User profile for user: DeadLeePool
DeadLeePool Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Is there an easier way to Split View/Multitask on iPadOS 26?

Hey everyone! Is there a simpler way to get split screen(Split View/Slide Over) working on iPad?

I’m SO FRUSTRATED with the new system! The old swipe-down method was PERFECT - instantly split two apps and I could add floating third/fourth apps by just dragging to the sides. SO SIMPLE and intuitive!

Now with these new windowed apps I have to:

1. Resize the first app

2. Swipe at a specific speed/area to dock it left

3. Open second app

4. Resize it again

5. Swipe again to lock it right

That’s WAY TOO MANY STEPS for something I use constantly! And when I finally get split screen set up, trying to scrub through YouTube videos triggers the resize function instead. I ABSOLUTELY HATE THIS.

The old split screen(Split View/Slide Over)was so INNOVATIVE and user-friendly - why did they remove something that worked so well?

Does anyone know a faster method or shortcut I’m missing? Or any settings that make this easier? This current process is really killing my workflow and driving me crazy!

Thanks for any tips!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

iPad Pro

Posted on Sep 19, 2025 7:12 AM

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4 replies
User profile for user: LotusPilot
LotusPilot
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
300,950 points

Sep 19, 2025 9:48 AM in response to DeadLeePool

You have presumably discovered that Split View is now accessed using menu exposed with a touch-and-hold of the traffic-light icon at upper-left of App windows. This mechanism does initially feel unintuitive to those users experiencing in using Split View in iPadOS 18.x


iPadOS multitasking has received a significant makeover from that to which you may be accustomed in iPadOS 18.x and earlier - and may take a little time to learn and adjust your workflows. You would be well advised to review the official iPadOS User Guide and the many available online tutorials (such as YouTube) to become better acquainted with the new multitasking interface and associated gestures and controls.

Work with multiple windows at once on iPad - Apple Support

OS - iPadOS 26 - Apple


Apple invites constructive feedback, comments and feature requests via their product feedback pages. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple


You are encouraged to make use of this facility in expressing any views concerning issues, bugs, or functionality changes of which you are unhappy.

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User profile for user: LotusPilot
LotusPilot
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
300,950 points

Oct 15, 2025 8:52 AM in response to CoopsLBC

CoopsLBC wrote:

Apple would be well advised to fix this horrible new method. What a mess.


This is a user-to-user technical community. Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. Other than the site Moderators, Apple neither monitors nor participates within this Community. As such, your comments posted here will not be seen or acted upon by Apple.


As stated in my previous reply, Apple invites constructive feedback, comments and feature requests via their product feedback pages. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple


Established habits die hard - and we humans are pre-programmed to resist change. Like you, I and others initially found the new controls to appear over complex - but with just a little practice, have now become second nature. If you take just a little time to familiarise yourself and practice with the new UI, it really does become intuitive.



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Is there an easier way to Split View/Multitask on iPadOS 26?

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