Full-screen split view in iPadOS 26

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Level 1

4 points

Full-screen split view in iPadOS 26

Hi!

I updated to iPadOS 26 last night, and have been struggling to figure out if there is a way to recreate the setup I've been using for drawing ever since. I know there has been a lot of discussions about the different window management options, so I would like to preface this by saying I'm very open to learning a new workflow – I just hope I can find one that works as well as the old one did!

In iPadOS 18-ish, what I would do is open one app with art references (photos, vizref, safari, etc) in split view with Procreate. Both apps together would be full-screen, meaning they would span from edge to edge, save from the little black bar separating them, which could be used to adjust how much screen real estate each of them got.

The closest I have gotten to this in 26 is enabling windowed mode, swiping both apps into being windowed, then press-holding onto the "streetlight" triple-dot in the corner of each, and choosing to resize one app to the left, and one-to the right. This then once again gives me the bar splitting the apps, which can be used to resize them – win!

However, I find that both apps remain windowed. If I accidentally swipe around the apps' edges, I can easily resize them to be smaller – which is an issue when e.g. drawing in Procreate, where my palm should be resting on the screen, around its edge, constantly. I've also managed to break the "split-screen" behaviour, when trying to swipe-from-top to see the time – which accidentally moved one of the apps, and I had to repeat the set-up steps again.

Surely there is a way to lock them in place somehow? Am I missing anything? All I get when searching online is discussions of the iPad behaving more like MacOS, but my mac has this full-screen split-view behaviour.

Any help is super appreciated, thank you!

iPad Pro

Posted on Nov 3, 2025 1:43 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 3, 2025 7:07 AM in response to snezhi

You are very welcome. I'm always delighted to engage with usage questions such as these - as they provide opportunity to not only share hard-won knowledge, but additional opportunity to explore usage cases from the perspective of other users and learn their associated workflows.

Posting constructive comment via Apple's Product Feedback portal, as you have evidently already done, is always a good idea. You're clearly well read on potential responses from ASC contributors.

As you have already surmised, there is [currently] no way to "lock" the window size as you describe. There are no hidden settings, of which I am aware, that change this behaviour. That said, the next release of iPadOS (anticipated in the coming hours/days) may introduce some changes.

One currently undocumented gesture, that frequently catches me out, is a double-tap at the top of any App window. This reduces a maximised App to a smaller App window - or vice versa. If find this particular feature to be annoying as, when attempting to select a button/tab or menu item located towards the top edge, an intended single tap is misinterpreted by the UI resulting in an unwanted rescaling of the active window. This is perhaps reminiscent of your own experience.

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Answer 2

snezhi Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 3, 2025 6:08 AM in response to LotusPilot

Hi, thank you so much for taking the time to reply!

You were right, I had indeed already read through all of the resources you linked. I suppose in their context my question would sound more like: is it possible to "lock" windows from being resized? However, even as I type this, I suspect I know the answer, since windows frozen in their place isn't UX I've ever seen on any Apple device. The real solution would be allowing split-view back into "Full screen apps" mode.

I really don't mind the new window management – I think the gestures will take a bit of getting used to, but that shouldn't be a problem at all. The only thing that really bugs me with the update is the accidental resizing once everything is in its place – my palm accidentally picking up as a touch at the edge of the screen, and dragging the edge of the window inwards, making it smaller. The way I see it, "true" split-view would force the apps to take up all available space, thus making the screen edges irrelevant (and safe for my hand to rest on, while drawing). This feature appears to be gone for good :(

I really hope I'm wrong, and just missing some magic setting somewhere, but so far I've yet to see any signs of it :( I've left feedback, which I think this forum tends to suggest as the next step in such cases, but I have my doubts about it being implemented again – and it's really sad to see my beloved device get significantly less comfortable to operate, over a simple software update.

Thank you so much for your help, again!

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Answer 3

Nov 3, 2025 3:33 AM in response to snezhi

Given your description, you seem to have covered most of how iPadOS 26 multitasking is expected to operate. Just in case I have missed something in your explanation - or you with your described workflow, perhaps the following may help... if not, it may provide a starting point for more questioning or discussion. Procreate is not an App that I personally use, but I do heavily use multitasking with other Apps.

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 temporarily retired, Split View remains - although it is accessed differently. You can have two or three App windows side-by-side - or a split the screen into four quadrants.

To access, assuming 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.

If the App window is already maximised, swipe downwards from the top-edge of the screen to expose the new menu bar - then use the traffic-light icon as described above.

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

Windowing and Stage Manager modes are arguably far more effective when using a connected external monitor - with a screen resolution of at least full HD/2K, 4K being really useable. External 4K monitors with a screen size of 17-22" sit in a sweet-spot, providing similar screen sharpness and clarity (ppi - pixels per inch) as the iPad's screen (264 ppi).

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