As noted in a Reddit thread earlier this month, iPadOS 26 expands Stage Manager to all iPad models compatible with the software update.
Stage Manager on iPadOS 16 from the WWDC 2022 keynote
On iPadOS 18, Stage Manager is limited to the following iPad models:
13-inch iPad Pro (M4 chip)
12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation and later)
11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later)
iPad Air (5th generation and later)
On iPadOS 26, Stage Manager is available on the following iPad models:
13-inch iPad Pro (M4 chip)
12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation and later)
11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later)
iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
iPad mini (5th generation and later)
iPad (8th generation and later)
iPadOS 26 introduced an all-new app windowing system on all iPad models compatible with the software update, allowing users to freely resize and rearrange multiple windows in a single space, like on a Mac. Stage Manager remains available as an option for users who prefer it, though, and now it is available on a wider range of iPad models.
Stage Manager lets you arrange multiple app windows in groups, across multiple spaces, providing a more organized and focused multitasking experience. On iPadOS 26, you can switch to Stage Manager mode via the Settings app. When using Stage Manager mode, apps still benefit from the new windowing features, including "traffic light" controls.
Apple introduced Stage Manager with iPadOS 16. The feature was initially limited to iPad models with an M1 chip and newer, but Apple expanded it to iPad Pro models with an A12X or A12Z chip with iPadOS 16.1, in response to customer feedback. However, the ability to use Stage Manager on an iPad connected to an external display is limited to models with an M1 chip or newer, and that remains the case even on iPadOS 26.
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Stage Manager lets you arrange multiple app windows in groups, across multiple spaces, providing a more organized and focused multitasking experience. However, you cannot bounce back and forth between the new windowing system and Stage Manager on iPadOS 26, and instead can only choose one or the other in the Settings app.
I don't get the point of having two independent windowing systems like this.
I don't get the point of having two independent windowing systems like this.
This is still very confusing, but okay.
Transitional thing.
I've once again made an update after your comment @EugW.
Hopefully this is more clear:
Stage Manager lets you arrange multiple app windows in groups, across multiple spaces, providing a more organized and focused multitasking experience. On iPadOS 26, you can switch to Stage Manager mode via the Settings app. When using Stage Manager mode, apps still benefit from the new windowing features, including "traffic light" controls.
Stage manager should have never been released. It’s terrible. Glad they finally gave in to traditional windowing. They need to stop with deprecating their products for the sake of their “ philosophy, at least for the pro devices. Just get out of the way and allow the consumer to have the tools to make them the most productive instead of a “philosophy” on what tools we should or should not have.
I don't get the point of having two independent windowing systems like this.
It’s the same now as on the Mac. You can turn off stage manager and have independent windows, or you can turn it on and have the new window system with stage manager. Personally, I really like having it on so it keeps apps in certain groups that I can define.
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Stage Manager on iPadOS 16 from the WWDC 2022 keynote
