Meet iPadOS 26: Apple's 'Biggest Update Ever' Brings Smart AI, Floating Windows & Pro Tools

WWDC25: Apple has lifted the curtains on iPadOS 26, describing it as its most powerful iPad update yet. The latest operating system brings a complete visual overhaul, groundbreaking multitasking tools, deeper AI integration, and pro-grade features for content creators — all designed to expand what users can do on iPad.
“This is our biggest iPadOS release ever,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “With a beautiful new design, an entirely new powerful and intuitive windowing system, even more features powered by Apple Intelligence, huge improvements to working with files, and new capabilities for creatives to power their workflows, iPadOS 26 makes our most versatile device even more capable.”
<h3 data-start=”841″ data-end=”882″>A Dynamic New Look That Reacts to You</h3>
At the heart of the redesign is Liquid Glass, a new UI element that adds translucent, fluid visuals across the system. It animates the Lock Screen, Control Center, and Home Screen in real time, reflecting both your environment and input. Icons now adapt to light and dark modes with lively tints, while app interfaces like Mail, Safari, and Apple TV sport more intuitive controls and navigation.
The updated Lock Screen brings a deeper sense of personalisation, while the reimagined Home Screen introduces animated app icons and customizable layouts. It’s a significant aesthetic leap that still retains the familiar iPadOS flow.
<h3 data-start=”1520″ data-end=”1572″>Smarter Multitasking With a New Windowing System</h3>
One of the standout additions in iPadOS 26 is a completely redesigned windowing system. Users can now fluidly resize app windows, move them freely, and even tile them with a flick — all tailored to the iPad’s touch-first experience.
Features like Exposé allow users to quickly glance at all open windows, while an improved Stage Manager enhances productivity with multi-window grouping. A new menu bar lets users access app commands with a swipe or cursor hover, and developers can customise it for their apps.
<h3 data-start=”2103″ data-end=”2144″>Apple Intelligence Gets More Personal</h3>
iPadOS 26 deepens the integration of Apple Intelligence, Apple’s privacy-forward AI framework. Features like Live Translation work seamlessly in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, offering real-time language translation — even in group chats.
New creative tools allow users to generate custom emoji using Genmoji, or craft personalised visuals in Image Playground, including stylised images through ChatGPT. Users can even describe a scene and let AI render it, thanks to a new “Any Style” feature.
Shortcuts also gets a major AI boost. Users can now build workflows that summarise text, generate visuals, or compare audio and written content using Apple Intelligence models — particularly helpful for students and professionals.
<h3 data-start=”2895″ data-end=”2956″>Supercharged for Pros: Files, Audio, and Background Tasks</h3>
The Files app now supports collapsible folders, custom icons and emojis, and improved List Views. Users can drag frequently used folders into the Dock or assign default apps for specific file types.
Preview, the macOS staple, finally arrives on iPad. It allows users to view, edit, and markup PDFs and images using Apple Pencil or touch, and includes AutoFill for form-filling.
For creators, Background Tasks can now run high-intensity processes with real-time tracking via Live Activities. Audio upgrades include per-app and per-site mic selection, Voice Isolation, and studio-quality recording with newer AirPods. Local capture also allows pro-level video conferencing recordings right from the iPad.
<h3 data-start=”3692″ data-end=”3734″>More Ways to Create, Connect, and Play</h3>
iPadOS 26 brings the Journal app to iPad, supporting multimedia entries and a new map view. Apple Games app provides a hub for gamers, while Game Overlay lets players tweak settings or chat mid-game.
Messages gains Polls, custom conversation backgrounds, and Apple Cash integration, while the Phone app comes to iPad with features like Hold Assist and Call Screening.
Other additions include a 3D graphing Calculator, markdown export in Notes, and robust accessibility upgrades like Braille Access and Accessibility Reader.
With iPadOS 26, Apple is clearly aiming to make the iPad not just a companion device — but a serious workstation, creativity suite, and intelligent assistant all in one.