Apple's latest iPadOS 26.4 update rolls out a handy window‑tracking feature that should feel like a breath of fresh air for multitasking enthusiasts. After iPadOS 26 introduced full‑screen windowing, users could spawn dozens of windows, but keeping them organized became a headache. The new popup, triggered when launching an app with hidden windows, immediately displays the count of unseen windows today.

The popup appears as a banner that slides out from the app icon, so its position shifts depending on the icon’s location on the home screen. Functionally, it mirrors the older 'Shelf' tool from iPadOS 15, offering a summary of all open windows. However, the banner shows up only after a pause between launches, which might be a glitch today.

For most iPad users who never open multiple windows of the same app, the popup will rarely surface. Power users, however, will find the new feature helpful for navigating dense multitasking sessions. By surfacing hidden windows with a single tap, the update reduces the risk of losing track of active documents and streamlines workflow across apps today, efficiently improving productivity.

Apple’s incremental tweak underscores the company's commitment to refining the iPad as a serious productivity platform. By addressing a common pain point that emerged after the 26‑window overhaul, the company signals that it listens to power‑user feedback. The update arrives just before the upcoming MacBook Pro refresh, hinting at a broader push to unify multitasking across its ecosystem strategically ahead.