Restoring previous split-screen functionality in iPadOS 26 multitasking mode

Usil7 wrote:

I must say that I have used my Apple Pro for several years and I most often used the split screen. Please bring that function back. If a Mac can do it, so should the IPAD pro. Very disappointed will force me into an unwanted lap top but it will not be an Apple..gee thanks guys!

While the previous Slide Over view has [for now] been retired, Split View remains - although it is accessed differently. You can have two or three App windows side-by-side - or a spit the screen into four quadrants.

The button location has changed. Instead of being top-centre of the App window (a location which frequently conflicted with controls for many third-party Apps), the button is now at top-left of App windows that are not being viewed in full screen mode.

For Apps that are being viewed in full screen mode, a simple downward swipe from the top-edge of the screen reveals the new menu bar - where the button is located at the left of the menu bar.

Choose the button that corresponds with layout that you need; the current App window will move aside, allowing you to open another App; the selected view will open the selected Apps in their own windows - which can be resized laterally, as before, by dragging the divider to left or right.

Once understood, controlling App windows using the button is straightforward - and using it will become second nature as you become accustomed to this revised control.

Remember, for iPadOS 26, you have a configuration choice to use Full Screen Apps only, use Windowed Apps, or Stage Manager mode as you prefer:

Settings > Multitasking & Gestures - select your preferred multitasking mode

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

Feedback - iPad - Apple

Unfortunately there is no way to go back. And now you cant downgrade to iPadOS18 anymore either. I would recommend sending Feedback to Apple. There is a considerable number of articles and posts elsewhere about people also missing Slide Over and Split View. I left my feedback during the 2 hours I was in the Beta, then I downgraded it back to 18. I use those features all the time so unfortunately I wont be upgrading for the time being.

Cdrown427 wrote:

Yes, apple. Please bring back the more simple and the actual BEST split screen back. At least make it available when you are in the “full screen apps” mode.

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/04508879-6bfd-4387-a7f4-5741c5502f77

This is a user-to-user technical community. Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. We have absolutely no influence over Apple's design decisions - other than to offer constructive feedback, comments and feature requests via their product feedback pages. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

Beyond the site Moderators, Apple neither monitors nor participates within this Community. As such comments here are unlikely to be seen or acted upon by Apple.

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

While the previous Slide Over view has been retired, Split View remains - although it is accessed differently. You can have two or three App windows side-by-side - or a spit the screen into four quadrants.

To access, ensure that the current App window is not maximised; touch-and-hold the traffic-light icon at top-left of the App window to expose the Fill & Arrange options:

The current App window will move aside, allowing you to open another App; the selected view will open the selected Apps in their own windows - which can be resized laterally, as before, by dragging the divider to left or right.

cassiofm wrote:

I know… this is basically useful (maybe) for people using the iPad as a laptop with keyboard. For handheld touch device it lost a lot of versatility and speed. Everything feels clunky and slow and takes so many extra steps. Let’s keep sending feedback, maybe they will listen.

Change always appears more complex when first introduced. iPadOS 26 is no different in this respect to introduction of earlier major versions, such as iPadOS 17/18, both of which introduced substantial changes to multitasking.

Multitasking in iPadOS 26 is arguably considerably more flexible than earlier versions - and it is accommodating this additional flexibility that has required changes to the touch-control interface.

For the benefit of other readers, Apple invites constructive feedback, comments and feature requests via their product feedback pages. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

I figured it out so basically while you’re in like the middle of using the window, you have to be like in the multitasking like where you’re using the window where you’re on your application and you like have selected to use the window right and then you lightly just like slide up and press on the top a little bit and then you can select you can select window move and resize and then basically pick from there and then just alternate like you know how much you want shown obviously from the split screen and that’s how you do it

I know… this is basically useful (maybe) for people using the iPad as a laptop with keyboard. For handheld touch device it lost a lot of versatility and speed. Everything feels clunky and slow and takes so many extra steps. Let’s keep sending feedback, maybe they will listen.

Have you sent feedback to Apple yet using the provided link?

For the current multitasking features, review the information provided here:

Multitask on iPad with iPadOS 26 - Apple Support

We are unable to comment on any improvements made in iPad OS 26.1 as it still is in beta and would be a violation of the terms of use. There may be improvements made based on user feedback. Apple won't review your post here, but they will see users feedback when they use that link.

Usil7 wrote:

I must say that I have used my Apple Pro for several years and I most often used the split screen. Please bring that function back. If a Mac can do it, so should the IPAD pro. Very disappointed will force me into an unwanted lap top but it will not be an Apple..gee thanks guys!

You will have to wait and see what happens in the next update. Apple won't see your post here, so hopefully you used the feedback link that has been provided to let them know.

I’m having the same issues, the new multitasking is so annoying for people who were used to the past slide-over and split screen. Hopefully Apple restores those functions in a future update for people who prefer the old multitasking.

I must say that I have used my Apple Pro for several years and I most often used the split screen. Please bring that function back. If a Mac can do it, so should the IPAD pro. Very disappointed will force me into an unwanted lap top but it will not be an Apple..gee thanks guys!

What happens to my split view? What the **** did you do it MR APPLE? Please bring it back, I really need split view so handy when I do my work 😭😭😭😭

Yes, apple. Please bring back the more simple and the actual BEST split screen back. At least make it available when you are in the “full screen apps” mode.