iPadOS 26.1 brings back Slide Over like in the good old iPadOS 18

In the second beta version of iPadOS 26.1, Apple has returned the Slide Over feature – a compact multitasking mode that allows you to run an app in a floating window above others. This capability was removed in iPadOS 26 in favor of a new multi-window system, but many iPad users expressed dissatisfaction with its absence.

Now Slide Over works together with the new features of the multi-window mode in iPadOS 26. The user can open several app windows and then quickly summon another in overlay mode. To activate Slide Over, you need to tap the green window control icon and choose "Enter Slide Over." The app will switch to a floating window that can be hidden with a swipe and brought back at any moment.

In iPadOS 26.1, the ability to resize the Slide Over window has been added – this is a new feature that was not available before. Currently, only one app is supported in this mode, but for many users, this is a welcome return of a familiar convenient feature.