iPadOS 26 introduced a completely new window system for applications, and iPadOS 26.4 adds a significant improvement that multi-window users will appreciate.

iPadOS 26.4 Reports Hidden Windows of the Application and Offers an Option to Show All

For years, iPad power users have been demanding a less restrictive multitasking system, and Apple has finally delivered this with iPadOS 26.

You can now open as many application windows as you want and freely resize them. However, this change has also made it easier to keep track of open windows, which is understandable.

With iPadOS 26.4, Apple is introducing a new feature to facilitate this situation.

When you launch an iPad application with multiple open windows, some of which are hidden, you will now see a new pop-up window on the screen in iPadOS 26.4.

According to the screenshot above, the pop-up will display the text 'X Hidden Window' and allow you to tap and click to view all open windows.

The pop-up emerges from the icon of the application you launched, so it will appear in different locations depending on where the application icon is located.

Functionally, it serves a similar purpose to the old 'Shelf' feature introduced in iPadOS 15.

While using the iPadOS 26.4 beta version, I noticed that the pop-up does not always appear; it typically shows up after some time has passed since I last launched the application.

It is unclear whether this is intentional or a bug. However, if it is intentional, I believe Apple has taken a correct step in this regard. If the pop-up appeared every time an application was launched, it could quickly become annoying, especially when constantly switching between applications.

My guess is that a larger iPad user base does not have many people opening multiple windows for the same application. However, for those power users who do, iPadOS 26.4 will make it easier to keep track of all your open windows.

What do you think about the new multi-window pop-up in iPadOS 26.4? Share with us in the comments.

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