Is iOS 11 split screen app switcher WORSE?

[Superhappytree]

I was looking forward to updating given all the hype, but I find it so unintuitive compared to iOS 10 to the point where I find myself getting frustrated with it. It feels like it requires more muscle memory. You can’t easily swipe from the right with slide over anymore unless you lift up the dock, drag, and then drop (3 steps as compared to one simple gesture). It’s more complicated to just access the control centre, you are forced into the multitask view when you just want to quickly toggle off a setting, then go back into the app you were on. I also preferred the app picker instead of dragging and dropping, I now have to remember I need to drag and drop just to access split screen. I like the new dock though, but just not a fan of how complicated they’ve made everything else. Just doesn’t seem like Apple to me. It is supposed to be easy to use, not unnecessarily complicated.

 

[dingclancy23]

I was looking forward to updating given all the hype, but I find it so unintuitive compared to iOS 10 to the point where I find myself getting frustrated with it. It feels like it requires more muscle memory. You can’t easily swipe from the right with slide over anymore unless you lift up the dock, drag, and then drop (3 steps as compared to one simple gesture). It’s more complicated to just access the control centre, you are forced into the multitask view when you just want to quickly toggle off a setting, then go back into the app you were on. I also preferred the app picker instead of dragging and dropping, I now have to remember I need to drag and drop just to access split screen. I like the new dock though, but just not a fan of how complicated they’ve made everything else. Just doesn’t seem like Apple to me. It is supposed to be easy to use, not unnecessarily complicated.

How are you getting slideover in iOS 10 as one simple gesture? In iOS 10 if you need to slideover a specific app you have to swipe from right, then swipe down, do some scrolling to find the app, then tap. That is 4 steps.

 

[dohspc]

I’m using it on a second gen iPad 12.9. Apple definitely needs to find a way to open any split screen enabled app. Dragging apps already in the dock works except for those nested in folders but getting an app open that’s not in the dock is not easy or intuitive currently.

 

[mattoligy]

The ability to drag and drop a running app tile in the App Switcher on to another to merge the two running apps in to split view would be nice.

 

[Feenician]

The ability to drag and drop a running app tile in the App Switcher on to another to merge the two running apps in to split view would be nice.

I agree. First thing I tried. Seems like an oversight not to have it.

 

[dingclancy23]

Also if you get used to it, you will notice that if you want to slide over, it is more like a “flick” rather than a drag and drop.

It feels just one quick gesture to me.

 

[bmac89]

I’m using it on a second gen iPad 12.9. Apple definitely needs to find a way to open any split screen enabled app. Dragging apps already in the dock works except for those nested in folders but getting an app open that’s not in the dock is not easy or intuitive currently.

My understanding was that you could still drag and drop apps that are nested in folders on the dock to initiate split view (but obviously an extra step). Or am I missing something?

 

[itsmilo]

I think it is a great addition but the execution? Not intuitive at all and therefore i dont see anyone i know using or even be aware of this functionality.

I mean most people do not even know 3D Touch to move your cursor on the keyboard exists lol

Also closing apps is a pain in the ass now. Its a hit and miss with the tiny "x" and it just takes longer in general

 

[chfilm]

The price we pay for more complexity that everyone was asking for I guess... the old system was a mess too, because sometimes you had to scroll FOREVER to find the app that you wanted to open in splitscreen.

 

[docal97]

iOS 10 listed all apps available for split view in one place. They needed to continue to evolve this method- search-ability, possibly the ability to remove apps you would not use in split view and the ability to place those apps in your order of preference.

But now, if you use alot of different apps, you need to find that app and drag it over each time into split view. That could take multiple steps.

I've only tried it for a little while, and it is nice to be able to 'flick' an app over into splitview, but I think iOS 10 had a better interface, and just needed Customization ability.

Hopefully we are not seeing the final version of this feature.

 

[Gorms]

2 big issues

1) app switcher becomes a big mess with all the apps you have opened and then having to tough it to then get the “x” toggle and then hope your accurate enough in hitting it to close it.....am I missing something ? There must be a faster way to clear the switcher section?

2) accessing control panel fast is now painful...

Accessing control centre is much faster on beta 2 (unless your in an app that requires the pull up tab) on my Air2. Agreed though, it was a total drag on beta1. On the 10.5 it’s ridiculously smooth to get control centre in beta 2

The app switcher close button is a pain though, I desperately do keep trying to swipe them off screen.

My gripe with multitasking is not being able to drag a recent window onto another recent to open in split view, or multitouch to windows to open in split which to me seems like an obvious bit of UX. Cannot fault the dock though. Love that.

Edit: ultimately, multitasking is way, way, better in 11 than before.

 

[Monsoon1906]

How are you getting slideover in iOS 10 as one simple gesture? In iOS 10 if you need to slideover a specific app you have to swipe from right, then swipe down, do some scrolling to find the app, then tap. That is 4 steps.

I was looking forward to updating given all the hype, but I find it so unintuitive compared to iOS 10 to the point where I find myself getting frustrated with it. It feels like it requires more muscle memory. You can’t easily swipe from the right with slide over anymore unless you lift up the dock, drag, and then drop (3 steps as compared to one simple gesture). It’s more complicated to just access the control centre, you are forced into the multitask view when you just want to quickly toggle off a setting, then go back into the app you were on. I also preferred the app picker instead of dragging and dropping, I now have to remember I need to drag and drop just to access split screen. I like the new dock though, but just not a fan of how complicated they’ve made everything else. Just doesn’t seem like Apple to me. It is supposed to be easy to use, not unnecessarily complicated.

