Apple introduced iPadOS 26 in the course of the keynote tackle of its Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) 2025 on Monday. Referred to as because the “greatest iPadOS launch ever”, the brand new iPad working system replace introduces a visible revamp in step with the brand new Liquid Glass design language. The Cupertino-based tech big has focussed on rising 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 Recordsdata app, and a brand new Preview app.
iPadOS 26 Suitable Fashions
As per Apple, iPadOS 26 might be out there as a free software program replace for the next fashions:
- iPad Professional (M4)
- iPad Professional 12.9-inch (third era and later)
- iPad Professional 11-inch (1st era and later)
- iPad Air (M2 and later)
- iPad Air (third era and later)
- iPad (A16)
- iPad (eighth era and later)
- iPad mini (A17 Professional)
- iPad mini (fifth era and later)
Registered Apple Builders can obtain the developer beta replace beginning at this time, 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 greatest 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 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 mild and darkish tints, and a brand new clear look. Up to date controls and navigation prolong 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 gives a brand new windowing system that lets customers resize app home windows, place them anyplace on the display, and open extra home windows concurrently. Following the replace, they’ll management, organise, and change between app home windows extra effectively than earlier than utilizing shut, minimise, resize, tile, and different acquainted controls.
Picture Credit score: Apple
Window tiling takes benefit of iPad’s capabilities by permitting an app to be reopened within the precise measurement and spot because the earlier occasion. In the meantime, the brand new Expose characteristic opens and spreads the entire home windows directly for straightforward 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 may 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 through a easy swipe down gesture. Alternatively, customers also can transfer their cursor on the high for a similar. It lets them discover a particular characteristic through the brand new search choice, whereas builders also can customise their menu bar to go well with their apps and wishes.
Picture Credit score: Apple
The Recordsdata app has been overhauled and now comes with an up to date Checklist 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 Recordsdata app to the Dock.
Along with enhancing 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 rapidly fill out types utilizing Auto Fill.
Picture Credit score: Apple
Lastly, customers can now run computationally-intensive Background Duties with iPadOS 26. It’s going to present up with Reside Actions when a long-running course of is began in an app, offering a transparent view of what is operating. Additional, builders can leverage the up to date Background Duties API to combine this functionality of their apps too.
