Apple Unveils iPadOS 26: Biggest iPad Update Yet with Liquid Glass UI and Smarter Tools

At WWDC 2025, Apple introduced iPadOS 26, its most significant iPad update to date. The update brings a striking new Liquid Glass design, advanced AI features via Apple Intelligence, improved multitasking, and a host of creative tools.

Refreshed Design with Liquid Glass

iPadOS 26 introduces a stunning new aesthetic with Liquid Glass, a dynamic and translucent UI material that responds to surroundings and user interaction. It powers refreshed experiences on the Lock Screen, Control Center, and Home Screen, along with redesigned app icons that adapt to light and dark modes.

Smarter Multitasking

The update delivers a more powerful windowing system, letting users resize and freely arrange app windows. Switching between apps is now faster and more intuitive - while maintaining iPad's familiar simplicity.

Apple Intelligence and Live Translation

Apple Intelligence is more deeply integrated across iPadOS. Features like Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone allow real-time translation of texts, captions, and spoken conversations - all on-device for privacy.

Creative Tools and Genmoji

Users can now customize and create Genmoji, edit expressions, and generate unique styles using Image Playground. A new Preview app also debuts, supporting quick sketches and markup of PDFs and images with Apple Pencil.

Enhanced Audio and Communication

iPadOS 26 introduces microphone controls per app, Voice Isolation for clearer recordings, and studio-quality audio support with AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4. The Phone app finally comes to iPad, complete with Call Screening and Hold Assist.

Journal and Gaming Features

The Journal app makes its way to iPad, allowing users to capture daily memories with maps, media, and handwriting. A new Apple Games app serves as a hub for gamers, while Game Overlay enables quick access to settings and friend invites mid-game.

Smarter Messages

Messages gets conversation backgrounds, polls, improved group chat features, and redesigned conversation details for easier navigation.

Availability

All features are available now for developers via the Apple Developer Program, with a public beta next month at beta.apple.com. The final release comes this fall as a free update for:

• iPad Pro (M4 and later)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen and later)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen and later)
• iPad Air (3rd gen and later)
• iPad Air (M2)
• iPad (9th gen and later)

Via