Missing three dots for split-screen on iPad after software update

The three dot button to control multitasking is still present - but is visually now a traffic-light button.

The button location has changed. Instead of being top-centre of the App window (a location which frequently conflicted with controls for many third-party Apps - of which regular complaint was seen here), the button is now at top-left of App windows that are not being viewed in full screen mode.

For Apps that are being viewed in full screen mode, a simple downward swipe from the top-edge of the screen reveals the new menu bar - where the button is located at the left.

For iPadOS 26, you have a configuration choice to use Full Screen Apps only, use Windowed Apps - and for some models, Stage Manager is also available:

Settings > Multitasking & Gestures - select your preferred multitasking mode

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.

Abh2003 wrote:

The new multitasking does not work like the old split screen (with 3 dots) option. You truly cannot split the use of an app. FOR EXAMPLE, I cannot split the NY Times app so I can run a Spelling Bee game in a window and it’s related Hints independently in a separate window.

Bring back the old split screen, please!

Arguably, the three dots button does still exist - but is now the traffic-light button. If you care to read my earlier lengthy post, you'll see that the split screen function does still exist - although it is slightly different in operation.

You need to understand the Apple Support Community is a user-to-user technical forum. Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. Other than the site Moderators, Apple neither monitor nor participate here. As such, if you hope to reach Apple through these forums, you will be disappointed. Contributors here have absolutely no input or influence over Apple's design decisions.

Apple does invite submission of constructive comments and requests via its Product Feedback portal. If you would like Apple to reconsider how multitasking is implemented in iPadOS, this would be the most appropriate channel through which to make your voice heard:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

Additional...

The traffic-light icon also provides additional controls for App windows. Tap the traffic-light icon to activate and enlarge the button - then tap/select the red button to close the window, yellow to minimise and green to maximise the window to full screen.

The new multitasking does not work like the old split screen (with 3 dots) option. You truly cannot split the use of an app. FOR EXAMPLE, I cannot split the NY Times app so I can run a Spelling Bee game in a window and it’s related Hints independently in a separate window.

Bring back the old split screen, please!

For heaven’s sake, why complicate a really fun feature of the ipad??

Do this, do that, do the other, then do that next thing, then go back and do a setting that you did already, then do something else, and still you won’t have the use of 2 screens side by side without wasting time sizing and fussing and arranging and doing yet another thing.

Too. Complicated. For Fun.

Every update is an adventure in “we had to do something new, so we wrecked what worked.

Just don’t.

jrnb wrote:

For heaven’s sake, why complicate a really fun feature of the ipad??

Do this, do that, do the other, then do that next thing, then go back and do a setting that you did already, then do something else, and still you won’t have the use of 2 screens side by side without wasting time sizing and fussing and arranging and doing yet another thing.

Too. Complicated. For Fun.

Every update is an adventure in “we had to do something new, so we wrecked what worked.

Just don’t.

Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. Other than the site Moderators, Apple neither monitor nor participate here. If you hope to reach or have your comments seen by anyone at Apple via these forums, you will be disappointed. Contributors here have absolutely no input or influence over Apple's design decisions.

Apple does invite submission of constructive comments and requests via its Product Feedback portal. If you would like Apple to reconsider how multitasking is implemented in iPadOS, this would be the most appropriate channel through which to make your voice heard:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

Exactly. Terrible update. I used the split screen all day every day. Now I need several devices just to function. Well done, Apple.