Apple releases iPadOS 26 with new design, windowing system and Apple Intelligence upgrades
Tom Sykes
Posted On 15/09/2025 
Apple has released iPadOS 26, calling it the biggest iPad software update yet.
The update delivers a complete redesign, an all-new windowing system for multitasking, deeper Apple Intelligence features, and new apps including Preview and Journal.
The interface adopts Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” look, adding translucent, dynamic elements across the Lock Screen, Control Center and app icons. Users can personalise the Home Screen with new tints, dark and light styles, and an elegant clear look.
Image: Apple
For the first time, iPadOS supports resizable windows that can be freely positioned, tiled or grouped with Stage Manager. A new Exposé view shows all open apps at once, while a menu bar brings quick access to app commands and tips.
Apple’s on-device intelligence expands with Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime and Phone, plus creative tools such as Genmoji and Image Playground. Shortcuts can now use Apple Intelligence to summarise text, generate images and automate tasks.
The Files app gains a new List view with resizable columns, folder customisation and the ability to drag folders into the Dock.
Preview comes to iPad for the first time, letting users view, mark up and fill PDFs, or create sketches with Apple Pencil.
Image: Apple
Background Tasks allow apps to run longer processes with Live Activities showing progress. Audio tools now support flexible input selection, voice isolation and local capture for higher-quality recordings.
Journal debuts on iPad, supporting multimedia entries with maps and handwriting. The new Apple Games app adds Game Overlay, showing updates, controls and chat without leaving a game.
Messages introduces backgrounds, polls and richer group chat tools, while the Phone app arrives on iPad with Hold Assist and Call Screening.
Calculator now supports 3D graphing, Notes gains markdown export and transcription, and new accessibility features include Accessibility Reader, Braille Access and shared accessibility settings.
iPadOS 26 is available now as a free update for supported iPad models.
