iPadOS⁤ 26: Multitasking⁣ Revamp and macOS⁢ Features

⁣ Updated June 09, 2025

Apple’s iPadOS 26 is set to bring meaningful changes to the iPad experience, most ⁣notably with a complete rethinking of ⁤multitasking and ⁤the introduction of a “Liquid Glass” interface. The new interface,also featured in iOS 26,includes glass-like buttons and menu bars with reflections and shadows,adapted for the ⁣larger iPad displays.

Many of⁢ the features announced at ⁤WWDC 2025 for the iPhone platform are also making their⁢ way to the iPad. These include custom backgrounds and polls in Messages,along with an updated,more ‍user-amiable camera app. However, the⁢ most significant update is the multitasking overhaul, drawing inspiration from macOS to⁣ optimize the iPad’s touchscreen‍ controls.

The headlining change is a new windowing experience. Apps can now open in their own windows,complete with close,minimize,and resize buttons,similar to macOS. Unlike the Stage Manager feature introduced in iPadOS 16, the new multitasking system allows users to arrange windows ‍anywhere on their home screen.Minimizing apps ‍works just⁢ as it does on macOS, shrinking them into the app icon in the ⁢dock.

Additional macOS-like features include a menu bar revealed with a⁣ swipe at the top edge of the iPad (or connected external ‍monitor)⁢ and⁢ Exposé, which provides a rapid view of all open app windows. These enhancements aim to make the iPad, especially when paired with a Magic ⁤Keyboard, a more viable laptop replacement. The Files app has also been improved with a list view resembling the Finder app on macOS. Users can even customize folder‍ icons and colors, a ‍feature ⁢also coming to macOS‍ 26.

Further aligning with macOS, ⁣iPadOS ⁢26 will⁤ include the Mac’s Preview app, allowing users to open various document files,⁢ including images and PDFs.This addition will enable Apple Pencil users to sign documents directly on their iPads.

Beyond the macOS-inspired features, iPadOS 26 ‍introduces⁢ a “Live ⁤Activities” bar for background tasks like video exporting in Final Cut. It also includes advanced audio recording features, such as per-app microphone input selection and “Voice Isolation” to block background noise, ⁣catering ⁣to ⁢podcasters.The Journal ‍app is also⁢ finally making its way to the iPad. A new unified Games app will help users track updates ⁢and game invites. smaller app⁤ updates include 3D graphing in the calculator app and markdown formatting⁤ support ⁤in notes.

iPadOS 26 is⁢ currently available as a ⁤developer beta, with a ‍public ⁤beta ⁤planned for⁣ July, and the ⁤final release expected this fall.

What’s next

With the introduction of⁢ macOS-like multitasking and other enhancements, iPadOS 26 aims to provide a more versatile and⁤ user-friendly experience, blurring ⁤the lines between ⁢tablets and laptops.⁢ Users can anticipate ⁣a more ⁢seamless⁢ workflow ⁣and enhanced productivity with the new features.