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Apple just revealed the latest updates coming to the iPad's operating system -- iPadOS 26 -- during WWDC 2025. The new iPadOS 26 supports Apple's goal of offering people a more seamless experience across devices, making its user interface more intuitive and consistent.
Also: Everything revealed at Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote: Liquid Glass, MacOS Tahoe, and more
All of Apple's operating systems across devices have a new version number of 26, which streamlines the different versions for consumers. Instead of each OS having a different version number, Apple is rebranding them all according to the year in which most people will have access to them. iPadOS 26 was revealed today and launches to the public in September.
These are the best iPadOS 26 features that Apple unveiled during its yearly WWDC event. The company also unveiled iOS 26, WatchOS 26, MacOS 26, VisionOS 26, and TvOS 26.
With iPadOS 26, Apple is giving the iPad user a more MacOS-like experience. iPadOS 26 brings us better app window controls to make multitasking and app switching on the iPad easier and more intuitive than ever.
Apple has put a lot of focus on improving productivity and app management on the iPad, something that isn't currently very intuitive. Apple introduced an upgraded window management system that lets you resize, move, minimize, and tile windows, much like you can do on a Mac. You can also use Expose view to see all your open windows at a glance, or use a flicking movement to tile your windows.
Also: CarPlay's iOS 26 makeover is almost here: 3 new features coming to your dashboard
iPadOS 26's new menu bar makes menus and commands easier to access.
Apple Intelligence was the main event at WWDC 2024; this year, it was more of a supporting character. After failing to deliver on some AI features and falling flat on others, Apple is going back to what it does best: the user experience. This year, the AI features are more of a complement to the overall iPad interface. Here's what we saw at WWDC:
Also: Your AirPods could get 3 major upgrades for free thanks to iOS 26 - here's what to expect
During WWDC 2025, Apple revealed new updates to existing apps, including new apps for iPad:
The big visual redesign on iPadOS 26 uses what Apple calls Liquid Glass, a set of transparent layers that dynamically adjust with movement and scrolling. This changes the way your iPad display responds to your touch and movement, and lets you customize app icons and notifications with a new translucent look. Apple uses advanced computer vision techniques to create the illusion of movement on photos used in your wallpaper, making the visual experience more fluid.
Apple removes support for older iPad models with each new major software release. This year, the 7th-generation base model iPad is no longer supported for major OS updates.
These are the iPad models that will support iPadOS 26:
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