iPadOS 26.1 Beta 2 Reintroduces Slide Over Multitasking

With the second beta of iPadOS 26.1, Apple tweaked multitasking on the iPad to reintroduce the Slide Over feature. Slide Over was removed in iPadOS 26 because Apple replaced it with a new windowed multitasking system, but some ‌iPad‌ users missed the feature.

ipados 26 design
The updated version of Slide Over works with all of the new ‌iPadOS 26‌ multitasking features. You can have multiple app windows open, and then use Slide Over to quickly get to an app that overlays your windowed apps.

To use Slide Over in iPadOS 26.1, you'll need to tap on the green icon of an app's window to open up the window sizing controls. From there, you can tap on the "Enter Slide Over" button.

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When an app has been put into Slide Over mode, it transitions into a Slide Over window that stays over your other open apps. You can swipe to hide the Slide Over app from view, and then swipe to bring it back again. The Slide Over window can be resized as needed, which is new in iPadOS 26.1.

Slide Over in iPadOS 26.1 beta 2 supports a single app, so it's not quite the same as the older version of Slide Over, but it should be a welcome addition to those who were missing the option.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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Top Rated Comments

Kylo83 Avatar
18 weeks ago
We need simple split screen when using full screen apps, that’s what people want back
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
18 weeks ago
YES!

To all those that say Apple aren’t paying attention to feedback on forums and in general discourse, I present to you this reversion.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
germanbeer007 Avatar
18 weeks ago
Overlapping windows makes zero sense on the iPad.

Let iPad be iPad and let Mac be Mac. This is so stupid.

People who want iPad to be a Mac are insufferable. Just buy a Mac.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
david_n_n Avatar
18 weeks ago
This was by far the main complaint from casual users, which we need to understand is perfectly fine! Devices should be easy to use!
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
18 weeks ago
It takes more taps to invoke, and you can’t switch between slideover apps.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M5RahuL Avatar
18 weeks ago
Not falling for it.. Will stay on 18.6.2 for as long as I can!!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)