For the past few years, many have wondered when iPadOS would have the same capabilities as macOS. Some said it would never happen because Apple did not want the iPad to compete directly with Mac computers. This morning iPadOS 26 was officially announced with it finally having several features similar to macOS.
First of all, all apps can be opened in their own floating windows like in macOS. Users can still use the full screen view as before, only in the lower right corner there is a tab that allows the screen window to be resized and then this window can be placed anywhere just like on the desktop. What is more interesting is that iPadOS 26 remembers the size of the opened application window.
When connected to a keyboard and trackpad, the on-screen cursor is now more precise. When the cursor is hovered over the application button, it will open several options like in macOS. A menu bar will also be displayed at the top borrowed from macOS.
Background Tasks
The feature I am most excited about is Background Tasks which finally allows applications that are not open to continue working in the background. For example, I can process a video in CapCut and while waiting to open YouTube to kill time. During this time, applications that are not open will be frozen by iPadOS.
To see all open applications, perform a scrolling gesture up from the bottom to open Exposé with all open applications displayed simultaneously, similar to Mission Control in macOS. The interface and icon design have also been changed to look like glass in line with the Liquid Glass concept announced this morning.
Exposé
The Files application has also been enhanced with color customization for each folder. Users are also given the option to choose the default application to open certain files. For example, you want images to always open using Photoshop instead of Photos. Press the application icon and select the default application for this file format directly. Folders can also be placed directly in the Dock in iPadOS 26 for faster access.
Calculator can also do 3D graphs using Math Notes, making this the first time this can be done on an iPad. Not to mention the Preview application is also finally on the iPad to make it easier to edit PDFs.
As in iOS 26, there is a Live Translation feature that produces subtitles or changes text received in FaceTime phone calls, and Messages. As well as controlling the camera with AirPods, Apple Music lyrics now come with translation and Apple Maps remembers locations you've visited.
Here are the iPad models that will receive iPadOS 26.
iPad Pro (M4)
iPad Pro 12.9″ (3rd Gen and later)
iPad Pro 11″ (All)
iPad Air (M3)
iPad Air (M2)
iPad Air (3rd Gen and later)
iPad (A16)
iPad (8th Gen and later)
iPad mini (A17 Pro)
iPad mini (5th Gen and later)