I find the new way much easier to use. Before when using apps like Bookshelf or Safari if i didn’t perfectly make the right to left gesture to open the split viewer i’d end switching pages in bookshelf or going back a page in safari. I was also not a fan of having to scroll up and down to find the 2nd app that I’m looking to set the split screen with. Took me a few seconds to figure it out but i find the new system much more fool proof and less time consuming.

 

[dhy8386]

To me spotlight search to add an app into split screen is much faster and better than how it was previously. Except you don't know if the app supports it but I can live with that

 

[bmac89]

To me spotlight search to add an app into split screen is much faster and better than how it was previously. Except you don't know if the app supports it but I can live with that

But they removed spotlight search from the notifications centre. You can only access by swiping to the today/widgets section or using the keyboard shortcut assuming you have a keyboard.

 

[pacorob]

Except you don't know if the app supports it but I can live with that

The Spotlight search is handy. However it's a must then to see if an app does support Slide Over/Split View or not. It's now hit and miss.

 

[Tycho24]

Also if you get used to it, you will notice that if you want to slide over, it is more like a “flick” rather than a drag and drop.

It feels just one quick gesture to me.

I’ve been using the “4 fingers up” swipe EXTENSIVELY! It:
1) gets you to dock access
2) gets you to control center access
3) gets you to multitasking access
Lol; that way you don’t have to control your upswipes- like barely nudging up to look just at dock, or continuing on up to access control center/multitasking... it's easier for me, every time- to just “push” the app up w/ 4 fingers, into its multitasking spot. It feels great too! Like you are REALLY physically interacting with the app.

 

[kmichalec]

Maybe i'm not understanding the complaint, but I don't need to open app switcher to multitask two apps, and can even multitask apps in a nested folders. Just longpress an app from the home screen and it will "lift up" (but before it starts wiggling for delete/move), drag it over and hold it over another app that’s multitasking enabled on the Home screen, and the underneath app will flash and then open, and then you can drag the first app to the side you want. Both apps open side by side. Same with nested folder apps. See the attached screen recording I did. I never have to open the multitasking pane.

https://twitter.com/kmichalec/status/880764960862867457

 

[dingclancy23]

I’ve been using the “4 fingers up” swipe EXTENSIVELY! It:
1) gets you to dock access
2) gets you to control center access
3) gets you to multitasking access
Lol; that way you don’t have to control your upswipes- like barely nudging up to look just at dock, or continuing on up to access control center/multitasking... it's easier for me, every time- to just “push” the app up w/ 4 fingers, into its multitasking spot. It feels great too! Like you are REALLY physically interacting with the app.

That is great! I will try the 4 finger gesture extensively.

My use of the dock is that it allows you to drag any app in the dock to a specific area that you like whether as a pop up, as a 1/4, or a 3/4. It gives a sense that you are flinging apps quickly and placing it on your slate.

The 4-finger multitasking gesture though is great if you have a specific app pairs that you want to have locked side by side.

 

[Tycho24]

That is great! I will try the 4 finger gesture extensively.

My use of the dock is that it allows you to drag any app in the dock to a specific area that you like whether as a pop up, as a 1/4, or a 3/4. It gives a sense that you are flinging apps quickly and placing it on your slate.

The 4-finger multitasking gesture though is great if you have a specific app pairs that you want to have locked side by side.

I do some App pairing like that now too!
Like w/ this new multitasking, I now ALWAYS have a split screen of Messageses and Mail in one window that I can look at any time in the new “desktop” looking App changer, just by four finger swiping up!
And it’s changed how I use iCloud. =)
I went ahead and started paying the 99¢ a month for 50gb, because of the new Files App.
My main folder is on my mac Mini, (and the cloud, obviously)... but images, for example; you don’t have to have downloaded images mix in w/ your camera roll (which has been a silly weakness on iOS); I open Files in a 1/4 window & Safari in 3/4, and just drag images to the correct folders. Now they live on my Mini and in the cloud, but are also accessible from iPhone & iPad without using local storage on those machines. It’s bloody brilliant!

 

[dingclancy23]

I do some App pairing like that now too!
Like w/ this new multitasking, I now ALWAYS have a split screen of Messageses and Mail in one window that I can look at any time in the new “desktop” looking App changer, just by four finger swiping up!
And it’s changed how I use iCloud. =)
I went ahead and started paying the 99¢ a month for 50gb, because of the new Files App.
My main folder is on my mac Mini, (and the cloud, obviously)... but images, for example; you don’t have to have downloaded images mix in w/ your camera roll (which has been a silly weakness on iOS); I open Files in a 1/4 window & Safari in 3/4, and just drag images to the correct folders. Now they live on my Mini and in the cloud, but are also accessible from iPhone & iPad without using local storage on those machines. It’s bloody brilliant!

Yes downloading images and files from the browser will be as fast as the Mac now,a dan even better with iCloud.

There are many things that iOS 11 unlocked like download management where it was a thorn in iOS 10 before.