Learn how to use the new Mac-like menu bar in iPadOS 26 to access important app commands and controls in one handy place on your iPad.
iPadOS 26 (currently in beta) brings a Mac-like menu. With it, you can quickly access important commands without digging into the app or opening the sidebar.
In Safari, for instance, you can quickly reopen a recent website in the History menu. Contrast this with selecting “History” in the sidebar, then picking an item and closing the sidebar to return to fullscreen browsing. Or, you can access an app’s settings via the menu bar instead of going to Settings > Apps > app name. Like with the Mac, the menu bar also lists a keyboard shortcut next to each option that has one.
Access the menu bar in iPad apps
1) Go to Settings > Multitasking & Gestures and select Windowed Apps or Stage Manager. The menu bar is invisible in “Full Screen Apps” mode.
2) Open an iPad app and swipe down from the top edge of the display to reveal the menu bar. If using a mouse or trackpad, move the pointer to the top of the screen. However, the menu bar wouldn’t show up when I tried revealing it using my second-generation Apple Pencil on my iPad Pro.
Similar to macOS, with multiple apps and windows open, you’ll want to first tap an app’s window to make it active before revealing the menu bar.
The menu bar works in all iPad apps
The menu is available in all built-in apps and third-party ones, including those that haven’t been updated in months and iPhone-only apps running in compatibility mode, like Instagram. At a minimum, all apps show the App Name, File, Edit, Format, View, Window, and Help menus.
To quickly open in-app settings, just click the menu with the app name. Like in macOS, the Window menu includes options to control how the app appears on the screen. The File menu allows you to close the app window.
The menu bar hides automatically
iPadOS 26 hides the menu bar automatically when you start interacting with other app features. If you use your iPad with a mouse or trackpad, the menu bar hides automatically when you move the pointer away from the top of the screen.
To make it stay on the screen, swipe down with your finger to reveal the menu bar and then scroll with the mouse or trackpad. The menu bar will stay on the screen until you choose an option.
iPadOS 26 brings other Mac-like features
iPadOS 26 packs other improvements that inch the iPad closer to the Mac. For starters, there’s a new windowing system with the Exposé feature to see all your windows spread out. iPadOS 6 also enables file folders in the Dock, as well as brings a dedicated Phone app to manage iPhone calls and an improved Files app with column management to mimic the Finder.
What are your thoughts on iPadOS 26? How has your experience been so far?