Apple introduced iPadOS 26 in the course of the keynote handle of its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 on Monday. Called because the “biggest iPadOS release ever”, the brand new iPad working system replace introduces a visible revamp in keeping with the brand new Liquid Glass design language. The Cupertino-based tech big has focussed on growing productiveness on the iPad with iPadOS 26, courtesy of options like a brand new windowing system, audio enter choice, window tiling, new menu bar, enhancements to Files app, and a brand new Preview app.
iPadOS 26 Compatible Models
As per Apple, iPadOS 26 will likely be accessible as a free software program replace for the next fashions:
- iPad Pro (M4)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (third technology and later)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st technology and later)
- iPad Air (M2 and later)
- iPad Air (third technology and later)
- iPad (A16)
- iPad (eighth technology and later)
- iPad mini (A17 Pro)
- iPad mini (fifth technology and later)
Registered Apple Developers can obtain the developer beta replace beginning in the present day, with public beta availability beginning subsequent month.
Announcing the replace, Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering at Apple mentioned, “iPadOS 26 is our biggest iPadOS release ever, with powerful features that take the experience to the next level and transform what users can do on iPad”.
Similar to the visible modifications in iOS 26, iPadOS 26 brings a brand new person interface design crafted with Liquid Glass. There are new methods to personalise the house and lock screens, with up to date app icons, new gentle and darkish tints, and a brand new clear look. Updated controls and navigation lengthen have additionally been launched for Mail, Safari, Apple TV, Apple Music, and extra apps.
New Productivity Features in iPadOS 26
As per the corporate, iPadOS 26 presents a brand new windowing system that lets customers resize app home windows, place them wherever on the display, and open extra home windows concurrently. Following the replace, they will management, organise, and change between app home windows extra effectively than earlier than utilizing shut, minimise, resize, tile, and different acquainted controls.
Photo Credit: Apple
Window tiling takes benefit of iPad’s capabilities by permitting an app to be reopened within the precise dimension and spot because the earlier occasion. Meanwhile, the brand new Expose characteristic opens and spreads the entire home windows directly for simple switching.
Apple says this new windowing system works with Stage Manager, and even with an exterior show. Notably, the iPadOS 26 replace carries the identical Apple Intelligence options which the Cupertino-based tech big introduced for the iPhone. You can learn all about them right here.
Another characteristic in iPadOS 26 is a brand new menu bar that gives entry to an app’s instructions by way of a easy swipe down gesture. Alternatively, customers may also transfer their cursor on the prime for a similar. It lets them discover a particular characteristic by way of the brand new search possibility, whereas builders may also customise their menu bar to go well with their apps and wishes.
Photo Credit: Apple
The Files app has been overhauled and now comes with an up to date List view, enabling customers to see extra particulars within the type of resizable columns and collapsible folders. It additionally has folder customisation choices together with customized colors, icons, and emojis, that are synced throughout Apple units. With iPadOS 26, you’ll be able to drag any folder from the Files app to the Dock.
In addition to bettering present options, Apple has launched a brand new Preview app for the iPad. It serves as a devoted platform for drawing fast sketches, in addition to viewing, enhancing, and marking up PDFs and pictures with contact or Apple Pencil. It additionally lets them shortly fill out kinds utilizing Auto Fill.
Photo Credit: Apple
Lastly, customers can now run computationally-intensive Background Tasks with iPadOS 26. It will present up with Live Activities when a long-running course of is began in an app, offering a transparent view of what is working. Further, builders can leverage the up to date Background Tasks API to combine this functionality of their apps too.
