- Apple has revealed iPadOS 26
- The new software program replace brings a brand new look, new apps, and vastly improved multitasking capabilities to iPad
- Apple is looking it the “biggest iPadOS release ever”
Apple has revealed iPadOS 26, some of the expansive iPadOS updates of all time.
New options embody a completely overhauled design, new windowing instruments for multitasking, the addition of the Preview app, Genmoji, and Image Playground, and a revamped Files app.
In an official press release, Apple’s senior vice chairman of software program engineering Craig Federighi 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”
With this yr’s WWDC – which we’re nonetheless overlaying through our WWDC 2025 live blog – Apple has taken a step in the direction of giving the iPad the software program energy it must profit from its improbable {hardware}. We anticipate iPadOS 26 to launch in September 2025 primarily based on the discharge sample of earlier variations.
As an iPad person myself, I’m glad to see Apple pushing the pill’s capabilities. Without additional ado, listed below are the brand new iPadOS options we’re most excited for.
A brand new title
The rumors had been true – Apple has formally revealed that the successor to iPadOS 18 might be referred to as iPadOS 26, as a substitute of iPadOS 19.
If you’re questioning what occurred to the seven model numbers between iPadOS 18 and iPadOS 26, Apple has determined to vary the naming conference of all of its operating systems to replicate their yr, moderately than their model quantity.
However, Apple appears to be going the route of excessive style and automotive naming conventions by naming every model after the next yr – iPadOS 26 remains to be anticipated to completely launch in September 2025.
A brand new look
iPadOS 26 is getting a full-on visible overhaul, which is maybe probably the most instantly thrilling change coming to iPad.
Alongside iOS 26 and macOS 26, iPadOS 26 brings a brand new visionOS-inspired look to the iPad’s UI and software program expertise, constructed with a digital materials referred to as Liquid Glass.
Expect translucent textures, rounded corners, and bubbly icons each on the homescreen and inside first-party apps, in addition to a brand new ‘clear’ theme to take a seat alongside gentle mode, darkish mode, and the colour tint choices.
Windows and multitasking
iPadOS 26 brings higher, extra versatile window administration that improves on the restricted windowed view provide by Stage Manager.
This is a heavy hitter of a brand new characteristic that additionally pushes the iPad additional into Mac territory – correct window administration.
iPadOS 26 provides the flexibility to resize and rearrange windowed apps to any measurement or place on display. When you shut and reopen an app, it seems in the identical place and on the identical measurement you final opened it.
For years, iPad users have been left wanting when it comes to window management – the addition of Stage Manager in 2022 added a sort of multitasking to iPad, nevertheless it’s by no means actually felt as clean as a Mac desktop or one thing like Samsung DeX. That might be about to vary.
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The new windowing system additionally contains the brand new Exposé view, paying homage to macOS’ mission management, and the mouse pointer has been up to date to be, properly, an precise pointier.
The WWDC keynote confirmed that this new window system, with help for as much as six simultaneous home windows, will come to all at the moment out there iPads.
iPadOS 26 additionally provides a menu bar to the brand new windowed mode, accessible by bringing the mouse to the highest of the display.
The new menu bar is reminiscent – however not an identical – to the menu bar on macOS, with particular choices primarily based on the at the moment opened app.
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Preview
Preview – Apple’s devoted PDF app – involves iPad with iPadOS 26, making it a lot simpler to learn, edit, and export PDFs.
The app’s options embody the flexibility to open PDFs from the Files app, create empty pages and use Apple Pencil to attract or write, and use Apple’s AutoFill system to fill in varieties and paperwork.
As an iPad person I’ve usually been annoyed by the pill’s restricted choices for working with PDFs – I’m glad to see Apple implementing Preview.
Apple Games
iPadOS 26 brings a devoted gaming app to the iPad. The new Apple Games app is a non secular successor to the Game Center app that was faraway from iPadOS and iOS in 2016, and brings collectively all your video games in a single place.
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Apple Games additionally replaces Game Center’s more moderen operate because the gaming-focused side of a person’s Apple ID. The new Game Overlay permits customers to name associates or invite them to video games, take a look at updates, and entry settings.
The new app can also be coming to iPhone through iOS 26.
Apple Intelligence updates
iPadOS brings numerous Apple Intelligence options and enhancements to Apple’s pill platform.
Genmoji and Image Playground make their approach to iPad for the primary time, providing customers the flexibility to create custom-made emoji and pictures.
Siri has additionally acquired an improve, remaining conscious of the context of prior requests and benefiting from a big database of Apple product information.
Furthermore, Live Translation involves FaceTime and Messages on iPad and iPhone, making communication throughout language obstacles simpler.
Background duties
iPads are probably the most highly effective tablets you should buy, and with iPadOS 26 customers can now entry that energy with duties within the background.
For instance, you’ll now be capable of export a video with Final Cut for iPad whereas utilizing different apps. The export progress will seem as a stay exercise.
This is one other characteristic that provides flexibility to the astounding {hardware} energy of M-series outfitted iPads, and opens doorways for extra skilled inventive workflows.
Journal
The Journal app, beforehand unique to iPhone, makes its approach to iPad with iPadOS 26. Journal just about does what it says on the tin – it’s a spot to put in writing about and retailer reminiscences, pictures, and occasions.
Journal on iPad helps Apple Pencil, which ostensibly means there’ll be area to put in writing and attract every entry.
Better audio recording
The iPad’s audio recording powers have expanded with iPadOS 26. As properly as the flexibility to decide on totally different microphone inputs for various apps, the iPad’s Voice Memos app now helps Voice Isolation, which blocks out background noise.
Additionally, customers with appropriate AirPods fashions (AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 2) can profit from what Apple calls ‘studio high quality audio recording’.
Other app updates
As for different iPadOS 26 app updates, the Files App has recieved some key enhancements. List view now exhibits extra element and a preview of every doc, whereas folders could be added to the dock.
The Messages app will get themed backgrounds, polls, and a refreshed UI, whereas Notes and Calculator get superior 3D graphing in each the Calculator itself and Math Notes.
Also, the pen toolkit accessible in apps like Notes will get a brand new reed pen, designed for calligraphy.
Let us know which of those iPad options you’re trying ahead to most within the feedback beneath. There’s loads extra to discover from this yr’s WWDC – make sure to take a look at our WWDC 2025 live blog for a blow-by-blow rundown off all of the updates and bulletins.