Unable to use split screens on iPad after iPadOS 26 update

Question

Level 1

18 points

Unable to use split screens on iPad after iPadOS 26 update

Hi,

I only use one device to study, my iPad and usually would be able to have multiple screens open at the same time. The main screen split into two and a pop up screen side screen that i could hide and open which I could add multiple tabs on (as seen on the image attached). With the new update, I find it almost impossible to be able to do that and if a screen is not split, touching the bigger screen automatically closes the smaller/minimised screen and that’s very inconvenient for me because I would usually be able to operate 3 screen at the same time. How do I fix this?

[Edited by Moderator]

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: IOS 26.0 : Split screens

iPad Pro, iPadOS 26

Posted on Sep 25, 2025 7:49 AM

Reply

Answer 1

LotusPilot

Level 10

311,901 points

Sep 25, 2025 9:55 AM in response to Barbiepink3

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.

Reply