- Apple has unveiled iPados 26
- The new software -update offers a new look, new apps and enormously improved multitasking options for iPad
- Apple calls it the “largest iPados release ever”
Apple has unveiled iPados 26, one of the most extensive iPados updates of all time.
New functions include a fully overhauled design, new Windowing tools for multitasking, the addition of the preview app, Genmoji and Image Playground and a renewed files -app.
In an official press releaseSenior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federghi from Apple said: “iPados 26 is our largest iPados release ever, with powerful functions that bring the experience to the next level and transform what users can do on iPad”
With this year WWDC – which we still cover through our WWDC 2025 Live blog – Apple has taken a step to give the iPad the software power it needs to get the most out of its fantastic hardware. We expect that iPados 26 will be released in September 2025 based on the release pattern of earlier versions.
As an iPad user, I am happy that Apple pushes the possibilities of the tablet. Without further delay, here are the new iPados functions that we are most enthusiastic about.
A new name
The rumors were true – Apple officially revealed that the successor of iPados 18 iPados 26 will be called, instead of iPados 19.
If you wonder what happened with the seven version numbers between iPados 18 and iPados 26, Apple has decided to be the naming convention of all operating systems To display their year, instead of their version number.
However, Apple seems to follow the route of High Fashion and Automotive Naming Conventions by appointing each version after the following year – iPados 26 is expected to still 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 iPad.
In addition to iOS 26 and MacOS 26, iPados 26 brings a new look inspired on Visionos to the onion and software experience of the iPad, built with a digital material called Liquid Glass.
Expect translucent textures, rounded corners and bustling icons on the home screen and within First-Party apps, as well as a new ‘clear’ theme to sit next to light mode, the dark mode and the color tint options.
Windows and multitasking
iPados 26 brings a better, more flexible window management that improves the display with limited windows by Stage Manager.
This is a tough batter of a new function that also pushes the iPad further into Mac territory – Good Window Management.
iPados 26 offers the possibility to change the apps of windows and rearranging it to any size or position on the screen. When you close an app and open it again, it will appear in the same position and you last open it at the same size.
Years, iPad users have been left when it comes to window management – The addition of Stage Manager in 2022 has added a kind of multitasking to iPad, but it is never really felt as smooth as a Mac -Desktop or something like something Samsung Dex. That could change.
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The new Windows system also includes the new exhibition display, which is reminiscent of the mission control of macOS, and the mouse pointer has been updated as a real pointed person.
The WWDC keynote confirmed that this new windows system, with support for a maximum of six simultaneous windows, will come to all currently available iPads.
iPados 26 also adds a menu bar to the new window mode, accessible by bringing the mouse to the top of the screen.
The new menu bar is reminiscent – but not identical – of the menu bar on macOS, with specific options based on the currently opened app.
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Sample
Preview – Apple’s special PDF -App – comes to iPad with iPados 26, making it much easier to read, edit and export PDFs.
The functions of the app include the possibility to open PDFs from the files app, make empty pages and use Apple Pencil to draw or write, and use the Apple’s Autofill system to fill in forms and documents.
As an iPad user, I am often frustrated by the limited options of the tablet to work with PDFs – I am happy that Apple is implementing preview.
Apple Games
iPados 26 brings a special gaming app to the iPad. The new Apple Games -app is a spiritual successor to the Game Center app that was removed from iPados and iOS in 2016 and brings all your games together in one place.
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Apple Games also replaces the more recent function of Game Center as the gaming-oriented aspect of the Apple ID of a user. With the new game overlay, users can call friends or invite them for games, view updates and access settings.
The new app also comes to iPhone via iOS 26.
Apple Intelligence Updates
iPados brings some Apple Intelligence Functions and improvements in the Apple tablet platform.
Genmoji and Image Playground go to iPad for the first time and offer users the opportunity to make custom -made emoji and images.
Siri has also received an upgrade and remains aware of the context of previous requests and benefits from a large database of Apple product knowledge.
Moreover, live translation into Facetime and Messages on iPad and iPhone, making communication between language barriers easier.
Tasks
iPads are the most powerful tablets you can buy, and with iPados 26 users now have access to that electricity with tasks in the background.
For example, you can now export a video with the last cut for iPad while using other apps. The export progress will appear as a live activity.
This is another function that adds flexibility to the amazing hardware test of M-series and doors opened for more professional creative workflows.
Magazine
The Journal app, formerly exclusively for iPhone, makes its way to iPad with iPados 26. Journal almost does what is on the can – it is a place to write about and to store memories, photos and events.
Journal on iPad supports Apple Pencil, which apparently means that there is room to write and draw in every item.
Better Audio recording
The Audio record capacity of the iPad are expanded with iPados 26. As well as the possibility to choose different microphone input for different apps, the speech memos -app of the iPad now supports speech insulation, which blocks background noise.
In addition, users with compatible AirPods models (AirPods 4AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 2) can benefit from what Apple calls ‘studio quality audio recording’.
Other app -updates
Regarding other iPados 26 app updates, the files -app has received some important improvements. List view now shows more details and an example of each document, while folders can be added to the dock.
The Messages -App receives a theme -backgrounds, polls and a new user interface, while notes and calculator receive advanced 3D graphs in both the calculator itself and mathematical totitions.
The Pen Toolkit also gets accessible in apps such as Notes a new Rietpen, designed for calligraphy.
Let us know which of these iPad functions you look out the most in the comments below. There is much more to explore this year’s WWDC – make sure you WWDC 2025 Live blog For a blow-by-blow rundown of all updates and announcements.
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