iPadOS 26 Unlocks New Power with Windowing, AI Features, and Creative Pro Tools Apple has introduced iPadOS 26, a landmark update that transforms the iPad into an even more powerful productivity and creativity platform.

The release brings a refreshed design language, a full-fledged windowing system, tighter Apple Intelligence integration, and a suite of new apps and tools that dramatically expand the iPad’s role for professionals, students, and everyday users.

Described by Apple as the “biggest iPadOS release ever,” iPadOS 26 continues Apple’s drive to bridge simplicity and power—offering desktop-grade features within an intuitive touch-first environment.

Liquid Glass Redesign Brings Visual Harmony

The new design is led by Liquid Glass, a translucent UI material that refracts light, reacts to movement, and brings clarity to app interactions. The effect runs system-wide—from the Lock Screen and Control Center to redesigned apps like Mail, Safari, and Apple Music.

Home Screen personalisation gets a boost, with app icons and widgets now supporting light/dark variations, tints, and a new clear aesthetic. Updated navigation controls round out the elegant refresh while preserving the core iPadOS familiarity.

All-New Windowing System: Multitasking Gets Serious

For the first time, iPadOS 26 introduces a robust windowing system that lets users resize, arrange, and layer app windows with precision. Windows can be tiled with simple gestures, reopened in their last position, and managed via Exposé for easy switching.

This windowing system works with Stage Manager and external displays, enabling high-performance multitasking on M-series iPads. A new menu bar also debuts, bringing Mac-style app menus to the iPad, with contextual commands accessible via touch or pointer.

Apple Intelligence Grows More Capable on iPad

iPadOS 26 enhances the privacy-first AI system Apple Intelligence with deeper integration:

• Live Translation in Messages, Phone, and FaceTime translates texts and speech in real time.

• Genmoji and Image Playground offer more ways to customise expressions, modify personal features, and create AI-generated visuals—now with ChatGPT style support.

• Shortcuts become more powerful with intelligent actions, allowing users to automate complex tasks like comparing lecture notes with audio transcriptions, or generating creative assets mid-workflow.

These features all run on-device where possible, with Private Cloud Compute preserving data privacy for larger model requests.

Files, Preview, and PDF Tools Evolve for Workflows

A supercharged Files app brings resizable columns, collapsible folders, folder customisation (colours, icons, emoji), and file-type default app assignments. Users can also pin folders to the Dock for faster access.

The Preview app arrives on iPad, offering Mac-style PDF markup, form filling with AutoFill, and Apple Pencil sketching. It also acts as a central hub for managing PDFs and images via the Files app.

Pro Tools for Audio, Video, and Background Work

iPadOS 26 enables Background Tasks, ideal for video rendering, file uploads, or data processing—complete with Live Activities tracking. Users can also choose microphone input per app or site, enabling pro-level audio workflows.

Local capture allows clean recording of video calls, while Voice Isolation and echo cancellation improve clarity. With AirPods 4 and Pro 2, users get studio-quality audio recording directly from iPad.

Expanded App Ecosystem and New Communication Tools

• Apple Games app unifies iPad gaming with friend invites, event tracking, and a new Game Overlay for adjusting settings or chatting mid-game.

• Journal comes to iPad with handwriting, photo, and audio entry options, plus map-based organisation.

• Messages gains personalised Backgrounds, Polls, and Apple Intelligence-driven suggestions. The new Phone app brings Call Screening and Hold Assist, making iPad a more complete communication device.

Additional Features in iPadOS 26

• The new reed pen simulates calligraphy in Notes, Freeform, and Preview.

• Calculator now supports 3D graphing in Math Notes for advanced equations.

• Notes gains markdown support and audio transcription import.

• Accessibility updates include Accessibility Reader, Braille Access, and Share Accessibility Settings for borrowing another user’s assistive preferences.

With iPadOS 26, Apple closes the gap between iPad and Mac more than ever before—without compromising the iPad’s ease of use. The new windowing system, productivity tools, and Apple Intelligence integration position the iPad as a go-to device for advanced workflows, creative exploration, and day-to-day flexibility.

The developer beta is available now, with a public beta launching next month. Full release is expected this autumn for iPads from the 8th generation onward, and M1+ devices will unlock the full range of Apple Intelligence features.