How can I allow Split View on my iPad running iPadOS 26?

Ok calm down! See, LotusPilot just copies search results from Google and pastes it in the Post box which are vague and unclear. Let me explain, so with iPadOS 26, the three multitasking activation dots are now moved to the top where they are invisible and they now visually are a traffic light button. You just need to swipe down and long press that button and select your mode of multitasking. It can be side by side, top and below or one full app and a Slide Over. Before that, Go to Settings, Multitasking & Gestures and check if the version is to Windowed apps or Stage Manager. If it is on one of the both, you can follow the procedure. Or even more simple. Just be on the app you like, swipe up slightly and stop mid way immediately when you see the dock, long press an app and drag it to left or right and that is it. Welcome to Split View!

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, 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.

I certainly agree. It is far more complicated now and takes a lot longer to figure out simple things like being able to swipe up to close the apps. I wish the three dots were still at the top. They were straightforward, quick, and easy to use. It's also not so easy to maximize the app you're on once you are finished multitasking. Really, so many keystrokes, and figuring out how many fingers to use to do this or that, and exactly where to place them is becoming overly complicated and frustrating. Sometimes, less "help" is better than more. When a new feature is introduced, it would be thoughtful of Apple to give you the choice of using it or not using it, and a simple toggle to either use it or not to use it.

my Org used "Split Screen" in iPadOS18 and its continued use is needed going forward of multiple apps.

Im fully aware of the changes in iPadOS26, but Im very confused by the following.

• There is still a SHORTCUT standard for Split screen.
• If that is utilized, there is a different behavior of the shortcut
  • If in STAGE MANAGER, the shortcut opens the two apps defined in the shortcut properly
  • If in WINDOWED mode, then a strange behavior of various apps open with use of the shortcut.

I was surprised that when in the WINDOWED mode, the apps defined in the shortcut are NOT constantly called to the screen

Thoughts?

The new stage manager is absolutely frustrating .

I use my ipad for work and use two Apps on screen everyday and most of the time. But now my fast workflow is much slowed down.

Please Apple. Go let the user decide if they want Split View or the new Stage Manager.

Here is a great example that shows how complicated the new Stage Manager is compared to the old Split View.

https://youtu.be/spOPvD6R53g

onlyeji wrote:

It no longer allows us to screenshot from the corner option when you’re on a multi-task window. It was really helpful for me as a student, since it was quick and easy. :( I hope this gets fixed.

For iPadOS 26, to avoid conflict with window resizing, the corner swipe gesture with your finger is inhibited when using the Windowed Apps and Stage Manager multitasking modes - but remains available using the Full Screen Apps mode. In all modes, the corner-swipe gestures are accessible when triggered with an Apple Pencil.

Totally agree I recently just update my iPad to the newsoperating system it is a nightmare and I can tell you I hate it. I love the split review. This is what I used. I pay for easy to have a two Windows side-by-side. I can study techno lesson music and watch TV but now everything is getting so complicated and I still don't know what the **** the difference between stage management and the wi. I hope just get worse and worse. They turn iPad into a computer so what is different between iPad and Mac Air . I think a lot of people will get rid of iPad and switch the Samsung, which offer much much better product activities and currently there's no difference between an iPad and MacBook.

boxuanfromhalifax1 wrote:

Totally agree I recently just update my iPad to the newsoperating system it is a nightmare and I can tell you I hate it. I love the split review. This is what I used. I pay for easy to have a two Windows side-by-side. I can study techno lesson music and watch TV but now everything is getting so complicated and I still don't know what the **** the difference between stage management and the wi. I hope just get worse and worse. They turn iPad into a computer so what is different between iPad and Mac Air . I think a lot of people will get rid of iPad and switch the Samsung, which offer much much better product activities and currently there's no difference between an iPad and MacBook.

Split View still exists - and with a little practice, the new controls become second nature. Perhaps reading the guidance provided in my earlier replies to this thread will help to clarify how multitasking features are accessed in iPadOS 26.

