Feeling frustrated with your iPad's multitasking? You're not alone! Many users found themselves missing the simplicity of older iPadOS versions. But the good news is, iPadOS 26.2 is here to save the day, bringing back some much-loved features.
iPadOS 26.2 is set to reintroduce two major upgrades: the return of Split View and a revamped Slide Over with a brand new gesture. Now, you can effortlessly drag and drop apps from your dock, and they'll instantly snap into place. No more manual resizing of windows!
This functionality was a staple in iPadOS 18 and earlier versions, and its comeback is a welcome change.
The iPadOS 26 Shift
When Apple unveiled iPadOS 26 at WWDC25, a completely new windowing system was introduced, aiming to make the iPad experience more akin to a Mac. App windows gained traffic lights, allowing for free resizing and overlapping windows, without being tied to Stage Manager.
This was a boon for power users, but it came at the expense of the simpler multitasking system favored by casual users. This change caused many users to reduce their iPad usage, preferring to stick to full-screen apps.
Slide Over, for its ease of use, was greatly missed. It allowed for quick app access (like Messages), and then easy dismissal. The new windowing system initially made this cumbersome, leading to a shift in how many people used their iPads.
Apple did partially restore Slide Over in iPadOS 26.1, but it still required clicking on the traffic lights to activate it. Drag-and-drop functionality remained absent.
Simplistic Multitasking Returns
Fortunately, those who missed the pre-iPadOS 26 multitasking experience won't have to wait much longer.
iPadOS 26.2, slated for release soon, brings back the familiar gestures for Split View and Slide Over. While it still integrates within the windowing system, the functionality is incredibly similar to what users loved.
For those who used to rely on their iPad for work, the changes in iPadOS 26.2 are a game-changer. The iPad's simplicity was a key selling point, and with iPadOS 26, it started to feel a bit too much like a Mac. This update restores the balance, offering users the option to maintain the simplicity they prefer.
However, one limitation remains: you still can't stack multiple apps in Slide Over as you could previously.
Now, here's where it gets controversial...
Do you agree with this assessment? Were you one of the users who missed Slide Over and Split View? Let's get a discussion going! Share your thoughts in the comments below.
