Many different types of files can be opened in my app. If a user, for example, views a file in the Files app and chooses to share the file, they can select my app from the list of options. My app is then given a chance to handle the file as needed.
This works just fine in most cases. However, on iPadOS 26, if the user has set the iPad's Multitasking to either Windowed Apps or Stage Manager, then any time they choose to share a file with my app, a new scene (and window) is created. The user is usually not even aware that more and more windows/scenes are being created. It's only after they long-press on the app icon and select Show All Windows (or look under the Open Windows section) do they see far more windows than expected.
Under iPadOS 17, 18, or with 26 set to Full Screen Apps, sharing a file to my app simply uses an existing scene, even if the user has explicitly created multiple scenes. A new scene is never created when sharing a file to my app unless there is no existing scene.
Due to the nature of my app, even if the user has setup the iPad with Windowed App or Stage Manager under iPadOS 26, it would be far better if a new scene was not created and an existing scene was used. In other words, have it behave just as it does under iPadOS 17 or 18, or with 26 set as Full Screen Apps.
Is there any way to configure an app to always use an existing scene when a file is shared with the app?
My app is written with UIKit. Under iPadOS 26 with multitasking set to Windowed Apps or Stage Manager, sharing a file with my app results in the UIApplicationDelegate method application(_:configurationForConnecting:options:) being called. At this point a new scene is already in the process of being created.
I don't see anything that can be set in the Info.plist. I do not see any relevant UIApplicationDelegate methods.
Am I missing something or is this not possible?