7 Incredible Ways iPad Multitasking Became Smarter with iPad OS 26 Update

Let’s be real — iPads have always been that “in-between” device. Not a laptop, but better than just a tablet. I’ve had a couple over the years, and although I adored the screen, portability, and looks, one thing prevented me from fully committing: multitasking on iPad was sort of… meh.

But Apple eventually decided to break it out of safety mode. With iPadOS 26 out, things have gotten serious — and for the good. I’ve had the update on a standard iPad and an iPad Pro, and sincerely? Multitasking on iPad Pro has never felt so powerful, smooth, and dare I say — laptop-material.

In this review, I’m dissecting how iPad multitasking has come a long way, particularly with the introduction of split screen on iPad, what the new tools are like, and how you can now really get things done on the move — without having to lug your MacBook along.

Table of Contents

1. iPad Multitasking in 2025: What’s New with iPad OS 26

If you’re like me, then you likely updated your iPad on autopilot and didn’t have high hopes. But the iPadOS 26 update really shakes things up when it comes to multitasking. It rolls in a nicer interface, more intelligent app snapping, and more enhanced window control — all aimed at making your iPad actually function like a true productivity machine.

Here’s what jumped out right away:

Resizable app windows (at last!)
Enhanced Stage Manager that actually makes sense
Enhanced drag and drop between apps
Support for external monitors with more flexibility

Before this, iPad multitasking felt a bit too rigid. Now, it feels like I’m working on a smaller Mac — and I’m loving it.

2. Split Screen in iPad: It Actually Works Like It Should Now

We’ve all attempted the OG iPad split screen feature. And though it “worked” technically, it was usually clunky, restricted to two apps, and frankly… more of a hassle than helpful.

But with iPadOS 26, Split View on iPad has been redesigned with fluidity in mind. You can now:

Drag a second app from the dock or Spotlight directly into split view
Tweak window sizes without it snapping back like a cranky boomerang
Open the same application in two windows (hello, Notes on each side!)

One of my favorite enhancements is the smoothness. I can open Safari and have a floating Notes window in the sideline while consulting a to-do list in Reminders — all within one workspace.

And if you’re on an iPad Pro, it’s even more fantastic. The M2 chip makes these tasks a breeze, so multitasking on iPad Pro is a delight for creatives, students, and remote employees alike.

3. The Magic of Stage Manager on iPad

Admit it: I hated Stage Manager when Apple debuted it. It was half-baked. But with iPadOS 26, they’ve refined it beautifully.

Now Stage Manager enables:

Four live apps on screen at a time
Grouped app windows in resizable fashion
Smooth transitions from workspace to workspace

The wonderful thing? You can really use your iPad as a desktop, with floating, overlapping windows. There is some adjustment to make, but once you have — multitasking is second nature.”.

I’ve been editing photos in Lightroom and chatting in Slack and researching on Safari all at the same time. And to my surprise, it didn’t feel like juggling fire swords.

4. External Display Support — At Last Done Right

This may well be my top pick: external display support is now finally legit.

It used to feel like mirroring a giant iPhone when you’d connect your iPad to an external monitor. But now, with iPadOS 26, you have a proper extended desktop.

That means:

Separate workspaces on both screens
Dragging windows across displays
Running different apps on iPad and external screen

This makes the iPad Pro a real contender for serious productivity setups. If you’re a designer, coder, writer, or anyone who craves screen real estate, this alone is worth the update.

5. The App Ecosystem Has Caught Up

Multitasking is only as good as the apps that enable it. Fortunately, third-party developers have come through. With iPadOS 26, more apps now offer:

Split view and slide-over
Persistent floating tools
Keyboard and trackpad controls

Examples include:

Notability allows me to drag Safari clips directly into notes.
LumaFusion has floating panels for video editing.
Microsoft Word and Excel cooperate well in split view.

It’s no longer solely Apple’s apps that are performing the heavy lifting. The ecosystem now really does support true iPad multitasking, which smooths out everything.

6. Practical Multitasking Situations That Now Work

Here are a couple of quick examples of how I’ve utilized this new multitasking workflow in real life:

Workday: Slack to one side, Calendar floating, Notes hovering for super quick ideas.
Student Mode: PDF textbook in one window, Notes app in split view, calculator on top.
Content Creation: Canva on one side, YouTube reference video in Slide Over, and Safari tabs in the background.

These were clunky or impossible before. Now, they’re natural. That’s the real magic of iPad multitasking done right.

7. Should You Upgrade or Use It Every Day? Here’s My Take

If you’re the person who:

Works from home or remotely
Enjoys using an iPad multitasking for content creation, studying, or planning
Wants a productivity machine that’s lightweight and yet not a full laptop

Then yes—the iPadOS 26 update and its multitasking features are 100% worth your time.

Video Source: Apple

Even if you are only a casual user, the improvements make getting around on the iPad feel less like a passive screen and more like an interactive tool.

And if you do own an iPad Pro, believe me — it glows. The strength of the chip combined with the multitasking improvements really takes multitasking in iPad Pro to a new level.

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Final Thoughts

We prayed for years that the iPad would mature into something that could really do real work. With the iPadOS 26 update, it has

The enhanced iPad multitasking, combined with smart features like split view in iPad, better app control, and full external monitor support, puts this device into productivity beast mode.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get more done with your iPad — this is it.

FAQs

Q1: What is the best way to activate split view in iPad after the iPadOS 26 update?
Swipe up to go to the dock, then drag an app to the edge of the screen to enter split view. It’s quicker and smoother now.
Q2: Is iPad Pro’s multitasking better than on standard iPads?
Yes. iPad Pro’s M1 and M2 chips deliver buttery smooth multitasking with no lag even with several apps open.
Q3: Can I have more than two apps open simultaneously on iPad now?
Yes! With Stage Manager, you can have as many as four apps open at the same time, and even more in the background.
Q4: Does the new multitasking support external monitors?
Yes. iPadOS 26 finally provides full support for external displays — extended screen, not mirroring.
Q5: Do I need an Apple Pencil or a keyboard to multitask?
Not at all. Although accessories assist, you can completely utilize multitasking with only touch — although using alongside a Magic Keyboard improves the experience.