Can You Use Apps Like Windows on iPad? Yes with iPadOS 26!

Introduction

With iPadOS 26, Apple introduced windowed apps, a major step forward in making the iPad feel more like a computer. Instead of forcing every app into full screen, you can now resize, move, and arrange them in windows. This change gives you the flexibility to work with multiple apps side by side, just like you might on a Mac or PC. It’s perfect for multitasking, staying organized, and tailoring the iPad to fit your workflow.

Put iPad in Windowed Mode

The first step in using windowed apps is enabling windowed mode. This allows apps to open in smaller, resizable windows instead of taking over the entire display. Once it’s turned on, you’ll notice that apps no longer feel locked into a single view. This is especially useful if you’re working on multiple tasks at once, such as referencing a document while writing an email. Windowed mode essentially transforms your iPad into a more versatile productivity tool.

Transition an App to a Window

After opening an app, you can easily transition it into a window. Instead of staying locked to full screen, you can shrink it down and move it around. This is great for keeping one app handy while working in another—say, keeping Notes in the corner while browsing Safari. Having apps in separate windows also gives you a better sense of control, since you can decide how much space each one takes up. It’s a flexible way to multitask without constantly switching back and forth.

Spaces

Windowed apps also make use of Spaces, which are like virtual desktops. You can group apps together into their own space and quickly switch between them when needed. For example, you could keep all your work apps in one space and entertainment apps in another. This separation helps reduce clutter and makes it easier to focus on what you’re doing. Spaces give the iPad a more organized, computer-like feel that’s perfect for managing multiple projects.

Full Screen Apps

Even though windowed mode is powerful, there are times when you might want to go back to full screen apps. Full screen is best when you want to minimize distractions and focus entirely on one task, like reading an article or editing a photo. With iPadOS 26, you can move between windowed and full screen views easily. Having this flexibility means you don’t have to choose one style of multitasking—you can switch depending on what works best in the moment.

View and Manage Spaces

To keep track of your apps, you can view all your open spaces at once. This overview shows you every app and window you currently have running. From here, you can quickly move between spaces, close the ones you no longer need, or rearrange them for a smoother workflow. Think of it as a bird’s-eye view of everything happening on your iPad. It’s especially helpful when you’ve been working with several apps at the same time.

Resize and Move Windows

One of the best features of windowed apps is the ability to resize and move windows. You can drag the edges or corners of a window to make it larger or smaller, depending on how much space you need. You can also move windows around the screen to set up your perfect layout. For example, you might keep a spreadsheet on one side while typing notes on the other. This flexibility makes the iPad much more adaptable to different tasks and workflows.

Window Controls

Every window comes with its own set of controls to help you manage it. These let you minimize, expand, or close the app without leaving your current workspace. The controls are designed to feel familiar if you’ve used a computer before. They make it simple to organize your apps and keep only the ones you need visible. Having quick access to these options helps keep multitasking smooth and efficient.

Close or Minimize a Window

If you no longer need an app, you can close the window to remove it entirely. But sometimes you just want to get it out of the way for now. In that case, you can minimize the window, which keeps the app running but clears it from your main workspace. This is handy when you expect to come back to the app later, such as when waiting for an email or message reply. Minimizing helps you focus on the task at hand while keeping your apps ready in the background.

Open in Full Screen

Sometimes a smaller window isn’t enough, and you’ll want to open an app in full screen. With one quick step, you can take a window and expand it so it fills the entire display. This is useful when working on something detailed, like editing photos or watching a video, where extra screen space makes a big difference. You’re free to move between windowed and full screen views depending on what the situation calls for.

Fill and Arrange

When you’re juggling multiple apps, the Fill and Arrange feature helps organize your screen automatically. It can snap windows into neat layouts without requiring you to manually adjust each one. This is especially useful if you like to keep multiple documents or apps open at the same time. Instead of dragging and resizing everything yourself, you can let the iPad do the arranging for you. The result is a clean and organized workspace.

Access the Menu Bar

Another new addition in windowed mode is the menu bar. Just like on a Mac, this bar runs across the top of the screen and gives you quick access to app options and commands. It provides an easy way to find tools that might otherwise be hidden in menus. Having the menu bar makes the iPad feel even more like a traditional computer while keeping the touchscreen controls you’re used to.

Keyboard Shortcuts

For those who use an external keyboard, keyboard shortcuts make working with windowed apps much faster. You can press certain key combinations to open, close, or switch between windows. This is a great time-saver, especially if you use your iPad for productivity tasks. Learning just a few of these shortcuts can make a big difference in how quickly you move between apps and spaces.

Gestures and Dock Options

Windowed apps also come with new gesture and dock settings. You can adjust whether windows close automatically when swiping home, and set the dock to show or hide itself as needed. You can also use gestures to reveal the menu bar with a simple swipe. These settings let you customize how your iPad behaves, making it more personal to your style of working.

Productivity Gestures

Beyond window management, iPadOS 26 also has productivity gestures to make everyday actions quicker. For example, you can shake the iPad to undo something or swipe from a corner to trigger different functions. These gestures save time and make the iPad feel more intuitive. They’re small touches, but they add up to a smoother and more efficient experience.

Wrap Up

The new windowed apps feature in iPadOS 26 completely changes how you can use your iPad. By letting you resize, move, and organize apps into spaces, it makes multitasking more powerful and flexible than ever before. Combined with the menu bar, gestures, and keyboard shortcuts, the iPad now offers a workflow that’s closer to a laptop while still keeping the ease of a tablet. Whether you’re working, studying, or just organizing your apps, windowed mode helps you stay productive and in control.