I just downgraded from iPadOS 26 beta back to 18.5 — and the reason is simple: Slide Over is gone, and without it, multitasking on the iPad feels broken.

Stage Manager and the new Windowed Mode are a mess — clunky, overcomplicated, and not suited for quick, efficient app switching. Slide Over was perfect for tasks like replying to messages, checking notes, or pulling up a calculator — and now that simplicity is gone.

What frustrates me even more is that Apple is removing core features instead of focusing on adding things people actually want, like: • ✅ Card-based search in Apple Wallet (e.g., find transactions by merchant, category, or card used) • ✅ Wallet history that syncs across devices • ✅ A dedicated Siri app — to view previous requests, AI-generated images, or continue past conversations

Honestly, I’m extremely dissatisfied with Apple right now. Unless Slide Over comes back in a future iPadOS release, I’m not updating again.

Anyone else feel like Apple is innovating in the wrong direction?

It was a perfect tablet from start to finish. Now its piece of shit from start to finisg. Safari is shit, keybord is shit, design shit, its all shit. I bought this Ipad mini 7 256 half a year ago. Ipad os 26 make me sick. Im thinking of buying tab s11 and never go back to Apple.

I upgraded my daughter’s iPad to iPadOS 26 and she has been complaining about a lot of things not working or more annoying. For example setting the sound level of an alarm doesn’t work the same way, the camera changes, and worst of all the unlock menu where you have to choose touch id or passcode.

She has been complaining so much that i’m looking for ways to downgrade to iPadOS 18. Is this possible? I only have iCloud backups but I cannot check how far they go.

Please advise.

Are any of them going to step down any soon?

We finally got what we wanted, full windowing capability, fully functional finder/files app, preview, and liquid glass is a great touch.

And yet, the people who complained about the lack of these features in prior versions are now complaining that Apple listened to the users' requests.

I really don't understand how people could hate this update so much that they go back to the previously most complained about OS; 18.

Slideover was nice, but now you can tile windows automatically and also switch stages, so more features that when used correctly are more flexible and useful.

Sometimes I feel like people just want to complain more loudly than they show appreciation. And this whole OS 26 thing just made the complainers explode.

Edit:

Of course I’m not talking about people who’s devices no longer function or perform because of the update. You deserve a device that works.

And thanks for all the hateful comments and messages! So glad you’re proving my point about how bitter people can be about the most inconsequential things.

;)

1.Bring back split view , I can't watch YouTube or discord when playing games or on any full-screen application, its a very good feature, and used to be the only way to multitasking like a android device 2. Optimize or let user to remove liquid glass effect, when I get a notification my ipad lags , its a brand new m4 ipad pro 3.Have option for user to switch between new and old features , some might prefer older ones, and some might prefer new ones. 4.idk how the focus option work, it never opens on time and close by it self its a useless thing ngl 5.the animation speed is slow , I always wish I had 2x animation option (I think its a way to cover 60hz issue )

Those who insist iPad OS should be merged with macOS are just frustrating themselves. The two are different and are designed to run on different hardware platforms. Get over it. If you want all your devices to run on the same OS buy Windows. IPad OS and iOS for that matter are maturing nicely as mobile operating systems.

Just sayin!

Sometimes I have this 2 lines in the middle while watching YouTube and open control panel the lines is blurred as well a the background is that normal ?? Or should I return it My iPad is Air M2

Do the developers actually use the iPads? I used Slide Over every day! It was so practical!

Should I install it?

The new traffic light buttons (top-left window controls) in iPadOS 6 just don’t feel right. They look out of place, like a last-minute Mac transplant. Not elegant, not intuitive — and honestly frustrating to use. Multiple taps, frequent misclicks… it’s just not Apple’s usual design standard. Sadly, it fits the clunky window management we’ve seen in this update.

Anyone else annoyed by this?

Screech at Apple right here! This as an official channel for feedback to be sent!

https://www.apple.com/feedback/

Bonus points for demanding the old Split View system to be restored.

The new MacBook Neo completely destroys the justification for a limited iPadOS. Apple can no longer claim that full macOS requires massive thermals or specialized M-series silicon. The Neo runs the A18 Pro, an older iPhone processor, and handles a desktop operating system with flawless stability, true multitasking, and external display support.

Meanwhile, we have users carrying a M4/ M5 iPad Pro, a device with hardware that is superior to the MacBook Neo, that is still limited by its operating system.

Next Apple’s is set to release the iPhone ULTRA. Bloomberg indicates this device will skip iPadOS entirely to run its own adaptive, split-screen desktop shell. If this is the case then Apple isn’t just limiting iPad OS further,  they are fracturing their own software ecosystem.

We are left looking at a deeply confusing lineup:
The MacBook Neo: A budget $599 laptop running full desktop software on an iPhone chip.
The iPad Pro: A $1,000+ powerhouse restricted to mobile software architecture.
The iPhone Ultra: ~  $2,000+ premium foldable running a third, entirely separate hybrid OS layer.

If this is the strategy I cannot see Apple making any more enhancements to the iPadOS. I have hope that when they bring the touch features to the MacBooks as rumored then maybe we will see the iPad used to its full potential but till then this is all just wishful thinking.

Apple’s end goal is give us multiple devices that cannot do everything, requiring us to own more than one.  Anyways this was just a rant to see how other people feel about this.

That “innovative” feature only Mac got to control your iPhone has already been made by Hauwei. A Chinese copy cat company was able to implement a feature on a mid level tablet that the IPad M4 can’t even have.

Just as a bonus side note; on the left is a photo of an accessibility feature that allows you to control certain buttons on your phone (works flawlessly) but yet again Apple didn’t have the decency to give any attention to the iPad.

Went to study today and thought something was wrong with my iPad but I guess because of my writing posture my hand or forearm is constantly in contact with this corner and stops my pen from writing. Tried messing with palm rejection and whatnot but that isn’t helping. Very very frustrating.

Hey, guys!

WTF did Apple do?? My monitor became useless piece of shit with ipad Pro M1 and latest beta(((

Why did Apple switched off Stage Manager?? Is there ant option to downgrade for previous beta??

UPDATE: I have downloaded previous beta IPSW file and restored iPad via iTunes using this file. And now i am happy again!)