Apple Brings Back Split View and Introduces New Slide Over Gesture with iPadOS 26.2

In a recent update to its iPad operating system, Apple has brought back two popular features that were previously available on older devices: Split View and Slide Over. These upgrades are part of the latest iPadOS 26.2 release, which promises to enhance the overall user experience on iPads.

Split View Returns

Split View is a feature that allows users to view two apps side by side on their iPad screen. This was introduced in iOS 9 and has been a staple on Apple devices ever since. However, with the release of iPadOS 26.2, Split View is once again available for all iPads.

How to Use Split View

To access Split View, you can follow these steps:

1. Open two apps that support Split View.
2. Tap the green "Split View" button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
3. The two apps will be resized to fit the screen, and a blue bar will appear separating them.

New Slide Over Gesture

The new Slide Over gesture is another significant upgrade introduced with iPadOS 26.2. This feature allows users to easily switch between two apps without having to navigate through menus or swipe gestures.

How to Use the New Slide Over Gesture

To use the new Slide Over gesture, you can follow these steps:

1. Open an app and tap the "Slide Over" button in the top right corner of the screen.
2. A small window will appear on the left or right side of the screen, depending on which app was opened first.
3. You can now drag apps from your dock into this window to snap them into place.

Benefits of the New Slide Over Gesture

The new Slide Over gesture offers several benefits over the previous method of switching between apps. Some of these benefits include:

• Faster switching: The new gesture is much faster than navigating through menus or swiping gestures.
• More intuitive: The gesture is more intuitive and requires less effort to use.

Other Features in iPadOS 26.2

In addition to Split View and the new Slide Over gesture, iPadOS 26.2 also includes several other features that enhance the overall user experience on iPads. Some of these features include:

• Improved multitasking: The new update improves multitasking capabilities by allowing users to easily switch between apps.
• Enhanced security: The update includes enhanced security features, including better protection against malware and phishing attacks.
• Performance enhancements: The update also includes performance enhancements that improve the overall speed and efficiency of iPad devices.

Conclusion

The release of iPadOS 26.2 is a significant upgrade for Apple's iPads, bringing back two popular features that were previously available on older devices: Split View and Slide Over. The new Slide Over gesture is faster, more intuitive, and offers several benefits over the previous method of switching between apps. With these upgrades and other features, iPadOS 26.2 promises to enhance the overall user experience on iPads and provide a more productive and enjoyable experience for users.

System Requirements

To take full advantage of the new features in iPadOS 26.2, you'll need:

• iPad model: Any iPad model that supports iPadOS 26.2.
• Processor: At least an Apple A9 processor or later.
• Memory: At least 3GB of RAM.

Availability

The iPadOS 26.2 update is available for download from the App Store and can be installed on all compatible iPads.

Compatibility

The following iPads are compatible with iPadOS 26.2:

• iPad (5th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad Pro (11-inch)
• iPad Pro (12.9-inch)