Apple is set to revolutionize the tablet experience with the upcoming iPadOS 26, which was previewed at WWDC 2025. This latest software update is being hailed as the most significant enhancement yet, designed to supercharge your iPad productivity. Users can finally enjoy the flexibility of dynamically resizing app windows, a much-anticipated feature that brings the iPad closer to a desktop-like experience.
The new windowing system in iPadOS 26 allows for seamless multitasking, enabling users to close, minimize, resize, or tile their windows effortlessly. Unlike the previous version of Stage Manager, where resizing options were limited, the latest update gives users the freedom to drag a handle on the lower right corner of the window to any size they desire. Additionally, a simple flick can tile all your windows toward the edges of the screen, with long-pressing revealing more tiling options. When you reopen an app, it will remember your last window positions, further enhancing productivity.
Another exciting feature being added is Exposé, which has made its way from Apple's desktop environment to the iPad. This feature presents open windows in a tiled array, making it significantly easier to navigate between applications. Moreover, long-running tasks, such as exports, can continue operating in the background and will display as live activities, ensuring that important processes are not interrupted.
The introduction of a menu bar on the iPad marks a significant shift in usability. Mirroring the Mac experience, the menu bar provides familiar entries such as File, Edit, View, Window, Format, Arrange, and Help. Users can now access the menu bar either by swiping down from the top when using touch controls or by clicking with a cursor when using a trackpad or mouse. This addition enhances the overall user experience, making the iPad feel even more like a desktop.
The Preview app is also making its debut in iPadOS 26, allowing users to view and edit PDFs with ease. With the Apple Pencil or touch, users can mark up documents, and the AutoFill feature simplifies filling out PDF forms without the need for third-party applications. Furthermore, the Files app has received an update, featuring an improved List view that displays additional information about documents, including resizable columns and collapsible folders. Users can also select default apps for specific file types, such as editing photos with applications like Photoshop, Darkroom, or Pixelmator.
The productivity enhancements in iPadOS 26 are not limited to just the iPad Pro and Air; even entry-level models and the iPad mini will benefit from these updates. This overhaul comes after years of subtle improvements that aimed to enhance the user experience. From the introduction of physical keyboard support 15 years ago to the addition of trackpad support and a context menu for window management in previous iPadOS versions, Apple is finally responding to power users' demands for a more professional-grade operating system.
Wrapped in a stunning Liquid Glass redesign, iPadOS 26 showcases translucent effects and rounder icons that align with the device's design. This aesthetic transformation is inspired by the software developed for Apple’s mixed reality headset. The new naming convention for Apple’s software is also noteworthy; moving forward, all software will carry the year number, simplifying the versioning system and eliminating confusion.
In addition to the major updates, iPadOS 26 includes a dedicated Games app, the new Phone app for making and receiving calls directly from your tablet, and an audio input selector that allows users to choose different microphones for various applications. New Apple Intelligence features, including live translation capabilities, are also set to be part of this comprehensive update.
The first developer beta of iPadOS 26 is now available, with public betas expected to follow in July. The final version is anticipated to be released this fall, likely around September. With these remarkable updates, Apple is poised to enhance the productivity capabilities of the iPad, making it an even more essential tool for users.
