Apple has officially unveiled iPadOS 27, bringing Siri AI, new Apple Intelligence features, enhanced productivity tools, improved parental controls, and performance upgrades across the iPad lineup. The update launches later this year and will be available on a wide range of iPad models, including iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, and iPad.
The headline feature is Siri AI, Apple’s completely rebuilt assistant powered by Apple Intelligence. Siri can now hold natural conversations, understand personal context, answer questions using information from the web, and perform actions across apps. Users can ask Siri to find information buried in emails, notes, messages, and photos, while also carrying on more natural back-and-forth conversations.
Apple is also introducing a dedicated Siri app on iPad. The new app keeps conversations synced across devices, allowing users to start a conversation on iPhone, Mac, or Apple Watch and continue it on iPad. Conversations can also be pinned for quick access.
One of the biggest iPad-specific additions is Visual Intelligence. Users can take a screenshot, tap an object with their finger, or circle it using Apple Pencil to ask Siri questions, search for related information, or perform actions based on content displayed on screen.
Apple Intelligence is becoming more deeply integrated into iPad apps. The Notes app can now work directly with Siri AI, allowing users to organize notes, convert bullet points into structured agendas, and even transform handwritten notes into study guides and other formatted content.
Safari gains several AI-powered enhancements, including automatic tab organization and a new Notify Me feature that can monitor webpages for changes such as product restocks, availability updates, and price drops.
The Passwords app is becoming smarter too. Building on its existing security recommendations, Passwords can now automatically update supported accounts with stronger passwords when weak or compromised credentials are detected.
The Photos app receives the same advanced editing tools arriving across Apple’s platforms. Spatial Reframing lets users adjust the perspective of a photo after it has been taken, while the new Extend tool can expand images beyond their original boundaries. Apple has also improved the Clean Up tool for removing unwanted objects with more realistic results.
Image Playground is receiving a major upgrade with support for photorealistic image generation and more advanced editing capabilities, allowing users to create and modify images simply by describing what they want.
Messages and Mail gain contextual suggestions that can create reminders, add calendar events, search for photos, and perform other actions based on the contents of conversations. Meanwhile, the Shortcuts app gains Describe a Shortcut, allowing users to create automations simply by describing what they want in natural language.
Apple is also expanding its child safety tools. New features include Ask to Browse for website approvals, redesigned parental controls, Time Allowances for app categories, expanded Communication Safety protections, and easier management of child accounts.
The Liquid Glass design introduced last year is being refined with improved contrast, sharper app icons, better readability, and a new customization slider that lets users choose how transparent or tinted the interface appears.
Performance is another area of focus. Apple says file browsing and transfers to external drives can be up to five times faster, while app launches, AirDrop transfers, and other everyday tasks should feel noticeably more responsive.
Other additions include AirPods Custom EQ controls, AI-powered Home app enhancements, improved iCloud Shared Albums, new slideshow creation tools in Photos, enhanced Flyover imagery in Maps, richer accessibility features, faster Messages syncing across devices, and natural language event creation in Calendar.
iPadOS 27 will be released later this year for compatible iPad models, while Siri AI will enter beta in English later this year on supported Apple Intelligence devices.
