Apple has officially unveiled iPadOS 26 during its WWDC 2025 keynote, marking one of the most significant updates in the iPad’s history. With the introduction of the Liquid Glass UI and revolutionary windowing features, iPadOS 26 is positioning the iPad not just as a tablet, but as a true desktop-class productivity device. This upgrade combines a stunning visual overhaul with robust multitasking tools, transforming how users work, create, and play on their iPads.
Whether you’re a professional creative, student, educator, or casual user, iPadOS 26 has something to offer. With a mix of cutting-edge design, smart features powered by artificial intelligence, and significant productivity improvements, the update caters to a wide audience and enhances the overall Apple ecosystem.
Apple Unveils iPadOS 26 With Liquid Glass UI
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Liquid Glass UI | A translucent, dynamic visual style that adapts to light, motion, and context. |
| Advanced Windowing | Resizable, movable windows with Mac-style traffic light controls and a desktop-style menu bar. |
| Apple Intelligence Integration | On-device AI features including live translation, Genmoji, and Image Playground. |
| Preview App for iPad | Native PDF editing with Apple Pencil support. |
| Game Overlay + Apple Games | Real-time game controls, chats, and centralized gaming content. |
| Device Compatibility | Available on iPads with A12 Bionic or later; full features require A17 Pro or M1+. |
| Security & Privacy Enhancements | New app tracking notifications, stronger encryption, and on-device Siri intelligence. |
| Developer Tools | Swift Playground 6, Xcode Cloud integration, and improved ARKit. |
| Battery & Performance Boosts | Smart charging routines, dynamic refresh rates, and background efficiency improvements. |
| Focus Mode Enhancements | More customizable profiles with intelligent app and contact filtering. |
| Health App on iPad | For the first time, the Health app is available on iPad, with a redesigned interface. |
| Availability | Developer beta now live, public beta next month, full release in Fall 2025. |
| Official Website | apple.com/ipados |
Apple’s iPadOS 26 isn’t just an update—it’s a transformation. With its elegant Liquid Glass UI, real multitasking through windowing, on-device Apple Intelligence, and wide-ranging productivity enhancements, this update brings the iPad closer to being a standalone powerhouse.
What is Liquid Glass UI?
The Liquid Glass UI represents a shift in how users interact with their iPads visually. It’s sleek, fluid, and highly responsive to environmental and usage cues. Elements like the lock screen, control center, and even notifications now shimmer and bend light like real glass.
Why does this matter? It’s not just for show. This design makes it easier to distinguish layered content, improves visibility in different lighting, and delivers a modern, premium feel that aligns with Apple’s broader design language across devices like Vision Pro and macOS.
For users with visual sensitivities, settings allow customization of motion intensity and contrast levels, ensuring the UI remains accessible to everyone.
A True Desktop-Class Windowing Experience
Multitasking on iPad has reached a new level. iPadOS 26 bridges the gap between iPad and Mac by introducing a windowing experience that mimics what desktop users have long relied on. You can now:
- Drag and resize windows freely.
- Group apps into tiled layouts.
- Access a macOS-like menu bar with app-specific controls.
- View all open windows in a clean Exposé-style layout.
Additionally, external display support is vastly improved. When connected to a monitor, iPads with M1 or higher chips can show an entirely separate workspace, not just a mirrored screen.
Apple Intelligence: Smart Features You Can Trust
Apple Intelligence is built with privacy in mind. Unlike many cloud-based AI tools, Apple processes everything locally (on-device) using Neural Engine capabilities. Here’s what that enables:
- Real-time translation during live calls or conversations.
- Context-aware Smart Replies in Mail and Messages.
- Text and image generation that feels natural and creative.
For example, a teacher creating a worksheet can quickly generate visuals and summaries using Image Playground and Smart Shortcuts—all without leaving the iPad.
Tools for Productivity and Creativity
Beyond flashy design, iPadOS 26 boosts how you get things done:
Files and Preview App
- Organize files with customizable views.
- Sign, annotate, and edit PDFs without needing third-party apps.
- Use Apple Pencil for seamless note-taking.
Notes and Collaboration
- Share notes with real-time collaboration.
- Use audio recordings synced with written notes.
- Math equations and diagrams now render with Scribble support.
Enhanced Focus Modes
- Set Focus profiles for work, travel, or sleep.
- Automatically filter messages, emails, and app notifications.
All these enhancements streamline how educators, business professionals, and creatives use iPads daily.
iPad Gaming: A Platform Growing Up
With iPadOS 26, Apple acknowledges gamers as a core audience. Features include:
- Dedicated Gaming Mode that prioritizes performance.
- Support for game streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce NOW.
- Game Center Redesign: A cleaner, modern layout with player stats and social integration.
Combined with Apple Arcade’s ever-expanding catalog and MetalFX technology, iPads can now rival handheld consoles.
Health App Comes to iPad
One of the most requested features, the Health app, is now available on iPad. With its spacious layout:
- View health trends and fitness goals more clearly.
- Share data with caregivers and medical professionals.
- Track medication, sleep, heart rate, and cycle tracking easily.
For families and educators, this is a huge win—especially with new parental health insights and school-based wellness monitoring integration.
Developer Tools & Performance Boosts
Apple hasn’t forgotten the developers. With iPadOS 26, coding and testing on iPad becomes more seamless:
- Swift Playgrounds 6 now supports Git integration and app deployment to TestFlight.
- Xcode Cloud lets developers build apps on iPadOS and test them across platforms.
- ARKit 6 allows more immersive, persistent AR experiences for education and design.
Meanwhile, battery and performance are stronger than ever:
- Smart background activity scheduling improves power efficiency.
- Adaptive refresh rate reduces battery usage while reading or watching videos.
Security, Privacy & Family Tools
Privacy remains a cornerstone of Apple’s platform. New additions in iPadOS 26 include:
- Per-app microphone and camera access logs.
- Enhanced Screen Time controls for managing child usage.
- Private browsing locks in Safari and Face ID gatekeeping for sensitive apps.
Teachers and parents will appreciate new Shared iPad for School options that include app whitelisting, focus limits, and learning analytics.
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Compatibility and Availability
Supported Devices:
- All iPads with A12 Bionic or later.
- Apple Intelligence and full multitasking features require A17 Pro, M1, M2, or M4 chips.
Release Timeline:
- Developer Beta: June 2025
- Public Beta: July 2025
- Official Release: Fall 2025 (likely in September alongside new iPads)
For educators and businesses, Apple has introduced new Mobile Device Management (MDM) hooks to ensure compatibility with institutional IT needs.
Getting Started: Install iPadOS 26 Beta
Follow these steps if you’re ready to explore the beta:
- Backup your iPad via iCloud or Finder.
- Enroll in Apple’s Beta Software Program.
- Download the beta profile.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install.
We recommend testing on a secondary device to avoid disruption.
FAQs
Q: Is iPadOS 26 stable enough for daily use?
A: The public beta is generally stable but may include bugs. Wait for the official release for mission-critical usage.
Q: Can I use AI features on any iPad?
A: No. Apple Intelligence requires iPads with A17 Pro or any Apple Silicon chip.
Q: Will my Apple Pencil work with iPadOS 26?
A: Yes. All Apple Pencil models are fully supported, with improvements in latency and gesture recognition.
Q: What if I don’t like the new design?
A: You can adjust or disable visual effects like motion, translucency, and color contrasts under Accessibility settings.
Q: How does the Health app handle privacy?
A: Health data is encrypted and processed locally unless explicitly shared with a doctor or app.
