didn't happen.

 

[Ludatyk]

What I think is wrong is the reply I sometimes read here or on reddit "you have been requesting these features for years, now that Apple gave them to you, you complain, what do you want??? you are never happy!", which is a totally wrong criticism.

But you are placing words that I never stated... I asked what features would have added value to them? And the last part was broadly speaking that every decision won't please everyone.

And now people are not criticising Apple for introducing windowed app, but because they removed something that worked for many people, like slide-over. I am glad they left stage manager, but for me stage manager is no replacement for slide-over.
I'd even be ok with no split screen, but add slideover to the full screen app mode.

I never stated it was a replacement... only that users can get similar results using Stage Manager versus Windowed apps. And someone else mentioned adding "multitasking" to the Fullscreen mode. To which I replied... folks will be irritated about having multitasking added.

You can look up a Gruber post being annoyed by accidentally evoking multitasking on an iPad. Once again, there's no push back from the removal of SlideOver/SplitView... even though I don't use it. But I'm just thinking about how Apple is approaching it.

 

[rui no onna]

I have it installed on an iPad 9th gen (A13/3GB). The beta hasn't killed it but it feels like it's on life support now.

 

[richpjr]

It is obvious from the replies that people have very different use cases for their iPads. iPadOS 26 is a massive upgrade for how I personally use my iPads. I have an 11" for content consumption that I leave in full screen and a 13" that I use in windows mode to edit photo/videos, draw and play the occasional game on. I always have the 13" in a MKB and often use an external monitor for it. These very different sceanrios are perfect for my needs - but clearly that middle ground mentioned is not my use case and others are not happy.

 

[engbren]

I totally agree on the different use cases comments. For me, iPadOS 26 feels like a huge upgrade. I always felt slide-over and split screen were odd experiences that made my iPad experience feel worse than using full screen apps. My iPad has been relegated to content consumption duties for some time but it wasn’t related to Apple - an IT administrator got a bit overzealous with Microsoft 365 security controls and it made using apps like OneNote and Word a real pain on iPad. I would say that iPadOS now works more consistently and more intuitively for me.

For balance, I am not thrilled with the liquid glass UI redesign but it might grow on me as other UI re-designs have. I have also got a Samsung Galaxy S23 which I use mainly for work demos (its not my daily). iPadOS hasn’t gone to squircles, but the outlines that now appear on various UI elements are reminiscent of Samsung’s OneUI. I would argue the new iPad experience with its full window management and consistent approach feels better than the Dex experience on the S23 which is a weird mishmash of desktop and mobile UI elements.

 

[TigerMSTR]

Out of curiosity… what would have been something Apple could have added that would have been valuable to you?

Because I think it’s one of those situations where if Apple plays it safe and not improve anything on multitasking… it’s criticized. But if they do actually try… it gets criticized. And not sure about the Magic Keyboard point, because if you learn the shortcuts… it’s not difficult.

The only thing they could’ve done is kept Split View and Slide Over as an option and made windowing optional.

I only use two apps on screen at once, and I often use pairs of Split View apps. So my apps in iPadOS 26 are configured exactly the same as in iPadOS 18. However, iPadOS 26 is just massively slowing me down, because it takes a dozen taps to do what could’ve taken just one or two gestures in iPadOS 18.

I cannot understand why they removed Split View and Slide Over. It worked fine for millions of users.

 

[Ludatyk]

The only thing they could’ve done is kept Split View and Slide Over as an option and made windowing optional.

But my question was…. What could Apple have added? Not kept.

I only use two apps on screen at once, and I often use pairs of Split View apps. So my apps in iPadOS 26 are configured exactly the same as in iPadOS 18. However, iPadOS 26 is just massively slowing me down, because it takes a dozen taps to do what could’ve taken just one or two gestures in iPadOS 18.

It takes a dozen taps? Seriously. There’s two options to get into SplitView (previously it was only one).. you can use the traffic lights or slide the app left/right and both apps align.

Now for the traffic lights… once you have one app open, bring the 2nd app in. Tap the traffic lights ONCE and hold the resize (green) icon to get options to arrange it to the left/right. That doesn’t seem like a dozen taps. And I actually prefer doing the slide gestures… less steps. No tapping required.

I cannot understand why they removed Split View and Slide Over. It worked fine for millions of users.

The criticism surrounded iPadOS was that multitasking needed to be improved, it was consistent pressure from the public. Now, it’s unfortunate that SplitView/SlideOver is removed… it’s not as if I’m against it.

 

[GioGiusi]

It always amazes me when people don't understand the subtext of conversations like this.

When are people going to realize that the iPad is not a Mac? It is not a laptop. It is not a productivity machine. It is a content consumption machine, with "maybe I can get away with doing this other thing too".

