iPadOS 26.1 Beta 2 Brings Back Slide Over Multitasking
▼ Summary
– Apple has released iPadOS 26.1 beta 2, which brings back the Slide Over multitasking feature for developers.
– The new Slide Over works alongside iPadOS 26’s updated windowing system but currently allows only one app at a time.
– Users can activate Slide Over via a new option in the window resize controls, resizing the window to a typical Slide Over size.
– The feature enables working with background apps while keeping the Slide Over app visible, and it can be hidden or resized as needed.
– This update addresses user feedback on the initial removal of Slide Over in iPadOS 26, though it lacks the multi-app stacking from earlier versions.
The latest iPadOS 26.1 beta 2 release for developers marks a significant development for iPad productivity, bringing back the popular Slide Over multitasking feature that many users felt was missing from the initial iPadOS 26 rollout. This reintroduction addresses user feedback while integrating the functionality with Apple’s newer windowing system.
Initially, iPadOS 26 replaced the familiar Split View and Slide Over options with a completely redesigned window management approach. While the new system offered enhanced capabilities, the removal of Slide Over created a noticeable gap for those who relied on its quick-access functionality. The absence made it difficult to temporarily overlay apps without fully committing to a split-screen setup.
With this beta update, Apple has reintroduced Slide Over in a way that complements the existing windowing environment. Users can now activate Slide Over directly from an app’s window controls by selecting the newly added ‘Enter Slide Over’ option found within the green window management button. This action automatically resizes the active window into the familiar Slide Over panel, allowing you to continue working in background applications while keeping the Slide Over app visible and accessible.
The functionality maintains the classic behavior where you can swipe the panel off-screen when not needed and quickly retrieve it with a swipe when required. A notable enhancement allows users to manually resize the Slide Over window according to their preference, offering greater flexibility than previous versions.
However, the current beta implementation comes with one important limitation: only one Slide Over app can be active simultaneously. This contrasts with iPadOS 18’s capability to maintain multiple Slide Over applications in a stack that users could cycle through effortlessly. Whether Apple will restore this multi-app functionality before the final release remains uncertain, but its absence in the beta suggests the feature is still undergoing refinement.
For productivity-focused iPad users who have been waiting for Slide Over’s return, this development represents a promising step toward restoring the streamlined multitasking workflow that makes the iPad such a versatile tool. The integration with the modern windowing system suggests Apple is listening to user preferences while moving the platform forward.
(Source: 9to5 Mac)
