The debut of iPadOS 26 is on June 9, and Apple is about to introduce a radical redesign, improved Apple Pencil performance, and rather more. Here is what the rumor mill has to say in regards to the replace.
Apple’s 2024 software program releases largely revolved round Apple Intelligence, as the corporate’s platforms acquired generative AI options throughout the board. The iPhone, iPad, and Mac all gained AI-powered electronic mail summarization, a brand new Clear Up device within the Images app, and rather more.
Probably the most notable enchancment inside iPadOS 18, nevertheless, was a standalone Calculator app, developed underneath the challenge codename GreyParrot. Whereas the iPad will virtually definitely obtain just a few distinctive enhancements, very similar to it did in 2024, Apple is claimed to be aiming for even higher platform consistency this time round.
The corporate’s software program releases are anticipated to debut with a redesigned consumer interface and an analogous assortment of recent options throughout the board. The following era of iPadOS might even be a bit nearer to macOS, as multitasking and productiveness enhancements are stated to be within the works.
Analysts and leakers alike have made few predictions about iPadOS 26 particularly, however we have heard lots about Apple’s next-gen working programs as a complete, from leakers and analysts alike. Here is what they’ve stated to date.
iPadOS 26 anticipated system compatibility
iPadOS 18 dropped assist for 3 older iPad fashions, the 2017 10.5-inch iPad Professional and 12.9-inch iPad Professional, and the iPad 6. The 2 iPad Professionals had been outfitted with Apple’s A10X chip, whereas the iPad 6 featured an A10 chip.
iPadOS 26 would possibly drop assist for the iPad 7.
It seems as if iPadOS 26 will add one other iPad with the A10 system-on-chip to the record of unsupported gadgets.
In response to a December 2024 rumor and a separate April 2025 report, iPadOS 26 will assist the next iPad fashions:
Which means that iPadOS 26 is not going to assist the seventh-generation iPad. The system options the A10 chip, additionally discovered within the 2016 iPhone 7. Extra highly effective A10X-based iPad Professional fashions had been dropped with the iPadOS 18 replace, so it is smart that Apple will do the identical with the iPad 7 in 2025.
iPadOS 26 as a substitute of iPadOS 19
In response to a Could 2025 report, Apple will introduce a completely new model numbering system at WWDC 2025. Which means that slightly than iPadOS 19, we’ll possible see iPadOS 26.
All of Apple’s working programs, together with iOS, visionOS, and macOS, are anticipated to obtain the brand new “26” model quantity. In doing so, Apple seeks to make issues simpler for finish shoppers, who will not have to recollect a number of software program model numbers simply to get an concept of how current a selected working system is likely to be.
The transfer is paying homage to what Microsoft did again within the mid-to-late Nineteen Nineties, with releases corresponding to Home windows 98, Home windows 98, and Home windows 2000. The quantity 26, chosen by Apple, stands for 2026, because the working programs will debut in late 2025 and shall be utilized by shoppers all through most of 2026.
AppleInsider can independently confirm the existence of Apple’s “26” model branding. Individuals conversant in the matter have instructed us that the brand new model system has appeared in pre-release working programs, although placeholder names corresponding to iOS 19 and macOS 16 stay in lively use.
iPadOS 26 will possible resemble visionOS
Rumors way back to February 2024 steered that an working system redesign was within the works, and that it could debut in 2025 or 2026. Although some believed Apple’s new consumer interface would not resemble visionOS within the slightest, others latched onto the thought.
iPadOS 26 function a consumer interface just like visionOS.
The identical yr, two separate reviews claimed a visionOS-style redesign would arrive with iOS 18. Whereas these claims in the end turned out to be incorrect, provided that such a design change by no means materialized, a redesign would possibly in the end occur in 2025.
Two reviews from a usually dependable supply, in March 2025, stated that Apple was engaged on a large visible alteration with its next-gen working programs. The declare was later reiterated in a Could 2025 report, which added that “Solarium” was the challenge codename of the UI overhaul.
A really late report added that there could be a “Liquid Glass” consumer interface, which places the Solarium identify unsure.
The important thing level of the transfer is to enchantment to current customers whereas nonetheless attracting new customers down the highway. The design change will not be nearly aesthetics, nevertheless, as rumors counsel the brand new UI is meant to make iOS and iPadOS sooner to navigate, simpler to study, and less complicated total to make use of.
The brand new consumer interface is predicted to debut throughout the board, with a June 3 report saying that CarPlay would additionally profit from the identical visible therapy. The iPad, understandably, will not stick out, and there are already fan-made ideas on the market.
iPadOS 26 might not function round icons like beforehand rumored.
As for what the brand new design would possibly seem like, an April 2025 video confirmed off an iOS 26 Dwelling display design with round icons. The leak steered that apps with tabs would get extra animations, and floating bars dubbed TabView. These supposedly mimic floating UI components already current in iOS, however have full of life animations just like the Dynamic Island.