We humans often resist change, but we must evolve - just as commercial products will evolve to maintain relevance in the marketplace. You are of course able to choose the device (and Operating System) that best meets your needs - including those that you perceive to be "simpler" and easier to use. Be mindful that other manufacturers devices may also evolve over time.

Apple invites submission of constructive comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback portal. If you would like to see the ability to use the earlier/simpler multitasking features with which you are accustomed, this would be the most appropriate channel to make you voice heard.

For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

I just have to go on record to say the new multitasking option and missing 3 dots for split screen is VERY ANNOYING!!!

As a multitasking person, this recent update does not make the multiple screens easier at all!

It’s awkward and creates more steps.

There should be an option to have the split screen like it used to be!

Im all in for upgrades, but only if they make sense and don’t cause more frustration!

Nathan Jones2 wrote:

Split view does NOT exist. I just checked the guidance.

Split View surely does exist in iPadOS 26/26.0.1 - and as of release of iPadOS 16.1 today, Slide Over View has also been restored.

The old method was three intuitive gestures to complete a split screen. It’s at least five now and is not always successful first time. Also, the split breaks repeatedly if you switch to a different app. It’s not a matter of getting used to it, the new method is retrograde and doesn’t function properly. It also produces less screen real estate as the curved window corners reduce usable screen with no purpose. I think this has been discussed enough now. The new version needs improvement.

Nathan Jones2 wrote:

The old method was three intuitive gestures to complete a split screen. It’s at least five now and is not always successful first time. Also, the split breaks repeatedly if you switch to a different app. It’s not a matter of getting used to it, the new method is retrograde and doesn’t function properly. It also produces less screen real estate as the curved window corners reduce usable screen with no purpose. I think this has been discussed enough now. The new version needs improvement.

Tell someone who can do something about it:

Product Feedback - Apple

No doubt the revised iPadOS 26 multitasking environment will continue to be developed and further refined over the lifetime of this major version. Refinements introduced with iPadOS 26.1 and 26.2 are perhaps just the start of improvements that might be anticipated over the lifespan of iPadOS 26.x.

Whomever is responding from Apple Support,

You are not understanding what we mean by the three dots at the top of the window.

Yes, we see the traffic light buttons — red to close, yellow to minimize, and green to expand. However, the traffic light does NOT provide the same options as the three-dot menu did.

Specifically, there is no option to add or open another window.

When I am working with two windows, I expect both windows to remain open. Instead, the system is pushing one window aside or sending it down to the bottom, which is causing me to lose data while actively working.

This change is disrupting workflow and causing real issues.

Please restore the previous behavior or provide a way to open and keep multiple windows active at the same time, the way it worked before.

Thank you.

wiggles3331 wrote:

Whomever is responding from Apple Support,

You are not understanding what we mean by the three dots at the top of the window.

Yes, we see the traffic light buttons — red to close, yellow to minimize, and green to expand. However, the traffic light does NOT provide the same options as the three-dot menu did.

Specifically, there is no option to add or open another window.

When I am working with two windows, I expect both windows to remain open. Instead, the system is pushing one window aside or sending it down to the bottom, which is causing me to lose data while actively working.

This change is disrupting workflow and causing real issues.

Please restore the previous behavior or provide a way to open and keep multiple windows active at the same time, the way it worked before.

Thank you.

Responses here do not originate from Apple or Apple Support.

Please understand that the Apple Support Community is a user-to-user technical forum. Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. Other than the site Moderators, Apple neither monitor nor participate here.

Not all Apps are coded to support multiple instances (i.e. more than one) or windows. For those Apps that do, launching a second App window is not immediately intuitive. The easiest method of launching a second instance of an App that support multiple windows is to first add (i.e. drag) the App to the iPad dock.

When you wish to open a second window, use the traffic-light button to initiate multitasking windows - then tap the App within the dock. If the App supports multiple windows, you see all currently open windows that are running - along with a "+" button to launch a new App window.