iPadOS 26, previewed at WWDC 2025, promises to supercharge your tablet’s productivity with what Apple calls its “biggest software update yet.” Key features include dynamic app window resizing, a new menu bar with drop-downs, and Apple’s visually refreshed Liquid Glass redesign. This release offers iPad users a significantly more Mac-like experience.
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The anticipated Mac-like multitasking overhaul has arrived. The new windowing system allows users to seamlessly close, minimize, resize, or tile windows with unprecedented freedom, no longer restricted like in previous Stage Manager versions. Windows can be resized by dragging a handle, or quickly tiled to screen edges. When apps are reopened, windows return to their last position.
Exposé, a Mac staple, now appears on iPad, displaying open windows in a tiled array for easier switching. Background tasks, like exports, will continue running and appear as Live Activities. The familiar menu bar also comes to iPadOS 26, offering traditional menu entries (File, Edit, View, etc.) for the active app. It can be accessed via a swipe down or a cursor click with a trackpad/mouse.
The Preview app is introduced, enabling viewing and editing of PDFs with Apple Pencil or touch markup. It also includes AutoFill for PDF forms. The Files app gets an update with a new List view, resizable columns, collapsible folders, and the ability to set default apps for specific file types. Dragging folders to the dock, similar to macOS, is now an option.
These significant productivity enhancements follow years of incremental updates, marking a “giant leap” for power users seeking more “Pro” functionality. Importantly, these updates will be available across all iPad models, including the entry-level and iPad mini, not just the Pro and Air.
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iPadOS 26 integrates the new Liquid Glass redesign seen across Apple’s 2025 software, featuring translucent effects and rounded icons inspired by visionOS. The naming scheme is also new, with all upcoming Apple software adopting the “26” moniker to align versions and reduce confusion, representing the de facto software for the bulk of 2026.
Smaller updates include a new dedicated Games app and the Phone app (allowing direct calls from your tablet). An audio input selector offers per-app microphone choices. Furthermore, the new Apple Intelligence features, including live translation, are integrated.
The first iPadOS 26 developer beta is available now, with public betas following in July. The final software release is expected this fall, likely around September.
