"Restored" new iPad from iPhone. Apps copied, but folders not.

Apple does invite submission of comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback portal. If you would like to see changes to functionality in a future version of iOS/iPadOS, this would be the most appropriate channel to make your wishes known to Apple:

Product Feedback - Apple

What might “the folder structure” mean exactly?

For example, I keep my folders in iCloud Drive, which means they’re immediately accessible on all my Apple devices using the Files app (or Finder on a Mac). They are not stored in an iOS or iPadOS backup.

As the iPad and iPhone differ considerably in screen layout, the Home Screen locations and/or App-folder structure are intentionally not restored when restoring an iPhone backup to an iPad (or vice versa).

By contrast, when restoring an iPhone backup to an iPhone - or an iPad backup to another iPad - the Home Screens layout and App folders are restored.

EuanPreston wrote:

I’m referring to iOS app folders.

Does this mean internal folders that the app provides, over which you have no control and should have no interface other than through the app, or does it mean folders you created and/or used to supplement the app’s data and augment what is stored with and associated with the app?

The former is the app developer’s responsibility. The latter is your responsibility, and should be stored in some other independent folder structure.

You are very welcome.

Oh. I did not understand that from your post, but LotusPilot did and answered your question. It did not occur to me your original post referred to Home Screen folders.

Glad your issue was properly addressed.

Enjoy your Apple gear.