Easy light-reflective circles is likely to be added to buttons, together with an elongated modal window UI, and there may additionally be gentle stylistic cues or references to Apple’s Sports activities and Invitations apps.
Nevertheless, the video, together with two earlier leaks from January and March 2025, was dismissed by a extra outstanding leaker as incomplete or outdated, suggesting that it might not replicate the ultimate working system look we’ll see at WWDC.
On June 6, the identical supply claimed that Dwelling Display icons will keep their present look on iPhone and iPad.
Widgets for the Climate and Shares apps will reportedly obtain a minor visible replace, although their functioning will stay unchanged. Safari is predicted to achieve a clear handle bar with a glass-like look, whereas the Digicam utility may very well be up to date with a simplified design.
Alongside the radically completely different design, which Apple seemingly teased on June 2, iPadOS 26 might ship with just a few enhancements unique to the iPad platform.
iPad-specific options rumored for iPadOS 26
Though iPadOS 26 is predicted to function lots of the enhancements and visible adjustments present in its iOS counterpart, there are a few enhancements that is likely to be primarily supposed for the iPad.
iPadOS 26 might ship Apple Pencil enhancements for Arabic calligraphy.
Particularly, a Could 2025 rumor steered iPadOS 26 would possibly ship two adjustments associated to the Apple Pencil. They’ll reportedly be carried out to assist customers within the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia write in Arabic.
The primary is the introduction of a complicated bi-directional keyboard, designed to modify between the right-to-left Arabic and the left-to-right English languages.
The second change entails a brand new digital reed calligraphy pen for Apple Pencil customers. It’s possible that Apple’s take will supply a writing expertise nearer to how a Kamish reed pen is dealt with and used, versus any current calligraphy pen already utilized in apps.
Kamish reed pens are historically used for calligraphy by Arab, Iranian, and Turkish calligraphers, and Apple will attempt to mirror the expertise via a digital calligraphy pen. The transfer might assist enhance Apple’s gross sales within the UAE and Saudi Arabia by bettering how its instruments work with Arabic.
iPadOS 26 can also be rumored to be a extra macOS-like replace, one that might probably make the pill much more of a workhorse.
Apple might replace Stage Supervisor with iPadOS 26.
Whereas particulars are scant, an April 2025 report claimed that there could be a concentrate on productiveness, multitasking, and app administration. Although this has all the time been comparatively weak on iPad in comparison with a Mac, Apple supposedly intends to make iPadOS extra Mac-like on this regard.
The Mac and iPad will possible nonetheless have their very own working programs, however they may change into a bit nearer usage-wise at the very least. It is not completely clear how Apple will go about carrying out this, nevertheless. It is likely to be via an improved Stage Supervisor or an alteration to the multitasking system. The up to date multitasking performance may additionally require a Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad.
One other April 2025 rumor, from a leaker with a poor observe document steered that the following era of iPadOS might introduce a menu bar just like the one present in macOS. Whereas this explicit concept is far-fetched, loads of different claims have appeared in regards to the options and apps we’d see in iPadOS 26.
New Apple Video games app, Preview coming to iPadOS
In response to a Could 2025 report, Apple will introduce a devoted game-related app throughout WWDC 2025. Supposedly, Apple desires to promote avid gamers and builders on the concept that it’s a chief available in the market with a brand new app. This declare aligns with an analogous rumor from October 2024.
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Apple would possibly unveil a devoted Video games app throughout WWDC 2025.
The brand new Apple Video games app will reportedly act as a mesh between Apple’s disparate gaming programs. It’s rumored to point out editorial content material about video games, the App Retailer video games web page, Apple Arcade, leaderboards, and extra. Mac customers may additionally get an app that ties to video games downloaded exterior of the App Retailer. This explicit rumor possible applies to the game-launching side of the app.
Video games is claimed to have 5 tabs: Dwelling, Arcade, Play Collectively, and Search, in line with a June 6 report. It can embody each Apple Arcade and third-party video games. Apple is reportedly seeking to make its gadgets contenders within the gaming trade trough the Video games app. The identical supply, nevertheless, means that the app is underwhelming and that Apple will proceed to return up quick in gaming circles, because it has historically.
Along with the all-new Video games utility, a June 6 report signifies that Apple plans to convey its Preview app to the iPad. Preview itself is at the moment accessible solely on macOS, the place it is used for PDF enhancing, viewing and annotation. Internally, Apple has had a working cellular model of Preview since at the very least iOS 8, and the corporate would possibly lastly make the identical performance accessible to finish shoppers.
On the Mac, Preview can be utilized to open BMP, GIF, JPEGs, PDFs clearly, PowerPoint, PhotoShop, and plenty of extra file codecs. We might see the identical total performance make its strategy to the iPad with iPadOS 26.
Apple Intelligence battery administration and reside translation options
In response to a separate Could 2025 rumor, Apple is making ready to introduce a brand new Apple Intelligence function with iOS 26. It is stated to be an replace to the battery administration system of iOS, which might work based mostly on utilization habits.
