Apple presented a variety of new functionalities at its yearly Worldwide Developers Conference, such as personalized wallpapers, adjustable emoji, a fresh design language referred to as Liquid Glass, and the macOS 26 update, “Tahoe.” Exciting advancements are also on the horizon for the iPad with iPadOS 26 this autumn.
“iPadOS 26 is our most significant iPadOS launch to date, showcasing powerful features that enhance the experience and revolutionize what users can achieve on iPad,” stated Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, in a press announcement. “Featuring a stunning new design, an intuitive window management system, enhanced capabilities driven by Apple Intelligence, better file management, and new tools for creatives, iPadOS 26 transforms our most adaptable device into an even more proficient one.”
What transformations await your iPad with iPadOS 26? It’s not merely a fresh appearance, even if that was the main highlight at WWDC 2025. Here’s all the information you need regarding the latest iPad updates revealed at Apple’s 2025 WWDC.
Did someone mention Windows?
If you were surprised by how much an Apple event discussed Windows, you’re not the only one. However, the topic kept resurfacing.
iPadOS 26 enables users to interact with app windows by resizing, dragging, placing, closing, minimizing, and tiling them. The new menu bar streamlines navigation through these windows.
Liquid Glass is a “Stunning New Design,” according to Apple
During WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled Liquid Glass, a fresh visual style that introduces more glass-like and translucent elements to your screen. Liquid Glass is among the largest redesigns in recent Apple history, and currently, the Mashable community seems to prefer the new aesthetic.
You can personalize the look of widgets and other display features, rendering them clear and generating the illusion of expanded space on the screen. This translucent style is present across iPadOS 26, iOS 26, and macOS 26.
Apple Intelligence on your iPad
Apple Intelligence is bringing Live Translation to your iPad in Phone, FaceTime, and Messages — just as it did for your iPhone. You can create new custom Genmoji thanks to Apple Intelligence. You can even use ChatGPT to generate new Contact Posters and various images for your Apple tablet.
Naturally, WWDC 2025 featured additional Apple Intelligence developments (though not as many as some Apple enthusiasts would have hoped).
Files gets an upgrade
As part of the new Liquid Glass customization features, your Files widget is receiving a redesign.
The newly enhanced Files app makes it more convenient for users to recognize folders, personalize folders with colors, icons, and emojis, and drag them onto the Dock in iPadOS 26.
Apps, both new and familiar
If you’re a fan of Preview on your MacBook, we have exciting news: The app is at last making its way to your iPad, facilitating easy markup of PDFs without needing a separate application. The calculator app is introducing 3D visuals to Math Notes, and users can now import and export notes from the Notes app into a markdown file.
When does iPadOS 26 launch?
In a footnote in the official press release, Apple simply states that the new iPad software features will be accessible “as a free software update” this fall. Assuming no additional iPad announcements occur later this year, iPadOS 26 will be available for these devices: iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen and later), iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad Air (3rd gen and later), iPad (A16), iPad (8th gen and later), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad mini (5th gen and later). However, features powered by Apple Intelligence will only be accessible on devices equipped with Apple’s M series silicon chips.