The best iPadOS 16 feature is coming to non-M1 iPads
Stage Manager will work - in a way - on some older iPad Pro models
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Stage Manager, one of the most fundamental changes to the iPad platform sinceApple’s tablet launched more than a decade ago, is now set to come to moreiPad Prosthan just those running Apple’s latest customM1silicon.
Apple announced the expanded access for Stage Manager in a brief statement, which TechRadar obtained from an Apple representative, on Tuesday. The company also noted that external display support through M1 iPads “will be available later this year.”
It’s been almost five months since Apple unveiled Stage Manager atWWDC 2022as part ofiPadOS 16. Unlike the other platforms unveiled that day, includingiOS 16andwatchOS 9, iPadOS 16 remains in beta, possiblywaiting for new iPadsthat may or may not arrive next month.
Stage Manager adds theability to manage multiple app windows- up to eight - in a series of adjustable, if not wholly customizable - configurations. It takes the iPad’s earlier multi-window capabilities to the next level and makes it a closer cousin tomacOS Ventura. It’s a powerful, if imperfect, update, but good enough that some were frustrated that Stage Manager was limited to iPads running Apple Silicon M1 chips.
That changes with the latest iPadOS 16.1 beta (beta 3). When we asked Apple about the update, they sent us this statement:
“We introduced Stage Manager as a whole new way to multitask with overlapping, resizable windows on both the iPad display and a separate external display, with the ability to run up to eight live apps on screen at once. Delivering this multi-display support is only possible with the full power of M1-based iPads. Customers with iPad Pro 3rd and 4th generation have expressed strong interest in being able to experience Stage Manager on their iPads. In response, our teams have worked hard to find a way to deliver a single-screen version for these systems, with support for up to four live apps on the iPad screen at once.”
Prior to this, Stage Manager only worked oniPad Air (2022),iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021), andiPad Pro 11-inch (2021). Now, it should work on2020 iPad Pros, which are running an M1 chip, and more interestingly, 2018iPad Prosrunning an A12Z Bionic CPU.
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As noted, there will be limitations. Instead of eight apps, Stage Manager on these tablets will be limited to four apps (just one more than you can run on an iPad without Stage Manager).
If you have one of these older iPad Pros and are running the latest iPadOS 16 beta, you can see Stage Manager in action. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to sign up for Apple Developer access to download the build to your device. Plus, betas can be unstable and you wouldn’t want to put iPadOS 16.1 Beta 3 on any system you rely on to get real work done.
Apple’s comment about external display support implies that there may be a delay until later this year for the ability to connect another display to your M1 iPad and run the Stage Manager through it as a full-screen, full-resolution experience. This doesn’t apply to non-M1 iPad Pros because they do not support the external display feature.
As for when iPadOS 16 steps out from backstage to become a full-blown, public OS like its platform brothers and sisters, that’s anyone’s guess. Keep watching TechRadar for the latest updates.
In the meantime,if you’re looking for the best Apple iPad to run iOS 16, start here.
A 38-year industry veteran andaward-winning journalist, Lance has covered technology since PCs were the size of suitcases and “on line” meant “waiting.” He’s a former Lifewire Editor-in-Chief, Mashable Editor-in-Chief, and, before that, Editor in Chief of PCMag.com and Senior Vice President of Content for Ziff Davis, Inc. He also wrote a popular, weekly tech column for Medium called The Upgrade.
Lance Ulanoffmakes frequent appearances on national, international, and local news programs including Live with Kelly and Mark, theToday Show, Good Morning America, CNBC, CNN, and the BBC.
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