Apple has tried to encourage that "maybe" part in various ways, because it sells more iPads. And $350 keyboard accessories. But they try to do it in ways that don't compromise the intended and primary use case of iPad. Split View and Slide Over were half assed attempts at multitasking, they never felt natural or intuitive. Stage Manager is perhaps the worst attempt at windowing and multitasking in the history of computing. Apple made the right call to do away with all of that, and say "let's just let every window be resized and repositioned freely." This is the best that can be done.

Some people still have this ancient thought stuck in their heads that the tablet form factor is peak computing...that it is destined to replace desktop and laptop computing. It has been 15 years. It isn't happening. The tablet, a touch tablet, does not have the potential you once thought it did.

 

[TigerMSTR]

But my question was…. What could Apple have added? Not kept

There is nothing significant Apple could’ve added. iPadOS 18 already worked for my use cases, for the most part.

It takes a dozen taps? Seriously. There’s two options to get into SplitView (previously it was only one).. you can use the traffic lights or slide the app left/right and both apps align.

Now for the traffic lights… once you have one app open, bring the 2nd app in. Tap the traffic lights ONCE and hold the resize (green) icon to get options to arrange it to the left/right. That doesn’t seem like a dozen taps. And I actually prefer doing the slide gestures… less steps. No tapping required.

Yes, it takes a dozen taps, seriously.

As another point of comparison: to setup a simple two app Split View, on iPadOS 18 it took me about 1 to 2 seconds. It takes about 10 to 15 seconds to do the same on iPadOS 26. And the fact that you often have to recreate the Split View if you go to a third app, makes it even more difficult.

Multitasking on iPadOS 26 is cumbersome enough that I now basically only ever use one fullscreen app on screen at a time. It just takes way too long to set up a Split View.

 

[richpjr]

It always amazes me when people don't understand the subtext of conversations like this.

When are people going to realize that the iPad is not a Mac? It is not a laptop. It is not a productivity machine. It is a content consumption machine, with "maybe I can get away with doing this other thing too".

Apple has tried to encourage that "maybe" part in various ways, because it sells more iPads. And $350 keyboard accessories. But they try to do it in ways that don't compromise the intended and primary use case of iPad. Split View and Slide Over were half assed attempts at multitasking, they never felt natural or intuitive. Stage Manager is perhaps the worst attempt at windowing and multitasking in the history of computing. Apple made the right call to do away with all of that, and say "let's just let every window be resized and repositioned freely." This is the best that can be done.

Some people still have this ancient thought stuck in their heads that the tablet form factor is peak computing...that it is destined to replace desktop and laptop computing. It has been 15 years. It isn't happening. The tablet, a touch tablet, does not have the potential you once thought it did.

I think you will get a lot of pushback on it not being a productivity machine. It is exactly that for an awful lot of people.

 

[GioGiusi]

I think you will get a lot of pushback on it not being a productivity machine. It is exactly that for an awful lot of people.

For people that considering pecking at a spreadsheet to be productivity, yes.

 

[Ludatyk]

Yes, it takes a dozen taps, seriously.

That is NOT true. I stated how many steps it takes to get into SplitView… dozen taps doesn’t seem like that is the case.

As another point of comparison: to setup a simple two app Split View, on iPadOS 18 it took me about 1 to 2 seconds. It takes about 10 to 15 seconds to do the same on iPadOS 26.

I’m not arguing you on how simple it was to do it previously… but on how many steps it takes on iPadOS 26 and now you want to measure it by seconds. I give up because you are inflating the topic, maybe Apple reverses course and bring back Split View for you.

Some people still have this ancient thought stuck in their heads that the tablet form factor is peak computing...that it is destined to replace desktop and laptop computing. It has been 15 years. It isn't happening. The tablet, a touch tablet, does not have the potential you once thought it did.

For YOU. It’s not happening… tbh, you don’t speak for everyone. We been through this way too many times in the “iPad is a laptop replacement” thread, everyone has their own preferences and viewpoints.

 

[GioGiusi]

That is NOT true. I stated how many steps it takes to get into SplitView… dozen taps doesn’t seem like that is the case.


I’m not arguing you on how simple it was to do it previously… but on how many steps it takes on iPadOS 26 and now you want to measure it by seconds. I give up because you are inflating the topic, maybe Apple reverses course and bring back Split View for you.


For YOU. It’s not happening… tbh, you don’t speak for everyone. We been through this way too many times in the “iPad is a laptop replacement” thread, everyone has their own preferences and viewpoints.

LMAO. I love the "my opinion beats all history and fact" comment. Oh, internet.

 

[TigerMSTR]

That is NOT true. I stated how many steps it takes to get into SplitView… dozen taps doesn’t seem like that is the case.

Idk how you’re going to tell me it’s not true when I’m using iPadOS 26 right now.

