I have tried everything to find the toolbar on my very new iPad, I haven’t had it long enough to learn how everything works, but I’ve never come across this problem before.Is there a patient soul out there who can help my aging brain please?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Missing toolbar?
iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 26
Make sure you have the options in the Settings App set to Windowed Apps or Stage Manager and you have the Swipe to Reveal Menu Bar option turned on there too as shown on Limnos reply.
Also make sure there's an App opened when you swipe down, it won't work if there is no app opened.
If all is set correctly and the menu bar still won't appear, then try restarting your iPad.
click here ➜ Restart your iPad - Apple Support
Like someone asked, which app?
If I use gmail as an example, I have to swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the toolbar.
Not the answer I was hoping for, but at least I know that it isn’t possible AT THE MOMENT!
I’ve had this option previously with different desktops/laptops and found it useful. Hoping Apple will consider adding this option. Thanks.
Presumably you are using the iPadOS 26 Windowed Apps mode. A short downward swipe fro the top-edge of the screen will expose the App's top menu bar:
If the swipe gesture doesn't expose the menu bar, verify that this function is correctly enabled in iPad settings:
What toolbar exactly?
Is this inside a specific app?
If so, which app?
Are you maybe referring to the Dock at the bottom of the screen that holds frequently used apps?
If you can explain what exactly you are talking about someone may be able to advise.
The menu bar was originally only available on Macs. Only now with iOS 26 is it also available on iPads and requires you have the option in Settings ➜ Multitasking & Dock set to Windowed apps or Stage Manager.
If you have it set to Full-Screen Apps it won't be available.
If you have it set to Windowed App or Stage Manager, then swipe down from the top of the screen to make it appear. It will be hidden by default and there is no option to have it shown always.
Rosiwater wrote:
I’ve been swiping downwards, and under normal circumstances, the toolbar should then be visible, but nothing appears, not even the stop, minimise etc. it’s just not there!
Did you check your settings to make sure they look like the picture Limnos posted?
Things have moved on so much recently. I have 3 MacBooks, first one bought in 2010, last third one 2017/8, mini iPad 2014, last iPhone was 13 Pro Max. I’m nearly 76 now and suddenly with this newest iPad from Apple, for the first time, I’m struggling to get to grips with it. Very frustrating!
You're very welcome. I'm delighted that with guidance you have resolved your problem.
As for keeping the toolbar persistently visible, sorry, this isn't supported. Apple does invite submission of feature requests via its Product Feedback portal. If you would like to see changes in a future version of iPadOS, this would be the most appropriate channel through which to register a request:
In which app?
It’s the bar that’s usually at the top of everything, it displays all the “working” options like view, format, edit etc. does that make sense?
I’ve been swiping downwards, and under normal circumstances, the toolbar should then be visible, but nothing appears, not even the stop, minimise etc. it’s just not there!
Thank you so much to everyone who posted their helpful support, I now have the toolbar. Yay 👍🏻 Now I just need to know how to keep it visible all of the time.
That’s where I was going wrong! Thanks
You're welcome. Glad it worked out.
How to find the missing toolbar on a new iPad?
