How to Run iPad Apps Full Screen Again in iPadOS 26
If your iPad is running iPadOS 26, you might have already experimented with Windowed App mode which allows apps to be in self-contained windows, allowing for windowed multitasking more like a desktop operating system interface. That’s obviously quite a different experience than the traditional iPad interface, which was more single task oriented with a focused app view of one single app running in full screen.
If you’d like to switch from Windowed app mode or Stage Manager back to Full Screen app mode, read along and your iPad will be running full screen apps again by default in no time.
How to Change iPad to Full Screen App Mode
- Open the Settings app on iPad
- Now go to “Multitasking & Gestures”
- Choose “Full Screen Apps” to select it as the default multitasking mode on iPad
Now your iPad will default to opening apps into full screen mode again, even in iPadOS 26 if you had previously enabled windowed apps multitasking.
Many iPad users like full screen apps for focus, especially if the iPad is on its own and without a keyboard and mouse. In full screen app mode, you can then use things like swiping gestures, Split View, or Slide Over if you want to use multitasking. Every iPad user is different though, and there are options for all types, so use what works best for you. I personally like to use full screen apps when my iPad is being held in my hands, but I prefer to use windowed app mode when the iPad is connected to the Magic Keyboard with trackpad.
Do you have a preference for one type of multitasking mode over the other on your iPad? What do you think of full screen apps versus windowed apps on the iPad? Let us know any of your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
I tried the Windowed app mode on a iPad A16 model and the small screen just doesn’t work trying to multi-task. You make the windows so small some things don’t shrink down correctly. I just went back to full screen mode. I do find myself reverting back to my MacBook Air much more and using the iPad less. At one point I thought maybe a iPad would replace my Mac. But that has not come to fruition. In fact it has convinced me that the iPad form factor can never really replace a notebook. It’s a nice short burst consumption device but that’s about it.