Apple on Monday previewed iPadOS 26, its upcoming new operating system for the iPad. The new version brings a new Liquid Glass design, a new windowing system, and more.
New Design
A new Liquid Glass design brings a new experience to iPad users, whil emaintaining the familiarity of previous versions of iPadOS. Liquid Glass is a translucent new material that reflects and refracts its surroundings, while reacting to user input and dynamically transforming. Users can now personalize thier Home Screen with updated app icons, that can be viewed in light or dark appearances, colorful new light and dark tints, as well as a new clear look.
New Windowing System
iPadOS 26 introduces the ability to control, organize, and switch between app windows. The new windowing system lets users fluidly resize app windows, place them exactly where they want, and open more windows. Familiar Mac-like window controls allow users to seamlessly close, minimize, resize, or tile their windows. Apps open in the exact same size and position when they were prevously in when they are opened again.
Exposé allows users to quickly view all their open windows spread out, helping them easily switch to the one they need. The new windowing system works with Stage Manager, as well as with an external display.
A new menu bar lets users access the commands available in an app with a simple swipe down from the top of the display, or by moving their cursor to the top. Users can quickly find a specific feature or related tips in an app by using search in the menu bar. Developers can also customize the menu bar in their own apps.
New Apple Intelligence-Powered Features
New Apple Intelligence-powered features include Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime, and Messages, which enables iPad users to easily communicate across languages. In Messages, incoming texts — including group messages — are automatically translated into the user’s preferred language. FaceTime users can read translated live captions while still hearing the speaker’s voice. The translation is spoken aloud throughout Phone conversations.
There are new ways to create Genmoji, including the ability to start with existing emoji and descriptions, modifying personal attributes and selecting expressions. Users can tap into brand-new styles in Image Playground with ChatGPT. Image Playground can now send a user’s description or photo to ChatGPT and create a unique image.
Shortcuts features new intelligent actions that allow users to create shortcuts that are more powerful than ever, including summarizing text with Writing Tools and creating images with Image Playground.
New Ways to Work with Files
iPadOS 26 introduces new ways to manage, access, and edit files, with an updated List view that allows users to see more of their document details in resizable columns and collapsible folders. Files also offers folder customization options, including custom colors, icons, and emoji that sync across devices. Users can now drag any folder from the Files app right into the Dock. Users can also set a default app for opening specific files or file types.
Preview App
The Preview finally comes to iPad, giving users a way to create a quick sketch; view, edit, and mark up PDFs and images with Apple Pencil or by touch. Users can access PDFs and images in the Files app directly from Preview, create an empty page, use Apple Pencil to draw and write on it, and use AutoFill to quickly fill out PDF forms.
Availability
iPadOS 26 is available for testing starting today through the Apple Developer Program, and a public beta will be available through the Apple Beta Software Program in July. iPadOS 26 will be available this fall as a free software update for iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (A16), iPad (8th generation and later), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad mini (5th generation and later). Apple Intelligence features require supported devices, which include all iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad and Mac models with M1 and later.
