iPadOS 26 Beta Reverses Key Multitasking Feature
▼ Summary
– iPadOS 26’s new multitasking features are praised for being more powerful and flexible than the old Stage Manager, especially for laptop-like use.
– Some users objected to Apple removing the old Split View and Slide Over multitasking modes from iPadOS 26.
– Apple is reintroducing Slide Over in iPadOS 26.1, allowing a small window to sit on top of other apps and be easily invoked or dismissed.
– The new Slide Over differs from the old version by supporting only one app at a time but allows repositioning and resizing like other windows.
– The final release of iPadOS 26.1 is expected in October or November, following a few more beta versions.
The latest iPadOS 26 beta has introduced a significant reversal by bringing back the popular Slide Over multitasking feature, addressing user feedback that emerged after its initial removal. While the new windowed multitasking system in iPadOS 26 offers enhanced power and flexibility for those treating their iPads like laptops, the absence of Slide Over drew considerable criticism from dedicated users.
On platforms like Reddit, many expressed frustration over Apple’s decision to eliminate both Split View and Slide Over entirely. Split View, which let you run two apps side-by-side with an adjustable divider, could be somewhat replicated using the updated interface. However, Slide Over, a feature allowing a compact app window to float above others and be quickly accessed or dismissed, had no direct replacement, leaving a noticeable gap for those who relied on it daily.
Responding to this user outcry, Apple has integrated Slide Over support into the second developer beta of iPadOS 26.1. As with the earlier iteration, the revived Slide Over window remains on top of all other applications and can be summoned or hidden with a simple gesture. This restoration demonstrates Apple’s attentiveness to its user community, though the reintroduced version does come with a slight modification.
Unlike the previous Slide Over, which permitted switching between multiple apps within the overlay, the new implementation restricts you to a single Slide Over app at any given moment. On the positive side, the floating window now benefits from the same repositioning and resizing capabilities available to other windows within iPadOS 26, aligning it more closely with the overall multitasking philosophy of the update.
Apple has not yet announced an official release date for the final versions of iPadOS 26.1, iOS 26.1, or macOS 26.1. Based on the company’s typical software rollout patterns, however, we can anticipate a public release around October or November, likely following one or two additional beta iterations to refine performance and stability.
(Source: Ars Technica)
