iPadOS 26 brings menus, windows, and Exposé from macOS
At the WWDC 2025 conference, Apple has officially unveiled iPadOS 26, an update with new multitasking features, a redesigned interface, and advanced artificial intelligence capabilities.
Here's What We Know
The main innovation is a multi-window mode similar to macOS. Now application windows can be freely resized, minimised, grouped, or automatically arranged on the screen. The Exposé feature, familiar to Mac users, is back, allowing you to quickly view all your open windows on one screen. Thanks to Stage Manager, these windows can be organised into separate "scenes" and placed on different displays.
Another feature borrowed from macOS is the menu at the top of applications. It is activated by swiping down or hovering the cursor. There are also buttons for closing, minimising, and zooming windows.
The update also brought the Preview app to iPad - it now supports viewing and editing PDFs and images, and allows you to write and draw with the Apple Pencil.
Background tasks can now be displayed in Live Activities, which is useful for monitoring exports or uploading large files. The updated API will open up these features to developers.
The Files app has also undergone significant changes. There's a new view list with improved information display, and folders can be decorated with colours, icons, or emojis, and even moved to the Dock.
Other updates include a separate microphone selection for apps and websites, Voice Isolation to clean up sound, studio recording with supported AirPods, local video call recording, and a new Liquid Glass design with interchangeable transparent layers.
iPadOS 26 is already available in developer beta, with a public beta coming next month and the final version in autumn.
Compatible iPads with iPadOS 26
- iPad Pro (based on the M4 chip)
- iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd generation and later)
- iPad Pro 11" (1st generation and later)
- iPad Air (based on the M2 chip and later)
- iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
- iPad (based on the A16 chip)
- iPad (8th generation and later)
- iPad mini (based on the A17 Pro chip)
- iPad mini (5th generation and later)
Source: Apple
