The latest iPad software update, iPadOS 26.1, arrived yesterday with a big upgrade for productivity: Slide Over is back. Here’s how the new version of Slide Over works, and why I’m so excited by its return.
iPadOS 26’s new windowing system had one flaw, but Slide Over fixes it
I’ve used the iPad Pro as my primary computer for a full decade, ever since the first iPad Pro debuted.
Over the years I’ve learned to work within the limitations of iPadOS. But I was very excited for iPadOS 26 to upgrade productivity like never before.
The new windowing system for apps is exactly what many iPad users have wanted for years. Yet despite its strengths, there was one flaw.
Slide Over and Split View, two features that had been core to iPad multitasking for years, were removed entirely.
You can largely replicate the benefits of Split View with iPadOS 26’s new system, but not Slide Over.
Here’s what Slide Over does, per Apple’s description:
In iPadOS 26.1 or later, you can set one window as a Slide Over window to stay open on top of other windows. You can also move the Slide Over window off screen and bring it back when you need it.
In iPadOS 18, I would use Slide Over all the time to quickly pop in and out of apps while keeping my main app fully in view and accessible.
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