As expected, Apple announced the latest version of iPadOS at its WWDC keynote on Monday, bringing with it a series of exciting new features for the popular tablet. Like iOS for iPhones, iPadOS will get a bump to version No. 26 as Apple brings more consistency to its OS lineup, including WatchOS, TVOS and VisionOS. It’s a cosmetic change like the one we saw from Samsung in 2020 to align its smartphones to the years they were released.
Last year, we saw dramatic changes in iPadOS 18, and it makes this year’s software update slightly less visually interesting in comparison, but there’s enough new here to get excited about. Last year’s iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 felt like one of the biggest visual overhauls Apple had done for either operating system in some time, introducing new ways for users to customize their home experience, along with the first Apple Intelligence features — many of which will finally make their debut in this latest update.
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Possibly the biggest announcement in iPadOS 26 is the updated windowing system that will turn your multitasking game up to 11. Apple’s blurring the lines between its operating systems with the latest iPad update. Any fear it may have had about the iPad cutting into Mac sales seems to be gone, as iPadOS makes the two feel more similar than ever.
For more, catch up with everything you missed at WWDC 2025. Below, we’ll cover what’s new in the latest version of iPadOS and when you can get your hands on it.
Let’s get right into it. Apple’s approach to the iPad and iPhone operating systems focuses on refining what was introduced in last year’s update while adding new features that make both feel like they’re playing catch-up.
Liquid Glass
Apple announced a new inteface design called Liquid Glass that will span all of its operating systems. As the name suggests, a glass-like look will be found throughout several pieces of the UI, including a new “all clear” mode that looks slick and can be applied to all of your home screen icons. The new design takes cues from VisionOS on the Vision Pro headset, adding a new, futuristic vibe to your iPad.
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A multitasking overhaul
iPadOS 26’s multitasking revamp makes the Magic Keyboard accessory feel necessary.
Apple/Screenshot by CNET
While Apple called iPadOS 26 the biggest update to its tablet operating system ever during its keynote, the new windowing system for multitasking might be the biggest feature on most people’s minds.
iPadOS 26 introduced a new way to resize your apps into floating windows so you can have multiple apps running at the same time and control exactly where you place them. Window tiling will allow users to rearrange windows with minimal effort. In addition, the new windowing system works with Stage Manager and external displays in case you need more space to work with.
Another feature that iPadOS is borrowing from the Mac is Exposé, allowing you to get a quick view of all open windows — demoed using the iPad’s Magic Keyboard accessory. Typically expensive, the keyboard almost seems necessary to fully make use of all of iPadOS’ new features.
The demos during the keynote gave iPadOS a MacOS quality, and if it functions as it should, your productivity on an iPad is about to improve significantly.
The best news is that the new windowing multitasking modes will work on all current iPads, even the basic one. How it works on smaller screens like the Mini, well, we’ll find out.
A new menu bar for apps
The iPad is slowly becoming the touchscreen Mac you’ve always wanted.
Apple/Screenshot by CNET
Apple is pushing iPadOS into MacOS territory with the new way to multitask, and it didn’t stop there. iPadOS will also get a brand-new menu bar that will provide specific app feature settings or tips, and developers will be able to make adjustments to what’s shown in the menu.
To access the menu bar, you can swipe down from the top of the screen, and, if you’re using a mouse, you can bring your cursor to the top.
A new file app that’s also Mac-like
The Mac feelings continue in a redesigned Files app that now adds folders and a layout that even more closely resembles MacOS file browsing. The added list layouts and the flexible way the app can be used to drag files into the dock below give this a truly Mac-like vibe and should hopefully make working with files feel more natural. Folders can spring open to show content inside, too, and you can even choose default apps to open files in.
Better audio selection tools
For anyone who podcasts or streams from an iPad, added audio-selection input controls seem like they’ll also help. The added hook-ins should make accessories connect more easily.
Preview, just like Mac
A Preview app is coming, and it looks just like Preview on the Mac. It supports Pencil annotations, but it should also be a more helpful way to manage files. Currently, looking at images and documents is a more awkward process run through the Files app; splitting out Preview should allow better multitasking.
Apple/Screenshot by CNET
New features powered by Apple Intelligence
While some of the new Apple Intelligence features announced during WWDC weren’t iPad-specific, there were enough to warrant a mention at what’s coming to supported devices. Here are some highlights.
Live Translation comes to the Phone, FaceTime and Messages apps for iPad, allowing for automatic translation to your default language. For FaceTime calls, captions will be displayed in your language, and for messages, automatic translation will still work even if the person you’re texting isn’t using an iPhone. And when you’re on a standard phone call, the translated voice will be spoken aloud.
Updates to Genmoji will now allow you to get more specific with your request, allowing you change expressions, accessories or hair length. And in Image Playground, you can now tap into ChatGPT image styles. The example shown on stage depicted someone turning a contact photo into an oil painting. And Image Playgroud now dives deeper into ChatGPT, allowing it to send a user’s description and image to create some more specific.
Shortcuts is receiving some new intelligent actions that allow summarizing text with Writing Tools and creating images in Image Playground. A helpful example of one of these actions was a student building a shortcut that used Apple Intelligence models to compare an audio transcription of a lecture from class and compare it against the notes they took themselves.
New apps and communication features coming
A lot is being passed down from the iPhone to the iPad this year — even more so than usual. It’s not surprising that the Messages app on the iPad will also get the custom backgrounds that were just announced, but it’s getting a few new apps, too.
With iPadOS 26, iPads will get the Journal app to write down daily thoughts via Apple Pencil or keyboard. And like iOS, iPads will also receive the brand-new Apple Games app that will introduce a Game Overlay, so you can easily see events and updates, tweak settings, or invite friends to play with you. The iPad will also get the Apple’s Phone app, including its new hold and call screening features.
Reed Pen
Perhaps the least interesting, but nevertheless welcome, new feature announced in iPadOS in the addition of a new Reed Pen tool that uses stroke-angle presets do you can practice your calligraphy skills with your Apple Pencil. You’ll be able to use the new pen in Notes, Preview, Free Form, Journal and any third-party app that uses Apple’s PencilKit API.
New accessibility features
Announced last month as part of a bigger accessibility announcement, iPad users with visual impairments can look forward to some new helpful features, like Accessibility Reader and Braille Access.
The Accessibility Reader is a new, systemwide reading mode aimed at making text easier to read for low-vision users and people with dyslexia. You can customize the text to your liking and it can be used in any app, along with real-world text.
Braille Access will allow you to use your iPad to take notes in braille. Using Braille Screen Input or a connected Braille keyboard, you can launch apps, take notes, and even do calculations with Nemeth Braille. You’ll also be able to open Braille Ready Format files to access files created with a braille note taking device.
iPad models compatible with iPadOS 26
If you’re wondering if your iPad will get iPadOS 26, these are the supported models:
iPad Pro (M4)iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd genn and later)iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen and later)iPad Air (M2 and later)iPad Air (3rd gen and later)iPad (A16)iPad (8th gen and later)iPad Mini (A17 Pro)iPad Mini (5th gen and later)
Keep in mind that support for iPadOS 26 does not equal support for Apple Intelligence.
When will you be able to try iPadOS 26?
For most of us, this version of iPadOS won’t arrive until the iPhone 17 hits shelves — something we anticipate happening in September. However, Apple has both a developer beta and, later, a more consumer-friendly beta arriving to those who want to test out the latest features from Apple with more reliability. While the developer beta can already be installed via the settings on your iPad, we’ll keep this article updated for any news on the public beta release date for iPadOS 26.
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