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iPadOS 26.2 Beta 3 Adds New Drag and Drop Multitasking Functionality

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In the initial version of iOS 26, Apple removed Slide Over and Split View multitasking in favor of a new window-based multitasking system. A replacement for Split View was available in an added tiled mode, but Slide Over was entirely gone.

ipados 26 1 slide over
iPad users missed Slide Over, so Apple brought basic Slide Over functionality back in iPadOS 26.1. In the latest beta of iOS 26.2, Apple is further tweaking Slide Over to make it work more like it did in iPadOS 18.

As long as you have at least one app open on the Home Screen, you can drag and drop other apps into various multitasking views, including Slide Over. You can drag an app from the Dock, Spotlight search, or the App Library to the far left or far right of the display to enter Slide Over mode, or to the left or right sides to enter a tiled view that's similar to Split View. You can also drag an app to the middle to open up a bigger or smaller window. There are visual indications that let you know when an app is in a left, right, or Slide Over position.

If you already have an app open in Slide Over or two apps in a tiled view, you can drag an app over the top of one of the existing apps to put the new app in its position. Unlike iPadOS 18, the prior app stays open so you can go back to it if you close the new app.

iPadOS 26 users who missed how multitasking worked in iPadOS 18 will now have options to use the ‌iPad‌ in much the same way. iPadOS 26.2 is expected to launch to the public this December.

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Top Rated Comments

Black.Infinity Avatar
Black.Infinity
16 weeks ago
I didn’t like this style of multitasking on my 11-inch iPad Air M3. Maybe if I had a 13-inch, my experience would be better. I just prefer the old-style split-screen method.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
Love-hate 🍏 relationship
16 weeks ago
I just want split view
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
klasma
16 weeks ago

IT’s still there, and actually more flexible because you can split the screen between more apps, screen size permitting.

I suggest selecting Windowed Apps in multitasking settings, or adding its toggle to Control Centre if you only need it occasionally. When you need to split the screen, slightly drag the resize control at bottom right of an app, then long press the traffic light buttons and tap the half of the screen you want it in. Yeah, it’s annoying that control isn’t accessible without downsizing an app first.

Drag another app on screen. Then repeat the long press on its traffic light buttons.
I think you just described how it’s not there in any convenient way.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
D
DunedinD
16 weeks ago

As long as you have at least one app open on the Home Screen ('https://www.macrumors.com/guide/home-screen/'), you can drag and drop other apps into various multitasking views, including Slide Over.
That’s a pretty horrible description of it. As long as you have at least one app open and have enabled Windowed Apps or Stage Manager…

One of the most awkward things about Slide Over in 26.1 is that you can’t use it when Full-Screen Apps is enabled. Apple is far too literal by not allowing Slide Over in that mode.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
MikeSmoke
16 weeks ago
It's nice to see these convenience features making their way back to a vastly superior windowing method from previous iPadOS versions. Refinement is a good thing.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DribbleCastle Avatar
DribbleCastle
16 weeks ago
If this works like it used to, I'll be super excited. Dragging apps from a spotlight search into split view or slideover was THE way i used to multi-task on iOS 18 and prior. The new windowing mode is nice, but doesn't make as much sense on the 11". Very happy that Apple is continuing to refine multi-tasking options in these .1 and .2 updates. In previous years, they would wait until next WWDC.

Looks like i'm getting back on the beta train for another month.

Update: Just tried it and it's pretty good. Feels a little different with how it visually represents the split screen, and maybe a touch too aggressive with the swiping gesture for when an app leaves the screen. But way way better in terms of putting an app into the newly returned slide-over mode.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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