For years, iPad users have whispered a desire: a touchscreen MacBook. Now, with the arrival of iPadOS 26, that dream edges closer to reality. This isn't a minor tweak; it's a fundamental shift, bringing macOS-inspired windows, a familiar menu bar, and a robust file management system to the iPad experience.
Apple has always walked a tightrope with the iPad, cautiously adding computer-like features without fully committing to a laptop replacement. iPadOS 26 doesn’t quite dethrone the MacBook, but it narrows the gap significantly, particularly for those frustrated with previous limitations in multitasking and organization.
But amidst this move towards a more traditional computing experience, Apple surprised everyone by resurrecting a beloved feature: Slide Over. This wasn’t a forward step, but a thoughtful return to a functionality many users sorely missed.
Slide Over, a staple of iPad multitasking for years, allowed users to summon a narrow, vertical app window from the side of the screen. It was the perfect solution for quick access to messaging or social media while focusing on primary tasks – a fleeting glimpse at information without disrupting workflow. Imagine effortlessly pulling up a messaging app while writing a document, then seamlessly dismissing it with a swipe.
Surprisingly, Slide Over vanished with the initial release of iPadOS 26, perhaps deemed redundant with the introduction of more conventional window management. Whether due to user outcry or a change of heart within Apple, it’s back, refined and ready for action in iPadOS 26.1.
The updated Slide Over isn’t identical to its previous iteration. To access it, you must first be using Stage Manager or windowed mode, selectable from Control Center or within the Settings app. From there, a long press on the app window’s controls reveals the “Enter Slide Over” option.
The app then transforms into that familiar, slender window on the right side of the display, easily dismissed with a swipe. Importantly, you can now resize the Slide Over window, adapting it to your needs while retaining its quick-access functionality.
Ready to experience the evolution of iPadOS? The 26.1 update, including the return of Slide Over, is available now through the Settings app under General and then Software Update. Beyond Slide Over, you’ll discover refinements like enhanced control over Liquid Retina displays.
For those already embracing the cutting edge, Apple is currently testing iPadOS 26.2 through its beta program. This next iteration introduces a highly requested feature: the ability to add alarms directly to reminders, further blurring the lines between convenience and power.
