For those who have updated to iPadOS 26, do you regret it? Or are you enjoying the updates? Would you keep it or go back if you could?
I have not yet updated my iPad to iPadOS 26, but I did update my iPhone and Mac to 26. My thinking on both is, “Meh… I liked the old version better, but the changes are no deal-breaker.”
I am reluctant to upgrade the iPad to iPadOS 26.2. I borrowed an iPad with that version for about five minutes, and I struggled with the windowing and split screen setup.
I would like to use the new DevonThink 4, but it only works on iPadOS 26. I saw that the new OmniOutliner also only uses iPadOS 26. Obviously other apps will be coming that only support v.26. I’m debating whether to update or stick with the previous iPadOS? Are the OS changes something you get used to, just tolerate, or really appreciate?
What’s your current windowing setup on your iPad? Just wondering what you want to set up with 26. They sort of reintroduced slide over in a point release, if that was an issue.
If I’m not using one full screen app, I’ll use split screen with two apps. I swipe between that and another screen that have a third & fourth app in split screen.
I have the 11" M2, but I see where 13" would be beneficial with v.26. That way all four apps could more comfortably fit on one screen.
I’ve never been much of a slideover user, but that may be the solution if I update. It might be just that I need to get comfortable with the changes and learn best to adapt.
I hate it that it seems to forget window placements/window dimensions for an app when switching from landscape to portrait and back. It seems to remember the sizes for a while when switching orientation, then it resets them to unusable sizes where they stretch outside the viewable area in portrait orientation, requiring resizing the window again so one can actually work with an app. Windows still require fiddling and cannot be set to exact dimensions in pixels but only in preset increments, making the experience still bad IMHO. Traffic lights still often obscure UI elements in apps, even in major ones.
I’ve progressed from total hatred of liquid glass to resigned acceptance. I was perfectly happy swiping between full screen apps because I’ve spent years doing the same thing on 13 inch MacBooks.
I preferred having two instances of Files open together when I tapped the icon to now having to switch to Stage Manager and manually launch and position two individual Files windows each time I’m doing a lot of file management. And the existing “Slide Over” solution is worthless, IMO.
However, I plan to keep using iPads, until something better comes along, and like they say “you can’t fight the future”. So I’ve made peace with iPadOS 26.
OTOH I don’t plan to “upgrade” to macOS Tahoe. Last night I got a pop up on my MacBook Air with a choice of Reboot (and upgrade to Tahoe) or Not now (or something like that). If Apple slips an unwanted upgrade past me, I’ll sell my MBA and buy a Framework laptop.
I have not upgraded my iPad because I have heard lots of negative things about iPadOS26. Like you I am interested in updating to Devonthink 4 and the new Omnioutliner on my iPad. I might pull the trigger and just get on board so I can use those apps. Like @WayneG said, “you can’t fight the future.”
I suspect I use my iPad as extensively as most users on this forum, and perhaps more so. I own both the M4 11" and 13" iPads. I have no strong opinion about Liquid Glass, but I consider the other features a significant improvement over the previous iPadOS. I have encountered no difficulties, and I particularly appreciate the windowing capabilities and the ability to run applications in the background while working on something else.
I run both DEVONthink To Go 4 and OmniOutliner 6 on both iPads. The new versions are better than their predecessors. I have encountered no issues, but keep in my mind needs and workflows are not particularly complex.
You have to be careful about overweighting the negative opinions, especially as they’re posted repeatedly. They’re valid opinions, but with a mainstream operating system, there is going to be a substantial silent majority, including people who really like it.
There’s no harm in waiting a long time to upgrade, even if you aren’t worried about negative opinions, of course.
That functionality still exists in Windowed Mode. Just select Arrange->Left & Right and you have 2 apps in split screen including the grab handle in between to change the proportion of the left and right windows.
