In a keynote filled with largely iterative software updates, Apple unveiled a truly transformative change for the iPad with iPadOS 26. The redesigned multitasking system stands out as the most significant announcement of the day, finally delivering a true, desktop-class window manager that fundamentally redefines the device’s capabilities and addresses years of user requests.

A Desktop Experience Finally Arrives

The headline feature of iPadOS 26 is a windowing system that moves the platform far beyond the limitations of Split View and Slide Over. For the first time, users can open multiple apps in freely resizable, overlapping windows, arranging their workspace in a way that was previously only possible on a Mac or PC.

To support this new paradigm, Apple has integrated key elements from macOS. A full menu bar now appears at the top of apps, and an Exposé feature allows users to see a clear overview of all their open windows. While the functionality is a massive leap forward, the visual design of the prominent window barriers has been criticized as stark and unappealing. Despite this aesthetic choice, the update finally addresses one of the longest-standing requests from power users.

Catching Up to the Competition

While the feature is new to iPadOS, it is far from new in the tablet world. For years, competing platforms like Android have offered users robust, freeform window management, allowing for a more flexible, desktop-like experience. This long-standing feature gap has made the update’s arrival both highly celebrated and, for many, surprisingly overdue.

The introduction of a proper windowing system finally unlocks a key piece of the iPad’s hardware potential, which had previously been held back by more simplistic multitasking. It represents a fundamental shift in Apple’s philosophy for the iPad, acknowledging that its users need more powerful and flexible tools to match the device’s powerful hardware. The functional improvement is undeniable and is arguably the most important update to come out of the entire event.