iPadOS 26.2 is awful. slowed all iPad funtions to a crawl, multiple windows function is far, far less functional than Split View and often closes apps to disappear. I absolutely hate it. How do I revert to prior version?
iPad, iPadOS 26
Rolling-back to an earlier version of iOS/iPadOS is not possible. Perhaps consider that iOS/iPadOS updates include both functional and essential security updates. Restoring an earlier version of the OS would undermine the security of your device and your personal data.
All System Updates are digitally signed by Apple - and can only be installed whilst the digital signatures remain valid. After release of a new iOS/iPadOS version, the immediately preceding version continues to be digitally signed by Apple - however, usually within a few days, Apple will revoke the digital certificate with which the earlier version is signed.
If your iPad is not operating as expected, try a forced-restart - as this will often clear an isolated or post-update software issue:
Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)
If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:
If the problem persists after performing the restart, it may be necessary to reset your iPad settings. While this reset will not cause any loss of data, as a precaution, it is always wise to ensure that you have a current iCloud or iTunes backup before performing the reset:
How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
When you are happy to proceed, you can perform the reset from iPad settings:
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings
If the problem still doesn’t clear, the next step is to reset the iPad to factory settings:
Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support
Otherwise, you would be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your iPad, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:
https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044
You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to assist with troubleshooting:
Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple
Multitasking - Split and Slide Over views
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.
Start here, beginning with the opening video inset that provides a very helpful introduction to the revised multitasking environment and its operation:
Multitask on iPad with iPadOS 26 - Apple Support
These resources may also help:
Work with multiple windows at once on iPad - Apple Support
If after review you continue to have difficulties, please don't hesitate to return here for explicit guidance.
Rolling-back to an earlier version of iOS/iPadOS is not possible. Perhaps consider that iOS/iPadOS updates include both functional and essential security updates. Restoring an earlier version of the OS would undermine the security of your device and your personal data.
All System Updates are digitally signed by Apple - and can only be installed whilst the digital signatures remain valid. After release of a new iOS/iPadOS version, the immediately preceding version continues to be digitally signed by Apple - however, usually within a few days, Apple will revoke the digital certificate with which the earlier version is signed.
If your iPad is not operating as expected, try a forced-restart - as this will often clear an isolated or post-update software issue:
Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)
If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:
If the problem persists after performing the restart, it may be necessary to reset your iPad settings. While this reset will not cause any loss of data, as a precaution, it is always wise to ensure that you have a current iCloud or iTunes backup before performing the reset:
How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
When you are happy to proceed, you can perform the reset from iPad settings:
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings
If the problem still doesn’t clear, the next step is to reset the iPad to factory settings:
Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support
Otherwise, you would be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your iPad, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:
https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044
You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to assist with troubleshooting:
Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple
Multitasking - Split and Slide Over views
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.
Start here, beginning with the opening video inset that provides a very helpful introduction to the revised multitasking environment and its operation:
Multitask on iPad with iPadOS 26 - Apple Support
These resources may also help:
Work with multiple windows at once on iPad - Apple Support
If after review you continue to have difficulties, please don't hesitate to return here for explicit guidance.
Apple has never supported downgrading to a lower iOS. But you can minimize the effects this way:
Reduce Liquid Glass Effect: Fortunately, you can adjust this effect whenever you want. It should be turned on by default as soon as you install iOS 26, but you can tweak how transparent your iPhone looks. Here's how:
This user tip should be helpful.
Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community
these forums are user helping other users like yourself, it's sort of going
to a physical apple store and asking other customers their advice
This is a user helping users with tech questions forum, we are not apple
and apple do not read your posts here
you can complain to them by using their feedback channels
or reach out to their official support channels
And or
Contact - Official Apple Support
And or
Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple
Or
Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple
Its so bad. I actually don’t use my ipad anymore. Back to the laptop. Apple really dropped points on this. I can see why there shares have dropped to. I hope the next update that resolves the countless issues with function and layout are resolved. I also didn’t like the fact that they changed some settings back to default, including clock configurations without consent. This is such a fail. Very disappointing
robfutcher wrote:
I can see why there shares have dropped to.
Actually if you look at the last 6 months AAPL is up 15.79%, and outpacing the broader NASDAQ index that it is part of showing a 11.96% increase. If you are paying any attention to the stock market, you have seen recently a broad drop in stock prices and you should know exactly what the reason for that is.
Maybe so, but share value has dropped 11% since the release of the new ios, more than when compared to other big tech, except for maybe MSFT. Irrespective, discontent for this new core update to os is prolific. Something has to be done.
[Edited by Moderator]
robfutcher wrote:
Maybe so, but share value has dropped 11% since the release of the new ios
Wrong again, it was released on September 15 with an AAPL price of $236.70 and a closing price today at $248.04. If you are trying to make a point, you should be using factual information otherwise it has no validity. That also includes the recent dividend payment of 26 cents/share to investors where historically any stock dips after dividend payout.
Discontent for every iOS update has never been unusual. Look back here on this support site when iOS 18 was released and you see the same comments of some who did not like it and wanted to revert back to iOS 17. To no surprise it is now iOS 18 that those want to revert back to. Stay tuned and based on history the same thing is likely to happen at the end of this year with the next iOS version. Just to refresh your memory on the reports back then when it was iOS 18 that was the worst update and how ironic it is that now it is the most beloved:
Since you said "but share value has dropped 11% since the release of the new iOS", is sounds like you are referring to iOS 26 as the "new iOS" and "they changed some settings back to default, including clock configurations" was a result of iOS 26 released on September 15, not specific to iOS 26.2.
With regards to some settings changed back to default, that was also true for iOS 18 where Automatic Updates defaults to On. There is a screen that appears at setup that says future updates will be performed automatically and if you do not want that, then you need to go into Settings and turn it back off, but most just tap the Continue button without reading it. I can post a screenshot if you do not remember that, but it gets a bit off topic.
Erm. Ios 26.2 was released 12th December. You should check your facts: About the security content of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 - Apple Support
How to revert to prior OS. 26.2 is awful.
