According to 9to5Mac, Apple has released iPadOS 26.1, bringing back the Slide Over multitasking feature that was removed from iPadOS 26.0. The restored feature allows users to designate any app window as a Slide Over window using the ‘Enter Slide Over’ option behind the green traffic light window control. Users can quickly hide or reveal Slide Over windows using the ‘Globe key + \’ keyboard shortcut, and the windows now float above all other applications. However, unlike iPadOS 18’s implementation that allowed multiple apps in a single stack, the current version limits users to one app at a time while adding new resizing capabilities. The update also includes various bug fixes and performance improvements based on beta testing experience, available through Settings ⇾ General ⇾ Software Update on compatible iPads. This partial restoration raises questions about Apple’s long-term vision for iPad productivity.
A Strategic Retreat in iPad Productivity
Apple’s decision to remove and then partially restore Slide Over reveals deeper strategic challenges in iPadOS development. The initial removal in iPadOS 26.0 likely stemmed from user interface complexity concerns, particularly as Apple continues to push the iPad toward professional workflows. However, the swift reversal suggests significant user backlash or internal metrics showing decreased productivity among power users. This pattern of feature removal and restoration isn’t new for Apple – we saw similar back-and-forth with the iPhone’s battery percentage indicator and various macOS features. What’s concerning is that these productivity features should be stabilizing rather than fluctuating with each update, especially as Apple positions the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement. The company’s social media channels have likely been flooded with feedback from users who depend on these multitasking capabilities for their daily workflows.
The Productivity Tradeoffs
While the return of Slide Over is welcome news for iPad power users, the feature limitations represent significant compromises. The loss of multiple-app stacking fundamentally changes how users approach quick task switching. Previously, you could maintain a productivity stack with messaging, notes, and calculator apps accessible with a swipe. Now, users must choose between a single Slide Over app or the more cumbersome process of switching between full apps. The new resizing capability, while useful, doesn’t compensate for the lost efficiency of stacked apps. This suggests Apple may be simplifying the multitasking model to reduce cognitive load for average users, but at the expense of power user workflows. The company’s video demonstrations likely showcase the simplified approach, but real-world productivity scenarios often require more sophisticated window management.
Future iPadOS Direction Concerns
The inconsistent approach to iPadOS window management raises questions about Apple’s commitment to transforming the iPad into a true productivity platform. If core multitasking features can disappear and reappear with fundamental changes between minor point releases, it creates uncertainty for both users and developers. Third-party app developers building productivity tools must now wonder whether to invest in Slide Over integration when the feature’s future seems unstable. More importantly, this instability undermines Apple’s “what’s a computer?” marketing narrative – professionals cannot rely on platforms where essential workflow tools might vanish with the next update. The performance improvements mentioned are welcome, but they don’t address the fundamental issue of feature consistency that’s crucial for professional adoption.
Competitive Landscape Pressure
Apple’s multitasking indecision comes at a time when competitors are rapidly advancing their tablet productivity features. Samsung’s DeX mode and Microsoft’s Surface tablet experience offer more consistent and sophisticated window management that doesn’t change dramatically between updates. Even Google’s Android tablet ecosystem is stabilizing its multitasking approach. Apple risks losing its productivity-focused user base if these users cannot trust that their workflow investments will remain viable across iPadOS updates. The company needs to establish a clear, stable multitasking philosophy rather than reacting to user feedback with partial restorations. The current approach feels like temporary fixes rather than part of a coherent long-term vision for iPad productivity.
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