Perhaps in the most idealized scenario, you can create the Split View you intend to create in two or three clicks. But with my experience with iPadOS 26, that’s rarely the case.

Creating a Split View typically involves dragging apps out of the dock, or out of different stages, manually repositioning the windows, clicking the traffic light buttons a bunch of times. And the traffic light buttons themselves are hard to click, so even clicking those buttons requires multiple attempts.

And then sometimes when the Split View is created, it’s created with the incorrect apps, because it always makes the Split View out of the most recent two apps you’ve used. But the apps you wanted to split are not always the two most recently used apps. So then you gotta try to create the Split View again. Etc, etc, etc…

And then there are times where, even when the Split View is created with the correct apps, the apps are on the incorrect side. And unlike with iPadOS 18, there is no easy way for apps to swap sides in the Split View. So that’s again even more tapping, dragging and resizing windows.

My experience with iPadOS 26 is that creating a Split View typically takes 10 to 20 seconds. It involves a lot of clicking and tapping and dragging windows around. The Split View often does not behave how you expected it to, so then you gotta retry. That’s more clicking and tapping. I feel like I’m having to do a convoluted dance with the windowing system to create a basic configuration that would’ve taken a second or two to create in iPadOS 18.

It’s not a consistent experience, it’s not an easy experience, and overall this just feels like the most convoluted windowing system I’ve ever used on any platform.

 

[klasma]

What exactly is wrong?

See here for example:

https://www.reddit.com/r/iPadOS/comments/1l9n2rg/ipados_26_broke_multitasking_im_seriously/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/1lcvwqh/hot_take_the_new_ipados_26_multitasking_features/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/1m8del5/ipados_26_ruins_simplicity_of_multitasking_of_the/

https://www.reddit.com/r/iPadOS/comments/1m8mvtg/ipados_26_multitasking_vs_the_mac/

 

[Ludatyk]

Idk how you’re going to tell me it’s not true when I’m using iPadOS 26 right now.

Perhaps in the most idealized scenario, you can create the Split View you intend to create in two or three clicks. But with my experience with iPadOS 26, that’s rarely the case.

Creating a Split View typically involves dragging apps out of the dock, or out of different stages, manually repositioning the windows, clicking the traffic light buttons a bunch of times. And the traffic light buttons themselves are hard to click, so even clicking those buttons requires multiple attempts.

And I just stated… you don’t have to click on the traffic buttons. You can do it by dragging a window/app off to one side left/right and it will align itself.

I’ve been using iPadOS 26 beta ever since it launched…. It does not take 12 taps to get into SplitView especially when you have the option to drag. Having an app already open.. you drag the 2nd app in, slide it off to one side to align that left/right. And with the initial app that’s open… you slide that off to the other end. I can do that within 3 seconds.

See here for example:

https://www.reddit.com/r/iPadOS/comments/1l9n2rg/ipados_26_broke_multitasking_im_seriously

https://www.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/1lcvwqh/hot_take_the_new_ipados_26_multitasking_features

https://www.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/1m8del5/ipados_26_ruins_simplicity_of_multitasking_of_the

https://www.reddit.com/r/iPadOS/comments/1m8mvtg/ipados_26_multitasking_vs_the_mac

I believe you missing the point of my post. I stated that Apple is going to get criticized for whatever decision they make… whether that’s removing a feature, add a feature that some users do not like (not a fan of the Windowed apps).

Because think about it… last year when WWDC rolled around, there were a bunch of post claiming how Apple doesn’t care about iPadOS (as in where are the new features).

 

[klasma]

But my question was…. What could Apple have added? Not kept.

They should optimize operations (number of taps/swipes, reducing the need for long press) for typical usage scenarios. Split View and Slide Over were examples of that. Instead of expanding on that theme, they replaced it by a generic way of achieving any kind of window arrangement you want, but at the price of more long-winded touch operations, and of only having a single arrangement at a time, instead of the multiple views you could previously swipe between.

So one thing they could add is having multiple virtual desktops you can swipe between. Another thing would be to work more like a tiling window manager, i.e. don’t stack windows on top of each other (no z-axis), but only next to each other without overlap and without gaps. Then for example add a way to quickly switch (slide) between apps in one tiling area. Or go the scrolling window manager route like PaperWM, or scrolling-tiling window management like Niri. The point of those latter approaches is to restrict window placement so that arranging operations become simpler, and also to provider a larger canvas of placed apps that is easy to swipe between, and is spatially more intuitive than stacked windows.

These are just some options for what Apple could do to provide more flexible window arrangement than just Split View & Slide Over, while still keeping operations simpler than with traditional stacked window management where everything takes more steps and the state space (arbitrary combinations of positions and sizes, plus stacking) tends to be more confusing.