Multitasking is so difficult on iPadOS 26

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, assuming 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.

If the App window is already maximised, swipe downwards from the top-edge of the screen to expose the new menu bar - then use the traffic-light icon as described above.

Windows that are not full-screen can simply be snapped to either side of the screen with a simple flick.

When returning to a Home Screen, windows that are seen to the side of the screen with just an edge showing are still running; a tap of the visible edge will restore the App to the screen.

Apple invites constructive feedback, comments and feature requests via their product feedback pages. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

If you would like to see additional multitasking options or controls in a future version of iPadOS, this would be the most appropriate channel through which to make a request.

jofromhove wrote:

It is not simply about established habits but ease of use and such wonders as accessibility, which Apple has predictably made even worse. It’s now a nightmare for disabled users. To go from something functional and efficient to this, where you simply do not have these options by voice, and obviously lose the formally brilliant multiple multitasking windows (each divided, each ready in the background), is appalling, especially when there appears to be no way to keep apps grouped and ready to use, nor even any way for disabled users to use such a fundamental feature by voice (even able-bodied users complain about the number of steps and taps). This may be the first time I’m returning an iPad. It’s unusable in its current form.

I fully understand your comments and concerns. Disabilities of various kinds affect many people in many ways, be they physical, visual or others. Significant changes to an OS or Apps can negatively impact, at least in the short term, established workflows for many users.

Apple have well established Accessibility support - these tools evolving along with the OS. In you are having difficulty with iOS/iPadOS 26.x, you would be well advised to seek assistance from Apple Support - and request help from their specialist Accessibility Team. You can reach the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page.

Alternatively and potentially easier, you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your Apple devices, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

You may also be able to access additional help at the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store - some of which have an Accessibility Specialist on their staff:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Apple also invite submission of constructive feedback, comments and feature requests via their product feedback pages. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

You are encouraged to make use of this facility in expressing your views or concerns about functionality changes of which you are unhappy.

Submit feedback to Apple. These are user-to-user forums and Apple is not here.

Feedback - iPad - Apple

It is not simply about established habits but ease of use and such wonders as accessibility, which Apple has predictably made even worse. It’s now a nightmare for disabled users. To go from something functional and efficient to this, where you simply do not have these options by voice, and obviously lose the formally brilliant multiple multitasking windows (each divided, each ready in the background), is appalling, especially when there appears to be no way to keep apps grouped and ready to use, nor even any way for disabled users to use such a fundamental feature by voice (even able-bodied users complain about the number of steps and taps). This may be the first time I’m returning an iPad. It’s unusable in its current form.

Kirinic wrote:

It's an inevitable fact that this feature has gone over-complicated. Why would I want to watch a video for something I figured out in seconds because the function simply spoke for itself? Even if there's easier way to accomplish what I've been struggling with, I still have to do at least 3 or 4 clicks for it to mimick what used to be. Hope you listen to your feedbacks.

This is a user-to-user technical community. Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. Other than the site Moderators, Apple neither monitors nor participates within this Community. As such, your comments here will not be seen by Apple.

To reiterate - Apple invites constructive feedback, comments and feature requests via their product feedback pages. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

Established habits die hard - and we humans are pre-programmed to resist change. Like you, I initially found the new controls to appear over complex - but with just a little practice, have now become second nature. If you take just a little time to familiarise yourself and practice with the new UI, it really does become intuitive.