With the latest iPadOS 26 changes, the traditional multitasking experience using Slide Over and Split View has been removed in favor of Stage Manager. While Stage Manager is a great option for some, the old multitasking UI was more intuitive, stable, and ideal for quick productivity. Please consider restoring the classic multitasking gestures as an optional feature or toggle alongside Stage Manager. Many users like myself rely on the traditional layout for studying, work, and multitasking efficiency.
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Please bring back Slide Over & Split View multitasking to standard iPad view
You should raise this as a suggestion here: https://feedbackassistant.apple.com/
If multiple people raise similar feedback, Apple will listen and might reintroduce it.
However, the changes made in iPadOS 26 are quite extensive, and it may not be possible to bring them back. You might want to make some suggestions as to how to activate the features etc.