9to5Mac58%
iPadOS 27 still needs simpler multitasking 71%
By Michael Burkhardt76%
7/11/2026, 2:05:01 PM
BS Summary: This article contains 27 faulty reasoning types, including Negativity Bias, Anecdotal, and Attempt to Sell a Product or Service, with Biased Writer Voice as the most egregious example at 72.6% saturation with 530 hits. Analysis detected 2,105 faulty-reasoning hits from 730 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 63.6% and a BS Rank of 71% (6,439 of 21,887 articles). This article is worse (more manipulative) than 70.60% of the article peer group.
iPadOS 27 still needs simpler multitasking, here’s what I’d like to see
Michael Burkhardt | Jul 11 2026 - 2:05 pm PT
Last year, Apple completely reinvented multitasking on the iPad, with the introduction of windowing in iPadOS 26.
At first, this meant the removal of the simpler version of multitasking, Split View and Slide Over.
Those features did eventually return , but at a cost – they required you to use the clunky new windowing system.
I was hoping iPadOS 27 would improve this, but it didn’t.
To be clear, I don’t actually have a total opposition to the new windowing system in iPadOS 26 (and now 27).
It has a time and a place, and when I’m trying to bounce between multiple apps at once on my 13-inch iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard , it works exceptionally well.
I have mixed feelings about it on smaller iPads, but it’s fine.
What I don’t like, however, is the fact that the only other option (other than Stage Manager, which is more of a feature within windowing than a different option) is to use every single app in full screen – with no sort of flexibility.
What I’d like to see
As mentioned earlier, iPadOS 26 did eventually bring back Split View and Slide Over in later betas – but you can only use them if you only have windowing turned on.
This meant that if you wanted the simpler versions of multitasking, you had to deal with all of the layers of complexity meant for pro users.
It’s certainly fine, but at times it simply gets annoying that you have to position your windows just right for it to snap into Split View or Slide Over, whereas it was much more seamless prior to iPadOS 26.
It’s also a loss for people who love windowing, because if you drag your window ever so slightly wrong, it might enter Split View when you don’t want it to.
Apple does let you long press the traffic lights to get more specific toggles for managing Split View and Slide Over states, but this also doesn’t feel right for just simple iPad usage.
Split View and Slide Over belong on iPadOS for sure, but shoveling them in within windowing makes it more complicated than it needs to be, even a year later.
Ideally, there’d be two sets of multitasking options on iPadOS: Classic and Pro.
Classic would largely open apps in full screen, but have the options for Slide Over and Split View, and Pro would have the windowing that iPadOS 26 introduced.
Within Pro, there’d also be an option to enable/disable Stage Manager.
Overall, I just feel like Apple took the iPad too far in one direction for Magic Keyboard /laptop replacement users, and the multitasking experience is a bit lacking for those who just want their iPad to be an iPad.
Bringing back a “simple” multitasking option would go far in that direction.
How do you feel about iPad multitasking since iPadOS 26?
Let us know in the comments.
My favorite Apple accessory recommendations:
Anker MagSafe/Qi2 Ultra-Slim Battery Pack
AirPods Pro 3 (2x ANC vs AirPods Pro 2!)
Anker Nano 45W Fast Charger with Smart Display
Anker Nano 13-in-1 MacBook Docking Station
Logitech MX Master 4 Mouse for Mac
Belkin Qi2 3-in-1 MagSafe Charging Stand
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Michael is 9to5Mac’s Weekend Editor, keeping up with all of the latest Apple news on Saturday and Sunday.
He got started in the world of Apple news during the pandemic, and it became a growing hobby.
He’s also an indie iOS developer in his free time, and has published numerous apps over the years.
Michael Burkhardt's favorite gear
Anker 25K Compact Battery Bank
Featuring two built in cables, a built in display, multiple ports, a 25,000mAh capacity, and up to 100W of output - this is one of the best battery banks for recharging your entire Apple ecosystem on the go.
AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)
Despite a new version reportedly being around a corner, I still personally believe AirPods Pro 2 are a great deal.
They're already equipped with USB-C, and continually gain new software features.
With them consistently going on sale, it's a great purchase to make.
Features like Adaptive Audio are incredible.
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