Apple introduced iPadOS 26 in the course of the keynote tackle of its Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) 2025 on Monday. Known as because the “largest iPadOS launch ever”, the brand new iPad working system replace introduces a visible revamp according to 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 Information app, and a brand new Preview app.
iPadOS 26 Suitable Fashions
As per Apple, iPadOS 26 will likely be accessible as a free software program replace for the next fashions:
- iPad Professional (M4)
- iPad Professional 12.9-inch (third technology and later)
- iPad Professional 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 Professional)
- iPad mini (fifth technology and later)
Registered Apple Builders can obtain the developer beta replace beginning immediately, with public beta availability beginning subsequent month.
Asserting the replace, Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President of Software program Engineering at Apple stated, “iPadOS 26 is our largest iPadOS launch ever, with highly effective options that take the expertise to the following stage and remodel what customers can do on iPad”.
Much like the visible adjustments in iOS 26, iPadOS 26 brings a brand new consumer interface design crafted with Liquid Glass. There are new methods to personalise the house and lock screens, with up to date app icons, new mild and darkish tints, and a brand new clear look. Up to date controls and navigation lengthen have additionally been launched for Mail, Safari, Apple TV, Apple Music, and extra apps.
New Productiveness Options in iPadOS 26
As per the corporate, iPadOS 26 affords a brand new windowing system that lets customers resize app home windows, place them anyplace on the display screen, and open extra home windows concurrently. Following the replace, they will management, organise, and swap between app home windows extra effectively than earlier than utilizing shut, minimise, resize, tile, and different acquainted controls.
Photograph Credit score: 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. In the meantime, 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 Supervisor, 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’ll be able to learn all about them right here.
One other 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 transfer their cursor on the prime for a similar. It lets them discover a particular characteristic by way of the brand new search choice, whereas builders may customise their menu bar to swimsuit their apps and desires.
Photograph Credit score: Apple
The Information app has been overhauled and now comes with an up to date Listing 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 gadgets. With iPadOS 26, you’ll be able to drag any folder from the Information app to the Dock.
Along with bettering current 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, modifying, and marking up PDFs and pictures with contact or Apple Pencil. It additionally lets them shortly fill out varieties utilizing Auto Fill.
Photograph Credit score: Apple
Lastly, customers can now run computationally-intensive Background Duties with iPadOS 26. It would present up with Stay Actions when a long-running course of is began in an app, offering a transparent view of what is working. Additional, builders can leverage the up to date Background Duties API to combine this functionality of their apps too.
