According to 9to5Mac, Apple has released iPadOS 26.1, bringing back the Slide Over multitasking feature that was removed from iPadOS 26.0. The update 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 feature now supports custom window resizing for the first time. However, iPadOS 26.1 removes the ability to stack multiple apps in Slide Over, limiting users to a single app at a time. The update also includes various bug fixes and performance improvements and is available through Settings ⇾ General ⇾ Software Update on compatible iPads. This partial restoration of features suggests Apple is still refining its iPad multitasking vision.
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A Calculated Step Backward
Apple’s decision to restore Slide Over while removing multi-app stacking represents a fascinating strategic retreat. The company appears to be acknowledging user backlash against the complete removal of Slide Over in iPadOS 26.0, but they’re not fully reverting to the previous implementation. This partial restoration suggests Apple is testing what aspects of multitasking users truly value. The addition of window resizing—a feature users have requested for years—serves as a consolation prize for losing app stacking. This pattern of removing features only to partially restore them later isn’t new for Apple, but it’s particularly noticeable in iPadOS where the company has struggled to define a coherent multitasking philosophy that balances power and simplicity.
The Productivity Paradox
For power users, these changes create a mixed experience. The ability to resize Slide Over windows finally addresses a long-standing limitation, making the feature more adaptable to different workflows. However, losing multi-app stacking significantly reduces efficiency for users who frequently switch between reference materials, communication apps, and utilities. The single-app limitation means users must now choose between constantly reopening different Slide Over apps or relying on the more cumbersome Split View. This creates a productivity paradox where Apple improves one aspect of the experience while degrading another. The keyboard shortcut for quick access remains valuable, but the overall utility has diminished for users who relied on Slide Over as a quick-switching hub for secondary tasks.
Enterprise and Education Consequences
The changes in iPadOS 26.1 have particularly significant implications for enterprise and education users who have standardized on iPad workflows. In classroom environments, teachers often used multi-app Slide Over to quickly switch between attendance systems, lesson plans, and communication tools during instruction. Similarly, field service technicians and healthcare professionals relied on app stacking to maintain multiple reference materials while working with primary applications. The shift to single-app Slide Over may force these organizations to reconsider their iPad deployment strategies or develop new workflow patterns. While the performance improvements mentioned in beta testing reports might benefit these users, the functionality reduction could outweigh those gains for specific professional use cases.
Reading Apple’s iPadOS Roadmap
This update provides important clues about Apple’s future direction for iPad multitasking. The company seems to be moving toward a cleaner, more focused approach where each window management method has a distinct purpose. By limiting Slide Over to single apps but making those windows more flexible, Apple may be positioning Stage Manager as the primary solution for complex multi-app workflows. This suggests we’re seeing the early stages of a broader reorganization of iPad multitasking paradigms. The mixed response to Stage Manager’s introduction and subsequent refinements indicates Apple is still searching for the right balance. As the company continues to gather user feedback through these incremental changes, we can expect further evolution of the iPad’s productivity capabilities in future updates.
Strategic Market Positioning
Apple’s cautious approach to iPadOS features reflects the company’s broader challenge in positioning the iPad against both traditional computers and emerging tablet competitors. By maintaining some differentiation between iPad and Mac multitasking capabilities, Apple preserves the distinct identity of each product line while avoiding cannibalization. However, this strategy risks frustrating professional users who want iPad to function more like a traditional computer when needed. The partial restoration of Slide Over demonstrates Apple’s willingness to respond to user feedback while maintaining control over the platform’s evolution. As competing platforms like Android tablets and Chrome OS continue to enhance their multitasking capabilities, Apple must carefully balance innovation with stability in iPadOS development.
