Stage Manager, one of the most fundamental changes to the iPad platform since the introduction of Apple’s tablets more than a decade ago, will now be available for more iPad Pros than just those running Apple’s latest custom M1 chip.
Apple announced the expanded access to Stage Manager in a brief statement obtained from an Apple representative on Tuesday. The company also notes that external display support via the M1 iPad “will be available later this year.”
It’s been nearly five months since Apple introduced Stage Manager as part of iPadOS 16 at WWDC 2022. Unlike other platforms released today, including iOS 16 and watchOS 9, iPadOS 16 is still in beta and will likely wait for the arrival of the new iPads, which may or may not be released, next month.
Stage Manager adds the ability to manage multiple application windows (opening in new tabs) – up to eight – in a range of adjustable (if not fully customizable) configurations. It takes the multi-window capabilities of the iPad’s early days to the next level, bringing it closer to macOS Ventura. It’s a powerful update, if not perfect, but good enough that some people were frustrated that Stage Manager was limited to iPads running Apple’s Silicon M1 chip.
The latest iPadOS 16.1 beta (beta 3) changes that. When we asked Apple about the update, they sent us the following statement:
“We’re introducing Stage Manager as a new way to multitask, with overlapping, resizable windows on the iPad display and a separate external display, with the ability to run up to 8 real-time applications on the screen at the same time. Offering this multitasking Display support is only possible with the full capabilities of the M1-based iPad. Customers using 3rd and 4th generation iPad Pros expressed strong interest in being able to experience Stage Manager on their iPads. In response, our team worked hard Looking for a way to provide single-screen versions of these systems, supporting up to four real-time applications simultaneously on the iPad screen.”
Previously, Stage Manager only worked on iPad Air (2022), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021), and iPad Pro 11-inch (2021). Now, it should work on the 2020 iPad Pro running the M1 chip and, more interestingly, the 2018 iPad Pro running the A12Z Bionic CPU.
As mentioned earlier, there will be limitations. Stage Manager on these tablets will be limited to four apps instead of eight (just one more app than you would run on an iPad without Stage Manager).
If you own one of these older iPad Pros and are running the latest iPadOS 16 beta, you can see Stage Manager in action. Remember, you need to enroll in Apple Developer access to download builds to your device. Also, beta versions can be unstable, and you don’t want to install iPadOS 16.1 Beta 3 on any system you rely on to do your actual work.
Apple’s comments on external display support suggest that the ability to connect another display to the M1 iPad and run Stage Manager through it as a full-screen, full-resolution experience may be delayed until later this year. This does not apply to non-M1 iPad Pros as they do not support the external monitor feature.
As for when iPadOS 16 will come out of the background as a full-fledged public operating system like its platform siblings, that’s anyone’s guess. Stay tuned to Red Tom for the latest updates.
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Hazel Yu