In an excluive interview with ArsTechnica, Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, has explained why iPad needed hardware, software and touch redesigns for Mac‑style multitasking in iPadOS 26.
At WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled iPadOS 26—a milestone update that finally gives iPad users full Mac‑style multitasking with resizable windows, floating menus, and a desktop-like menu bar.
To support Mac-like multitasking, Apple had to overhaul both software and hardware. As Federighi told Ars, earlier iPads simply couldn’t meet Apple’s standard for instant responsiveness. “You have to start… if you touch the screen and start to move something that it responds,” he explained.
The journey began with bringing Mac-class chips into the iPad line. Since the M1 processor debuted in 2021, Apple had the raw performance—powerful CPU, GPU, and fast unified memory—necessary for running multiple windows smoothly. But raw power wasn’t enough. Federighi emphasized that delivering a consistent windowing experience required re-engineering how the system handles memory, background processes, and display output—both internally and on external screens.
Stage Manager, introduced in iPadOS 16, marked Apple’s first serious attempt at multitasking. It brought overlapping windows and external display support, but hardware limitations meant it had to be restricted only to M1-equipped iPads.
Federighi explained that the combination of high DRAM, fast NAND storage, and external display I/O was essential for delivering a seamless experience—and earlier iPads lacked those capabilities.
With iPadOS 26, Apple didn’t just iterate on Stage Manager—they re-architected the entire windowing framework. Open multiple app windows, drag them anywhere, resize them, tile them, minimize and maximize them—all while maintaining real-time touch responsiveness. For users, the iPad feels more like a touchscreen Mac, yet Apple insists it remains a distinct device with its own identity.
Beyond windowing, iPadOS 26 introduces a floating Mac-style menu bar, enhanced Files app with column views and background tasks, a Preview app for PDFs, and tighter Apple Intelligence integration. These changes are part of what Federighi calls “our biggest iPadOS release ever”—transforming iPads into truly versatile productivity machines.
Despite the powerful new capabilities, Apple maintains that iPads and Macs complement each other; users can choose between lightweight portability or full desktop-class workflows—or both.
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