Apple has announced the new iPadOS 26 update with Liquid Glass and a huge change to multitasking.
iPadOS 26 Focuses on New Liquid Glass Redesign, Multitasking and Overall Usability
Just like iOS 26, the new iPadOS 26 has pretty much all the changes from iPhone, but it goes further when it comes to multitasking. But I’m going to touch on Liquid Glass first.
Changes to Lock Screen
Liquid Glass makes everything look transparent and modern. On the lock screen, you can have 3D, Spatial Photos as your wallpaper, and the clock extends way beyond you usually know it to be.
This change goes to the Home Screen as well, allowing you to play around with Liquid Glass and even set the app icons to be completely transparent.
Multitasking Gets a Big Upgrade
As someone who has too many thoughts regarding Stage Manager, the multitasking changes in iPadOS 26 are big. Unlike Stage Manager, you can resize and put windows exactly where you want. This is truly the change I’ve been asking for in iPadOS, and it’s finally here.
There’s even Exposé, allowing you to see all your open windows at a glance.
Apple says this system works great on an external display, and I’m inclined to believe it.
Menu Bar Comes to iPadOS 26
Remember the menu bar from the Mac? It’s now on iPadOS. Just swipe down from the top of the display, and you’ll see it immediately. With Files, Edit, Insert, all similar functions are laid out for use.
Files App Gets Better
There’s a new List view in Files app, allowing you to see more details of the Files that are stored on your device and in iCloud.
The most interesting feature in Files is how you can just drag a file from the Files app and place it in the Dock for easier access later.
Preview App, Now on iPad
Just like the Mac, the Preview app is now on iPad. What this means is, you can quickly sketch things on the fly, view, edit or markup PDFs and images.
Apple has kept things very simple here. But the basic essence of Preview is there.
Journal Comes to iPad
The one that deserved to be on iPad than anywhere else is Journal. It’s finally on iPad, and since it takes advantage of the bigger screen, you get to see and create more at the same time.
Games App Arrives on iPad
Whether you’re exploring games, seeing what friends are playing, or even challenging them, the Games app is your one-stop shop for all things gaming.
Calculator Now Does 3D
Apple has updated the Calculator app with 3D graphing capabilities in Math Notes. Just throw in your equation, and the Calculator will create a 3D graph out of it.
Compatibility
iPadOS 26 is compatible with a lot of iPads, and you’ll find the complete list by going this link.
Download iPadOS 26 Developer Beta
Interested in taking iPadOS 26 for a spin? The developer beta is available right now, and you’ll find all the details here.
