Explore these 10 ingenious iPadOS 26 features and shortcuts upon the release of the public beta:
Apple's latest operating system update for the iPad, iPadOS 26, unveiled at WWDC 2025, promises to bring a more Mac-like experience to the tablet while preserving its unique tablet strengths.
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a macOS-style Menu Bar, accessible by swiping down from the top in any active app. This menu bar shows dynamic menus relevant to the app, such as File, Edit, View, and others, enhancing app control and navigation.
The update also introduces Windowed Apps mode, allowing users to arrange and resize multiple app windows in a single workspace, similar to a Mac desktop. This feature significantly improves multitasking and window management.
To further bridge the gap between iPad and Mac file handling, the Files app has been enhanced with new management features.
In addition to these improvements, iPadOS 26 introduces several new built-in apps, including Phone, Preview, Games, and Journal. The Journal app acts as a personal digital diary, accepting various forms of content such as texts, audio recordings, photos, videos, locations, music, and news articles.
The Preview app, now available on the iPad, allows direct editing and markup of PDF files and images. It supports touch, stylus, or keyboard input for a versatile experience.
The update also introduces a Local Capture system for high-resolution video recording directly within any app. This feature is particularly beneficial for creators and professionals using the iPad for media tasks.
Apple has also extended the transparent look across the control center, app icons, widgets, and even the edges of windows in iPadOS 26. Users can colour-code icons, paste emojis over folders, and drag folders into the dock for easy access.
The Notes app in iPadOS 26 now allows importing and exporting notes as Markdown files, and supports creating modeling graphs based on mathematical equations. The Phone app on iPadOS 26 now includes live translation, hold assist, and call recording, features previously only available on iPhone.
iPadOS 26 features a Liquid Glass design approach, with adjustable light and dark presets. The update also includes a new list view for the Files app, providing a better content overview without opening files.
Perhaps most notably, the update introduces AI in the Shortcuts app, bringing intelligent actions to the table. This feature will undoubtedly streamline workflows and increase productivity for many users.
Overall, iPadOS 26 pushes the iPad further into Mac territory with advanced multitasking, windowing, and UI improvements while maintaining the iPad’s touch-first versatility. These changes mark Apple's biggest step yet in blurring the lines between tablet and desktop on the iPad platform.
The introduction of a macOS-style Menu Bar and Windowed Apps mode in iPadOS 26 indicates a strong emphasis on technology to bridge the gap between the iPad and Mac. The Journal app, a new built-in app, exemplifies the utilization of advanced technology, accepting various content types to function as a personal digital diary.
