Apple has announced a new operating system for its tablets , iPadOS 26, calling it "the biggest update to iPadOS ever." The upgrade includes a new Liquid Glass design, improved windowing, expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, improved file management, and new audio and video recording features.
One of the key innovations is the updated window arrangement, which allows users to view all open windows at once and intuitively arrange them in a mosaic. This feature is compatible with Stage Manager, and now there is the ability to organize the workspace on an external display.
Users who use iPad for work or school will get folders, Preview, and improved file management. Preview makes it easier to edit PDFs, and the Files app lets you drag folders to the Dock and set default apps to open specific file types.
iPadOS 26 also gets expanded support for Apple Intelligence. In particular, the “Live Translation” feature will appear in the “Messages”, “FaceTime” and “Phone” applications. In the “Messages” application, incoming texts, including group ones, will be automatically translated into the desired language. In FaceTime, the user will be able to follow the translated subtitles while continuing to hear the voice of the interlocutor, and during a phone conversation, voice translation will be automatically generated throughout the conversation.
For content creators, iPadOS 26 adds the ability to perform complex tasks in the background, such as exporting video from Final Cut Pro. In addition, users will be able to select audio and video inputs for different applications, and the voice isolation feature will improve recording quality.
The innovations also include:
- a preview feature where users can create quick sketches and notes on PDFs and images;
- new ways to create and edit Genmoji;
- new interaction capabilities between Image Playground and ChatGPT;
- new intelligent actions have been implemented in Shortcuts;
- Local capture feature that creates high-quality recordings from iPad using any video conferencing app;
- new Journal, Games and other innovations.
iPadOS 26 is expected to be available in the fall, along with iOS 26 and watchOS 26.