Did Apple remove Split View and Slide Over in iPadOS 26?

Why the Current Approach Feels Overcomplicated for Daily Use

Last year, Apple introduced a major overhaul of multitasking on the iPad with iPadOS 26, replacing the familiar Split View and Slide Over with a new windowing system. While the change aimed to bring more desktop-like flexibility, it initially removed the simpler multitasking options users had grown accustomed to. Those features eventually returned, but only through the more complex new interface, leaving many users frustrated by the added steps required to perform basic tasks.

The new windowing system in iPadOS 26 brought powerful capabilities, such as resizable windows and overlapping apps, but it came at the cost of usability for everyday workflows. Simple actions like quickly referencing a note while reading an article or replying to a message while browsing now require navigating through multiple menus or gestures. This complexity contrasts sharply with the intuitive, muscle-memory-driven experience of the previous Split View and Slide Over implementations, which allowed users to activate multitasking with a single swipe or tap.

Many iPad users rely on the device for light productivity, note-taking, or media consumption rather than heavy multitasking workloads. For these users, the overhead of managing window sizes, positions, and groupings often outweighs the benefits. The current system assumes a level of precision and intent that doesn’t match how people actually use their i Pads in casual or mobile settings. A return to a more streamlined mode—where basic split-screen access is immediate and optional advanced features are tucked away—could better serve the broad user base.

How Could Apple Balance Simplicity and Power in iPadOS 27?

Apple could introduce a dual-mode multitasking system: a simplified default for quick Split View and Slide Over access, with an optional advancedtoggle for users who want full windowing controls. This would preserve the power of iPadOS 26 for professionals while restoring ease of use for students, creatives, and everyday users. Gestures could be refined—for example, a long swipe from the corner to instantly open Slide Over, or a double-tap on the app switcher to snap two apps side by side—without burying core functions behind layers of interaction.

The consequences of not addressing this usability gap risk alienating the iPad’s core audience, who value the device for its immediacy and simplicity. If iPadOS 27 fails to refine multitasking toward user intuition, Apple may see growing dissatisfaction among those who chose the iPad precisely because it just works. Looking ahead, a thoughtful balance between innovation and accessibility could reinforce the iPad’s role as a versatile, user-friendly tool rather than a compromised laptop substitute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Apple remove Split View and Slide Over in iPadOS 26? Yes, the original versions of Split View and Slide Over were initially removed when the new windowing system launched, though they were later reintroduced within the updated framework.

Is the new windowing system in iPadOS 26 available on all iPad models? The windowing features introduced in iPadOS 26 are supported on iPad models that can run iPadOS 26, primarily newer iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad models with sufficient processing power and display capabilities.

Can users still use multitasking without learning the new windowing system? Basic multitasking is still possible, but accessing Split View or Slide Over now requires interacting with the new windowing interface, which adds complexity compared to the previous, more direct methods.