iPadOS 26 brings a new design and Mac-like multitasking at long last

Apple has just unveiled iPadOS 26 (yes, you read that right) at the WWDC opening keynote. The update not only brings a brand-new interface for the iPad’s operating system, but it also improves many aspects of iPadOS to make it more like macOS.

From the new Liquid Glass design language to more desktop features and a few extra apps, these are the main new features coming to your iPad with iPadOS 26.

iPadOS 26, not 19

As strange as it may sound, the successor to iPadOS 18 is not version 19, but 26. That’s because Apple has finally decided to unify the version number of all its operating systems. This means that iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS are all now at version 26.

“Why 26?” you ask. The answer is because the new operating systems will be released to the public in September, so they’ll be marketed as 2026 software. So now every new version of Apple’s operating systems will be associated with the following year in the calendar, like a new car model.

Apple

New Liquid Glass design

After many rumors, Apple has unveiled its new “Liquid Glass” interface, which is available not only on iPadOS 26, but also across all its operating systems. From the Lock Screen to the system apps, the interface now simulates glass with reflections and shadows that refract and reflect light and interface elements that float above content below it.

On the iPhone and iPad, the Liquid Glass interface responds to movements with dynamic reflections and brings back the parallax effect to the wallpaper. App icons now adapt to light and dark modes with updated color tints, and there’s a new mode that makes app icons and widgets completely translucent.

This updated interface also extends to core iPad apps, including Safari, Apple TV, and Music, which adopt the new menus and controls.

Desktop-like windowing

When it comes to new features, one of the main highlights of iPadOS 26 is a set of enhancements focused on bringing a more Mac-like experience to the iPad. Managing windows on the iPad has become much easier and more intuitive, as users can now resize and arrange apps on the screen the way they want.

You can still use your iPad like before, but Apple is also bringing some of the macOS controls to iPadOS via a control in the bottom right corner of the screen. You’ll now be able to dynamically resize windows br dragging the corner as well as hover over windows to get new controls for closing, minimizing, or resizing windows. Apps can also display a menu bar at the top of the screen, just like on the Mac. Apple says this will make it easier to find specific commands within apps.

Apple

iPadOS 26 takes better advantage of Apple Silicon chips by enabling true multitasking in the background for apps that need to run more intensive processes. For example, video editing apps like Final Cut Pro can export a project even when they’re running in the background.

On top of all this, iPad users can finally choose default apps to open specific file formats from the Files app, such as setting Photoshop to open PNG files. And the cursor is no longer a circle—it’s now a very Mac-like arrow.

New apps for the iPad

Apple is adding many new apps to the iPad with iPadOS 26. For instance, the Journal app finally arrives on iPad with support for handwriting and sketches with Apple Pencil, as well as photos, videos, audio clips, location data, and mood tracking.

The update also introduces the new Apple Games app, which works as a hub for your game library, progress, and achievements. A new Game Overlay feature lets users access real-time updates, tweak settings, and invite friends without leaving the game, a welcome upgrade for anyone who plays regularly on iPad.

Apple

Improved Apple Intelligence experience

A year after the announcement of Apple Intelligence, Apple is adding more AI-based features to the iPad’s operating system. With iPadOS 26, users have access to Live Translation in FaceTime and Messages. When on a call, you can speak to someone else in another language, and both people will see translated captions. The translation can also be spoken aloud.

Genmoji are also being updated with iPadOS 26, now with the ability to start with an existing emoji and modify it the way you want. There are new options for customizing Genmoji of people with different hair, accessories, and expressions. At the same time, Apple is adding ChatGPT to the Image Playground, so there are now even more styling options available for creating images using AI.

And in the Shortcuts app, users will find new intelligent actions that take advantage of AI models to do things like summarize text and generate images.

Compatibility

iPadOS 26 is compatible with the following iPad models:

• iPad 8 (A12 chip) and later
• iPad mini 5 (A12 chip) and later
• iPad Air 3 (A12 chip) and later
• iPad Pro 2018 (A12X chip) and later

That means just one iOS 18 model, the 7th-gen iPad, is losing support. Of course, some features may require the latest hardware. Apple Intelligence, for example, still requires the M1 chip or later.

iPadOS 26 Availability

A beta version of iPadOS 26 is now available to developers. According to Apple, a public beta version will be available next month. The update is expected to be released to the public this fall.