As expected, today, at WWDC 2025, Apple announced iOS 26 and other operating systems that now carry the 26 version number (for simplicity). iPadOS is also part of the big redesign, and it is now official with the new Liquid Glass design, improved window controls, a Mac-like menu bar, file management enhancements, and more.
In addition to the general Liquid Glass redesign, which is now present across all of Apple's operating systems, iPadOS 26 received several iPad-exclusive upgrades. It now has a reworked windowing system that helps you organize and switch between apps. You can finally place and resize apps exactly how you want. Plus, iPadOS now has familiar window controls: three buttons for closing, minimizing, and resizing your app. Straight from macOS.
Apps can now remember their previous size and position, and Expose can show you all open windows. Finally, iPadOS now has a menu bar, which is another thing that comes from macOS. It gives access to common actions, commands, and features. Developers can customize the menu bar in their apps and specify what features are available there.
Apple is also upgrading the Files app with a reworked List view, which now shows more details about your files and the ability to expand or collapse folders. Plus, you can customize folders with colors and emojis, pin folders to the dock, and set default apps for file types. When working with long-running processes, background tasks show up as live activities, so that you can track Final Cut exports or the Files app moving stuff around.
Other changes in iPadOS 26 include improved audio controls and the ability to select audio input source and record audio with voice isolation. The Journal app is now available on the iPad, Notes received markdown support, and Calculator now supports 3D graphing capabilities. You can learn more about iPadOS 26 in the official announcement post here.
2 Comments - Add comment