As reported earlier today, Apple unveiled iPadOS 26, which shapes up to be the most promising update to iPadOS in years by reimagining the iPad experience and making the iPad even more versatile.
iPadOS 26 is our biggest iPadOS release ever, with powerful features that take the experience to the next level and transform what users can do on iPad. 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.
-Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior VP of Software Engineering
iPadOS 26 brings several improvements like the intuitive window system, improved Files app, Preview app, background processes, and more.
iPadOS 26 will be compatible with these iPad models:
- iPad Pro (M4)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
- iPad Air (M3)
- iPad Air (M2)
- iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
- iPad (A16)
- iPad (8th generation and later)
- iPad mini (A17 Pro)
- iPad mini (5th generation and later)
If you own an iPad and want to know whether that will support iPadOS 26, you can identify the model name by going to Settings > General > Model Name.
Sad to say that iPadOS 26 will drop only one iPad, and that will be the iPad (7th generation), which debuted in September 2019 with the A10 Fusion chip.
iPadOS 26 is currently in developer beta, so we should expect a public beta sometime next month, and it will publicly be available to all users in the fall.
We’ll continue to post WWDC-related announcements from here on out, so make sure to our website or follow us on X (@appleosophy) to stay updated with the latest Apple news!
