iPadOS 16 adds Stage Manager for older iPad Pro tablets

TL;DR

• Apple is adding Stage Manager for older iPad Pro tablets.
• The version will have limited live apps and missing external display support.
• The feature will be available to 2018 and 2022 iPad Pro.

Apple’s latest iPadOS 16 developer beta finally adds Stage Manager to the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro models. Specifically, the 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro with A12X and A12Z chipsets are eligible, and with the other models left in limbo. Apple says that not all features will be available with Stage Manager version for older iPads. Only four live apps are supported compared to eight on the M1-powered iPad Pros.

Apple is also removing the ability to extend the display to an external monitor from older iPads. Instead, Stage Manager will only work with the built-in display, which is understandable given the dated processors in these tablets. But users can still take advantage of the display mirroring and casting.

Not smooth sailing for Apple’s Stage Manager

Apple is also disabling external display for Stage Manager on newer iPad Pros in this beta release. But according to Apple, the feature will return later this year. They haven’t stated the reason for this move. It is safe to say that the company’s software team is ironing out all corners of Stage Manager after several reports suggesting they are facing issues implementing the system.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPad 2022 and M2-powered iPad Pro next month. After several delays, the public release of iPadOS 16 will also arrive alongside this new iPad hardware.

Which of the 2022 iPad are you looking forward to seeing most? Let us hear your thoughts in the comment section.