As expected, Apple announced the latest version of iPadOS at its WWDC conference on Monday, bringing with it a series of exciting new features for the popular tablet. Like iOS for iPhones, iPadOS will get a bump to version no. 26 as Apple brings more consistency to its OS lineup, including WatchOS, TVOS and VisionOS. It’s a cosmetic change like the one we saw from Samsung in 2020 to align its smartphones to the years they were released.

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Last year, we saw dramatic changes in iPadOS 18, and it makes this year’s software update slightly less visually interesting in comparison, but there’s enough new here to get excited about. Last year’s iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 felt like one of the biggest visual overhauls Apple had done for either operating system in some time, introducing new ways for users to customize their home experience, along with the first Apple Intelligence features — many of which will finally make their debut in this latest update. 

Possibly the biggest announcement in iPadOS 26 is the updated windowing system that will turn your multitasking game up to 11. Apple’s blurring the lines between its operating systems with the latest iPad update. Any fear it may have had about the iPad cutting into Mac sales seems to be gone, as iPadOS makes the two feel more similar than ever. 

For more, catch up with everything you missed at WWDC 2025.

Below, we’ll cover what’s new in the latest version of iPadOS and when you’ll be able to get your hands on it.

What’s new in iPadOS 26?

Let’s get right into it. Apple’s approach to the iPad and iPhone operating systems focuses on refining what was introduced in last year’s update while adding new features that make both feel like they’re playing catch-up.

Liquid Glass

Apple announced a new design language that will span across all of its operating systems, called Liquid Glass. As the name suggests, a glass-like look will be found throughout several pieces of the UI, including a new “all clear” mode you can apply to all of your home screen icons that looks slick. The new design takes cues from VisionOS on the Vision Pro headset, adding a new, futuristic vibe to your iPad. 

A multitasking overhaul 

While Apple called iPadOS 26 the biggest update to its tablet operating system ever during its keynote, the new windowing system for multitasking might be the biggest feature on most people’s minds. 

iPadOS 26 introduced a new way to resize your apps into floating windows so you can have multiple apps running at the same time and control exactly where you place them. Window tiling will allow users to rearrange windows with minimal effort. In addition, the new windowing system works with Stage Manager and external displays in case you need more space to work with. 

Another feature that iPadOS is borrowing from the Mac is Exposé, allowing you to get a quick view of all open windows — demoed using the iPad’s Magic Keyboard accessory. Said accessory is typically expensive but almost seems necessary to fully utilize all of iPadOS’ new features.

The demos during the keynote gave iPadOS a MacOS quality, and if it functions as it should, users’ productivity on an iPad is about to improve significantly. 

The best news is that the new windowing multitasking modes will work on all current iPads, even the basic one. How it works on smaller screens like the Mini, well, we’ll find out.

A new menu bar for apps

Apple is pushing iPadOS into MacOS territory with the new way to multitask, and it didn’t stop there. iPadOS will also get a brand new menu bar that will provide specific app feature settings or tips, and developers will be able to make adjustments to what’s shown in the menu. 

To access the menu bar, you can swipe down from the top of the screen, and if you’re using a mouse, you can bring your cursor to the top.

A new file app that’s also Maclike

The Mac feelings continue in a redesigned Files app that now adds folders and a layout that even more closely resembles MacOS file browsing. The added list layouts and flexible way the app can be used to drag files into the dock below give this a truly Mac-like vibe, and should hopefully make working with files feel more natural. Folders can spring open to show content inside, too, and you can even choose default apps to open files in.

Better audio selection tools

For anyone who podcasts or streams from an iPad, added audio-selection input controls look like they’ll also help. The added hook-ins should make accessories connect more easily.

Preview, just like Mac

A Preview app is coming, and it looks just like Preview that lives on the Mac. It supports Pencil annotations but should also be a more helpful way to manage files. Currently, looking at images and documents is a more awkward process run through the Files app, but splitting Preview out should allow better multitasking.

When will you be able to try iPadOS 26?

For most of us, this version of iPadOS won’t arrive until the iPhone 17 hits shelves — something we anticipate happening in September. However, Apple has both a developer beta that is aimed at developers, with a more consumer-friendly beta arriving to those who want to test out the latest features from Apple with more reliability. While the developer beta can typically be installed via the settings on your iPhone, we’ll keep this article updated for any news on the public beta release date for iPadOS 26. 

For more, don’t miss everything about the latest version of Mac OS, Tahoe.