Apple might convey reside translation to Messages and AirPods with iPadOS 26.
The proposed system will allegedly monitor the way in which that the consumer really makes use of their iPhone, and use that as a foundation for energy administration choices. This will embody making setting or configuration adjustments to preserve vitality at sure occasions.
Although this has solely been rumored for iPhone, the brand new battery-related function will possible be accessible for iPad as nicely, provided that each platforms assist Apple Intelligence.
Siri can also be anticipated to obtain a chatbot-type Apple Intelligence improve, in line with a November 2024 report. By Siri chatbot, the report stated it could be a big language mannequin (LLM)-based Siri, which might be capable to deal with extra conversational options. Apple nonetheless has but to ship Siri’s private context options, which had been promised at WWDC 2024, after which delayed.
The corporate’s iconic AirPods, in the meantime, are rumored to obtain a completely new function that interprets in-person conversations from one language to a different. The rumored reside translation functionality will make it considerably simpler for audio system of two completely different languages to speak. In response to a March 2025 report, it is anticipated to debut with the discharge of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.
The interpretation change will not be restricted to simply AirPods, both. On June 3, rumors claimed that Messages might acquire a reside translation function powered by Apple Intelligence. Textual content arriving in a language apart from the one set within the system shall be robotically translated, it was claimed.
The Messages app might obtain a brand new in-app ballot function with iPadOS 26.
The declare was then reiterated on June 6, which additionally mentions the opportunity of reside telephone name translation, and updates to the Translate app. As a part of a developer-focused change, Apple plans to make a few of its Apple Intelligence instruments and basis fashions accessible to third-party builders.
This might imply builders having the ability to use the identical AI instruments that Apple has for Genmoji and Writing Instruments. Genmoji can also be the one of many smaller areas of focus for Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2025.
It is claimed that they are going to get a small improve that may see Genmoji in a position to mix current, commonplace ones into new photographs.Then alongside these particular options, Apple is predicted to improve its Shortcuts app, giving it instruments to assist customers extra simply make automations on their Macs, iPhones, and iPads.
Messages may additionally get one other function, the identical rumors claimed, with in-app polls being a risk. Already accessible in rival messaging apps, the polls might use contextual knowledge and AI to assist customers generate polls on the fly. Customers may also be capable to set a customized background in Messages, which can sync throughout gadgets.
Then alongside these particular options, Apple is predicted to improve its Shortcuts app, giving it instruments to assist customers extra simply make automations on their Macs, iPhones, and iPads.
Notes, Messages, and Music enhancements
There was additionally a rumor in regards to the Apple Music app, gaining a full-screen animated art work function to the Lock Display. At present, album artwork is proven on the Lock Display in an unanimated sq., with the brand new model being nearer in idea to the Now Enjoying display.
Apple Notes might additionally get a long-requested function, to export notes in Markdown. These are all solely rumored adjustments, although. Formally, Apple has unveiled only some tidbits about its next-gen working programs forward of WWDC.
New accessibility options, outdated Apple Dwelling structure getting discontinued
On Could 13, Forward of International Accessibility Consciousness Day 2025, Apple unveiled a slew of recent options coming to its working programs. Although they’re technically new software program options, the enhancements themselves are supposed for folks with disabilities.
Apple will discontinue the outdated Apple Dwelling structure with iPadOS 26.
The brand new options for iPhone and iPad embody:
- Accessibility Diet Labels on the App Retailer
- Magnifier for Mac
- Braille Entry
- Accessibility Reader
Apple says that it is usually updating:
- Eye Monitoring on iPhone and iPad
- Head Monitoring to manage gadgets with head actions
- Swap Management for Mind Pc Interfaces
- Assistive Entry for the Apple TV app
- Customizable Music Haptics on iPhone
- Sound Recognition beneficial properties Identify Recognition
- Voice Management for Xcode
- New languages in Reside Captions
- Massive Textual content in CarPlay
Alongside all of those new and up to date options, Apple says it’s including an possibility known as Share Accessibility Settings. It is supposed in order that customers can shortly share their settings when borrowing another person’s system.
On Could 12, a day earlier than the corporate revealed its new software program options, Apple additionally defined that it could be discontinuing assist for the outdated Apple Dwelling structure in 2025, which strains up with the discharge of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.
iPadOS 26 potential launch date
Apple sometimes releases new working system updates to most of the people in September of every yr, alongside new iPhone fashions. Nevertheless, earlier than an working system turns into accessible to everybody, it is first previewed at Apple’s annual Worldwide Builders’ Convention, which is held in June.
In the course of the week of WWDC, and within the months after the occasion, Apple releases developer beta builds of iOS and iPadOS. That is accomplished in order that builders can benefit from perform adjustments and different alterations included within the firm’s new working programs.
This strategy additionally lets builders and testers see if any of the adjustments they hoped for really made into the OS. Finally, we’ll get our first official glimpse of iPadOS 26 (or iPadOS 19) at WWDC on June 9, 2025.
