Given the iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe updates, it’s no surprise that iPadOS 26 is also getting its own makeover. But Apple is calling this update “the biggest iPadOS release ever,” and we don’t think it’s just a PR ploy.
Updates in iPadOS 26 include a new liquid glass design, a new windowing system, Apple Intelligence features, improved file management with Preview, and audio/video recording features for creatives. Overall, iPadOS 26 makes the iPad feel more like a combination of an iPhone and a Mac, rather than one giant iPhone.
People who use the iPad for work or school may be relieved to hear that the iPad is finally getting its own version of folders, a Preview app, and a more intuitive window display that will make it easier to use the iPad like a Mac. Preview makes it easier to edit and mark up PDFs, and the Files app now allows users to drag and drop any folder into the Dock or set a default app to open certain file types.
With the new window controls, you can see all your open windows at once and then intuitively manage them in multitasking mode. These window controls are also compatible with Stage Manager, which allows users to organize windows into specific stages or work on multiple screens.
In addition, iPadOS 26 will be enhanced with Apple Intelligence features, including Live Translation in phones, FaceTime and Messages, which allows you to follow a conversation with automatically generated translation while hearing the voice of the person you’re talking to.
The iPadOS updates also include a number of creator-friendly features. Now, iPad can perform computationally intensive tasks, such as exporting video from Final Cut Pro, in the background without distractions.
When it comes to recording audio and video, iPad now lets users choose custom audio and video inputs for different apps and websites. You can also use the voice isolation features to get clearer sound, and Apple claims that using AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 2 will produce “studio-quality” recordings.
Podcasters will be especially interested in the local capture feature. In any video conferencing application, users can create and share audio and video recordings that utilize the echo cancellation of other participants’ audio. If this feature can also properly capture and stitch together other users’ audio and video files, then the iPad could be a Riverside killer.
