Apple has officially unveiled iPadOS 26, and it’s being called the biggest update to the iPad experience yet. With a fresh new look, smarter multitasking, and deeper integration of Apple’s AI, this update isn’t just about adding features, it’s about reimagining what the iPad can do. Whether you’re a student, a creative professional, or just someone who loves using their iPad every day, there’s something in iPadOS 26 for you.
A Gorgeous New Look with Liquid Glass
The first thing you’ll notice? The stunning new design. Apple is introducing something called Liquid Glass, a sleek, semi-transparent interface that reacts to your touch and surroundings. It makes everything on your screen feel more alive and dynamic. The Home Screen is also more personal than ever, with colourful themes, animated app icons, and a smooth light/dark mode transition that just feels natural.
iPadOS 26
Full cursor
Fully resizable and movable windows
Menubar
A dock with folders
Preview app
What is a computer pic.twitter.com/Kic3nCZQHF— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) June 9, 2025
Multitasking, Reimagined
iPadOS 26 makes working with multiple apps feel effortless. You can now resize and place windows wherever you want on the screen, no more being locked into one layout. If you’re juggling a bunch of apps, the new Exposé view lets you see everything you’ve got open at once. And for those who like extra organisation, Stage Manager and external display support are now more powerful and easier to use than ever.
Smarter Features with Apple Intelligence
Apple’s AI, known as Apple Intelligence, is more deeply woven into the iPad experience in this update. Need to translate a message or FaceTime conversation in real-time? Done. Want to create a fun emoji that actually looks like you? Go wild with Genmoji. You can even use AI to summarise notes or compare your class notes with lecture audio using Shortcuts. It’s like having your own smart assistant built right into your iPad.
File Management That Actually Makes Sense
The Files app is getting a big upgrade too. Now, you can customise folders with colours, icons, and emojis, collapse folders for a cleaner view, and drag your favourite folders straight into the Dock for quick access. Plus, you can finally choose which app opens specific file types by default. It’s the kind of update that just makes everyday tasks easier.
Preview App & Background Tasks
Apple’s Preview app, something Mac users have had for years, is finally coming to iPad. You can view, edit, and annotate PDFs with Apple Pencil or just your fingers. And for creatives or anyone doing intensive tasks like video editing, Background Tasks now let you keep working while processes like rendering or exporting happen behind the scenes.
Who’s Getting the Update?
If you’re using one of these models, you’re in luck:
- iPad Pro (M4 or later)
- iPad Pro 12.9″ (3rd gen+)
- iPad Pro 11″ (1st gen+)
- iPad Air (M2 or newer)
- iPad Mini (5th gen+)
- iPad (8th gen+)