- Apple has revealed iPados 26
- The new software update brings a new look, new apps and much improved multitasking capacities for iPad
- Apple calls it the “biggest iPados release ever”
Apple has revealed iPados 26, one of the most expansive iPados updates of all time.
New features include a completely revised design, new window tools for multitasking, the addition of the preview app, genmoji and image playground and a renewed file app.
In an official press release, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi said: “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 year’s WWDC – which we still cover via our WWDC 2025 Live blog – Apple has taken a step towards giving the iPad the software stream it needs to get the most out of its amazing hardware. We expect iPados 26 to be released in September 2025 based on the release pattern for previous versions.
As an iPad user myself, I’m glad to see Apple push the tablet capabilities. Without all, this is where the new iPados features we are most excited about.
A new name
The rumors were real – Apple has officially revealed that the successor to iPados 18 will be called iPados 26 instead of iPados 19.
If you are wondering what happened to the seven version numbers between iPados 18 and iPados 26, Apple has decided to change the name Convention on all its operating systems to reflect their year rather than their version number.
However, Apple seems to be going to go the route for High Fashion and Car Names – Conventions by naming each version after the following year – iPados 26 is still expected to release fully in September 2025.
A new look
iPados 26 gets a full visual overhaul, which is perhaps the most immediately exciting change that comes to the iPad.
Alongside iOS 26 and MacOS 26, iPados 26 brings a new Visionos-inspired look for iPads UI and software experience designed with a digital material called Liquid Glass.
Expect transparent structures, rounded corners and bubbling icons both on the home screen and within first -party apps, as well as a new ‘clear’ theme that should sit next to light mode, dark condition and color color settings.
Windows and multitasking
iPados 26 brings better, more flexible window control that is improved with the limited window image of stage manager.
This is a heavy hitter of a new feature that also pushes iPad further into the Mac territory – correct window control.
iPados 26 offers the option of changing the size and rearranging window apps for any size or position on the screen. When you close and open an app again, it appears in the same position and in the same size you opened it last.
For years, iPad users have been left behind when it comes to window control -the addition of stage manager in 2022 added some kind of multitasking to iPad, but it never really feels as smooth as a Mac -Desktop or something like Samsung Dex. It may be changing.
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The new window system also includes the new exposure view reminiscent of MacOS ‘mission control, and the mouse pointer has been updated to be, yes, an indeed pointed.
WWDC keynote confirmed that this new window system with support of up to six simultaneous Windows will come to all currently available iPads.
iPados 26 also adds a menu bar to the new window mode available by bringing the mouse to the top of the screen.
The new menu bar is – but not identical – to the menu bar at MacOS, with specific settings based on the current open app.
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Preview
Preview – Apple’s dedicated PDF app – comes to iPad with iPados 26, making it much easier to read, edit and export PDFs.
The app’s features include the ability to open PDFs from the Files app, create empty pages and use Apple Pencil to draw or write and use Apple’s AutoFill system to fill out forms and documents.
As an iPad user often, I’ve been frustrated with the tablet’s limited opportunities to work with PDFS – I’m glad to see Apple implement preview.
Apple games
iPados 26 brings a dedicated game app to iPad. The new Apple Games app is a spiritual successor of the Game Center app that was removed from iPados and iOS in 2016, and brings all your games in one place.
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Apple Games also replaces Game Center’s newer feature as the game -focused aspect of a user’s Apple ID. The new game overlay allows users to call friends or invite them to games, check updates and access settings.
The new app is also coming to iPhone via iOS 26.
Apple Intelligence updates
iPados brings a series of Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Apple’s tablet platform.
Genmoji and photo playground run for iPad for the first time and allow users to create tailor -made emoji and images.
Siri has also received an upgrade that remains aware of the context of prior requests and benefits from a large database of Apple product knowledge.
In addition, live translation for FaceTime and messages on iPad and iPhone comes, making communication across language barriers easier.
Background assignments
iPads are the most powerful tablets you can buy, and with iPados, 26 users can now access this power with tasks in the background.
For example, you will now be able to export a video with a Final Cut to iPad while using other apps. Export progress appears as a living activity.
This is another feature that adds flexibility to the astonishing hardware power of the M series equipped iPads, and opens doors for more professional creative workflows.
Journal
The Journal app, which was previously exclusive to iPhone, runs to iPad with iPados 26. Journal is pretty much what it says on tin – it’s a place to write about and save memories, photos and events.
Journal about iPad supports Apple Pencil, which apparently means there will be room to write and pull in each mail.
Better audio recording
IPads audio recording powers are expanded with iPados 26. As well as the possibility of choosing different microphone inputs for different apps, the iPad’s Voice MEMOS app now supports voice insulation that blocks background noise.
In addition, users with compatible AirPods models (AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 2) can take advantage of what Apple calls ‘Studio Quality Audio recording’.
Other app updates
As for other iPados 26 app updates, the Files app has received some important improvements. List view now shows more details and a preview of each document, while folders can be added to the dock.
The messages app will have the theme backgrounds, polls and an updated user interface, while notes and calculator get advanced 3D graphing in both the calculator itself and mathematics notes.
Pen Toolkit, available in apps like notes, also gets a new Reed Pen designed for calligraphy.
Tell us which of these iPad features you look forward to most in the comments below. There is a lot more to explore from this year’s WWDC-Sørg to check out our WWDC 2025 Live blog for a blow-by-blow overview of all updates and messages.
