Apple’s iPadOS 26 marks a major leap in multitasking, blending the iPad’s trademark ease of use with the robust features of a desktop. This update introduces new multitasking tools aimed at boosting both productivity and adaptability, so whether you’re a casual user or a professional, your workflow can become more seamless and efficient. Key highlights include all-new multitasking modes, improved window management, and advanced monitor support, fundamentally changing how users engage with their device.
Multitasking Modes for Every Workflow
- iPadOS 26 brings three unique multitasking modes to fit a wide range of needs:
- Full-Screen Mode: Ideal for distraction-free focus, this mode highlights one app at a time for immersive reading, writing, or watching.
- Stage Manager: Perfect for those who want flexible control, Stage Manager lets you arrange groups of apps in windows, complete with a side panel and dock, merging the best aspects of both tablet and desktop multitasking.
- Windowed Mode: This new feature offers full control to resize and arrange multiple app windows, creating a dynamic and customizable workspace—great for professionals juggling complex tasks.
These options mean you can fine-tune the interface to suit anything from simple browsing to heavy-duty multitasking.
Enhanced Window Management
Window management in iPadOS 26 has been reinvented for greater flexibility and ease. Enhanced Split View and Slide Over modes now allow smoother interaction between apps. The new Exposé-style multitasking view provides an overview of up to 12 open windows, making it easier to keep track of tasks. Persistent Slide Over windows let you stay focused on your main activity while secondary apps remain accessible.
Window arrangement is now more precise, thanks to updated touch and trackpad gestures. In addition, you can use Spotlight to drag apps directly into your workspace, and expanded keyboard shortcuts make app management faster than ever.
Compatibility and Device Support
All compatible iPads can take advantage of iPadOS 26’s multitasking features, but experience varies depending on your device’s hardware. M-series iPads unlock full external monitor support, creating additional workspace—a game-changer for video editors, coders, and other professionals. However, older and non-M-series iPads are limited to screen mirroring for external displays, so not all multitasking features are available on every device.
Performance, Limitations, and What’s Next
Performance gets a boost in iPadOS 26. Enhanced background processing allows tasks like file exports or downloads to run smoothly while you focus on other work. Multitasking gestures and window resizing now feel more fluid, ensuring a faster overall experience.
Despite these gains, there are some drawbacks. Only a single audio source can play at a time, which is inconvenient for anyone who wants to mix music with video calls or editing. The lack of clamshell support for external monitors means the iPad can’t function with the lid closed in desktop setups. Some users might also find the new multitasking options less intuitive at first, but Apple continues to refine the system, and future updates are expected to further streamline multitasking.
Looking ahead, iPadOS 27 will likely expand on these capabilities, further blurring the line between tablets and computers.
