Apple will unveil iOS 19 next month, bringing a big redesign, Siri with AI, an AirPods upgrade, and more. Rumors point to another key feature coming to iOS and iPadOS 19 that will be a perfect fit for next year’s new foldable iPhone and iPad: multitasking via ‘Stage Manager 2.0.’
Stage Manager 2.0 to offer fresh multitasking take in iOS and iPadOS 19
When WWDC arrives next month, all eyes will undoubtedly be on the rumored iOS 19 redesign that’s coming.
But there’s another feature reportedly in the works that could make a big impact, not only this year but also with 2026’s foldable iPhone and iPad products.
Last week, Majin Bu shared that ‘Stage Manager 2.0’ is in the cards for iPadOS 19, and that iOS 19 will similarly bring Stage Manager-like powers to the iPhone when connected to an external display.
Previously Mark Gurman reported that iPadOS 19 will focus on “productivity, multitasking and app window management”—thus supporting the idea of a revamped Stage Manager.
If these rumors prove true, it sounds like iOS and iPadOS 19 will include a major upgrade to multitasking.
And this ‘Stage Manager 2.0’ could prove a key feature for next year’s foldables.
Apple’s new 2026 foldables bring multitasking needs
Next fall, Apple could launch not one, but two brand new foldable products.
iPhone Fold will get the most attention, no doubt. But there’s also an iPad Fold that may launch around the same time.
Apple’s foldable iPhone will have a 7.8-inch inner display—nearly as large as the iPad mini. The foldable iPad will boast a massive 18.8-inch display.
Both devices, in other words, would be perfect for a new, improved multitasking system.
Currently, true multitasking on the iPhone doesn’t even exist, so anything new in iOS 19 will be an upgrade.
And while iPadOS does offer multitasking features, general consensus is that Apple hasn’t quite nailed it yet.
Stage Manager 2.0, whatever that ends up looking like, sounds like the answer that current iPad users want, and that next year’s foldable devices will truly need.
Will it be nice to have some new multitasking capabilities this year? Sure.
But when the iPhone and iPad’s foldable era kicks off, those features will prove essential.
Here’s hoping Apple’s iOS and iPadOS 19 upgrades are more successful than past multitasking attempts. In 2026, the company’s biggest product launches could depend on it.
What changes do you hope ‘Stage Manager 2.0’ will bring? Let us know in the comments.
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