iPadOS 26 — Loss of Split View and Slide Over

I’ve never been seriously upset with Apple over an update before. Usually, I give new changes some time and eventually adapt. However, the iPadOS 26 update is the first that’s made me genuinely consider switching to another tablet platform — and I’ve been exclusively Apple/iOS since the very beginning. Of course, the problem is

I’m deeply frustrated that **Split View** and **Slide Over** — two intuitive, everyday features that became second nature — have been completely removed. These were core to how I used my iPad. I even taught elderly members of my community how to use these features during the pandemic so they could video conference on Zoom while using another app at the same time.

I use the Magic Keyboard and touchpad about 50% of the time, and the issue isn’t about input method — both touch and keyboard worked seamlessly with Split View and Slide Over.

I understand that features evolve. But I’ve never encountered a situation where not one, but two major functions I used were simply removed. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have updated. I don’t have time to watch hours of videos or read multiple blogs before each update just to check if critical functionality might disappear. I expect change and improvement and learning curves — but not outright removal of features that define the iPad experience.

As for the new “split screen” system, I understand the goal of introducing Mac-like window resizing. But removing the ability to simply drag an app from the dock to one side of the screen — something that previously took just three intuitive gestures — makes no sense. Why not include previous gestures ***and*** support the Mac-like window resizing? I essentially already do this on Mac with extensions like Magnet. But I can’t use an extension that alters OS-level functionality on iPad. What used to be a quick, fluid process now requires several extra, less intuitive steps.

Previously:

1. Swipe up to show the Dock 2. Tap and hold an app 3. Drag it to one side of the screen

Now it takes at least five steps:

1. Swipe down from the top (or move the cursor to the top) 2. Tap and hold on the red/yellow/green buttons 3. Wait for the resize menu to appear 4. Choose a resize option 5. Repeat steps if the second app isn’t already open

Even once in split-screen mode, I can no longer drag the divider fully left or right to quickly return one app to full screen — another intuitive behavior that’s gone.

I’ve already submitted feedback to Apple and even contacted support to see if there’s any way to revert to the previous OS. I’m willing to erase and start over if that’s what it takes, but support confirmed there’s no rollback option, and no other alternative. That means my iPad Pro— which I specifically purchased instead of a MacBook because of these multitasking features — has lost core functionality that I relied on every day.

I’ve heard that Slide Over may “return” in a future update, but from what’s been shown so far, it appears to be more limited and less capable than before (only one app in slide over…?!)

This update has broken something essential about how many of us use and value the device.