iPadOS 26.1 Beta 2: Slide Over makes its comeback on the iPad

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With the second beta version of iPadOS 26.1, Apple has brought back a feature that was removed in the original version of iPadOS 26. Slide Over, the popular multitasking option on the iPad, is back. Apple initially removed Slide Over because the company had introduced a new multitasking system with floating windows. However, many users missed the simplicity and convenience of the old feature.

Over the past few years, iPadOS has evolved into an operating system that brings the iPad significantly closer to a laptop. With iPadOS 26, Apple introduced a modern windowing system designed to take multitasking to a new level. However, with the transition, some familiar features disappeared, including Slide Over—a tool that enabled quick work between apps. The return of Slide Over in iPadOS 26.1 demonstrates that Apple is responding to feedback from the iPad community and reintegrating familiar user interfaces into the system.

Slide Over is back – adapted to the new multitasking system

Slide Over returns in a revised form in iPadOS 26.1 Beta 2. The feature now fully integrates with the new multitasking system introduced with iPadOS 26. It's possible to open multiple app windows at once and also overlay an app in the Slide Over window. This window remains visible while you continue working in the background. Slide Over is activated via the green icon in the top left corner of an app window. Tapping this opens the window size controls. There you'll also find a new "Enter Slide Over" button. Once selected, the app switches to Slide Over mode.

A new operating experience

When an app is open in Slide Over mode, it hovers above the other active apps. You can swipe it aside to free up the screen and bring it back with another swipe. This simple control remains, but has been enhanced with a new feature: In iPadOS 26.1 Beta 2, the Slide Over window can be resized. This allows it to be kept compact or displayed wider, depending on how much space an app needs. Even though the new Slide Over currently only supports one app at a time, it offers a good balance between simplicity and functionality. Compared to previous versions, the integration is cleaner and more stable.

Why Apple brought back Slide Over

Apple's reintroduction of Slide Over in iPadOS 26.1 Beta 2 is a clear signal. Apparently, the decision to remove the feature in iPadOS 26 was perceived by many as a step backward. While the new window system allows for significantly more flexibility, it often requires more interaction and planning. Slide Over, on the other hand, offers quick access to apps that are only needed for a short time, such as Messenger, Notes, or Calendar. By bringing back this feature, Apple is responding directly to user feedback. The new implementation is a compromise between the classic Slide Over and the modern window concept of iPadOS 26. The goal seems clear: greater efficiency and a more natural way of working on the iPad.

Slide Over and the future of iPadOS

With iPadOS 26.1, multitasking on the iPad continues to evolve into a flexible yet intuitive system. The interplay between windows, Split View, and Slide Over feels more seamless than before. Apple manages to retain classic operating principles while adapting them to modern concepts. For many who use the iPad daily, the return of Slide Over should represent a significant improvement. Especially in workflows where apps must be switched frequently, the feature ensures greater speed and fewer detours.

iOS 26.1 Update: When it will be released and what will change

iPadOS 26.1 shows: User feedback works

iPadOS 26.1 Beta 2 brings back a familiar touch with Slide Over that was missing in iPadOS 26. The feature is now better integrated, more flexible, and adapted to the new window system. Even though the new version currently only supports one app at a time in the Slide Over window, it represents a clear step toward a more balanced multitasking experience. With this adjustment, Apple demonstrates that user feedback influences the development of iPadOS – and that proven ideas continue to find their place in a modern form. The best products for you: Our Amazon Storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / Kaspars Grinvalds)