iPadOS 27 introduced a significant regression for educators and presenters who rely on their iPads to display content to external screens via AirPlay while managing other tasks simultaneously, according to Teddy Svoronos, an educator who documented the issue.
The problem affects a common workflow in teaching and presentations: displaying a handout or presentation to students or conference attendees via AirPlay while simultaneously using other apps on the iPad to control presentations on a Mac, view speaker notes, or monitor poll results that should remain hidden from the audience.
In iPadOS 26, users could manage which app controlled the external display by swiping to the home screen and tapping on the desired app in the dock. While this method was unintuitive, it allowed presenters to keep their presentation visible on the external display while working in other apps.
Under iPadOS 27, if multiple windows are open while AirPlaying—regardless of whether Stage Manager is enabled—tapping any app other than the one in presenter mode automatically displays the entire iPad screen to the external display. This exposes information meant to be private, such as notes about which students to call on or poll results, to the audience. The behavior also creates visual distractions as windows pop up and disappear.
The specific outcome varies by application. In GoodNotes, presenter view resumes once the user taps back on the app. Keynote exits the presentation entirely. PowerPoint enters a non-functional state requiring the presentation to be restarted.
Svoronos speculates that Apple implemented this change to simplify the confusing interface for controlling which app appears on the external display, but argues the solution creates a worse user experience. He proposes that apps actively in presenter mode should maintain priority on the external display until the presentation ends, the document closes, or the app is quit.
The issue persists as of the latest beta versions. Svoronos discussed the problem on the Mac Power Users podcast in early September and has filed feedback with Apple (code FB23615646), encouraging others to do the same. He does not recommend the operating system for iPad users who teach or present.
Key facts
- iPadOS 27 automatically displays the full iPad screen on external displays when users tap apps other than the one in presenter mode
- The change exposes hidden notes, polls, and other information meant for the presenter only to the audience
- Different presentation apps respond differently: GoodNotes resumes presenter view, Keynote exits entirely, and PowerPoint requires restarting
- The issue persists in the latest beta versions as of early September
- iPadOS 26 had a less intuitive but functional method using the home screen and dock to control which app appeared on external displays