iPadOS 26: Is this the year the iPad becomes a true laptop rival? 💡

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Every year, Apple claims the iPad is ready to replace your laptop. With iPadOS 26, that promise feels more tangible than ever. The new naming scheme aligns the iPad with iOS 26, but the real story is a set of features that push the tablet closer to a full-blown computer. Is this a simple update, or a true turning point? Let’s dive into what really matters in iPadOS 26.

Naming gets streamlined: iPadOS 26 enters the iOS era 🔄

Apple is finally bringing its platforms in sync: iPadOS 26 launches alongside iOS 26, macOS 26, and the rest. This unified approach makes the ecosystem easier to navigate and signals a fresh start for every Apple device.

© Apple

Most of the big iOS 26 features—Liquid Glass design, Apple Intelligence, live translation, new apps like Journal, and smarter messaging—are also coming to iPadOS 26. For a deep dive into those shared updates, check out our dedicated article.

Mac-style multitasking: the iPad grows up 🖥️

The headline act for iPadOS 26 is a multitasking experience that finally feels desktop-worthy. Forget basic Split View or Slide Over—now you get true windowing, inspired by macOS and reminiscent of what Samsung’s DeX and Microsoft’s Surface Pro have offered for years.

• Resizable windows, close/minimize buttons, and a Mac-like menu bar that appears with a swipe or when you move the pointer to the top.

© Apple

• Exposé is here too, letting you see all your open apps at a glance.

© Apple

• Stage Manager has been upgraded and is now available on all compatible iPads, not just M1 models and up.
• You can group, move, and manage windows—even on external displays—for an experience that’s closer than ever to a real desktop.

© Apple

With these tools, the iPad is now a legitimate challenger to the Surface Pro and finally lives up to its productivity potential.

Files app and default apps: the iPad gets organized 🗂️

The Files app, long a weak spot, gets a major overhaul.

• There’s now a List View with resizable columns, collapsible folders, and easy navigation between subfolders—think Mac Finder, but on your iPad.
• More customization: colors, icons, and emoji sync across all your Apple devices.
• You can drag folders into the Dock for instant access, no matter where you are in iPadOS.
• For the first time, you can set default apps for file types—a huge win for pro workflows.

© Apple

Bonus: Preview comes to iPad, bringing PDF editing, image markup, and more—finally.

Audio and video controls get a serious upgrade 🎙️

iPadOS 26 isn’t just about productivity; it’s a creative powerhouse too.

• Choose which mic each app or website uses—perfect for podcasters and video creators.
• Voice Isolation cuts background noise for crisp recordings.
• Local audio and video capture during calls, with easy file sharing.
• Studio-quality audio for recent AirPods, plus echo cancellation for video calls.

The iPad is now a legitimate mobile studio for demanding creators.

Compatibility and release: who gets iPadOS 26? 📅

iPadOS 26 will roll out this fall, with a public beta in July. Here’s the compatibility list :

• iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9″ (3rd gen and up), iPad Pro 11″ (1st gen and up)
• iPad Air (M2 and up), iPad Air (3rd gen and up)
• iPad (A16), iPad (8th gen and up)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad mini (5th gen and up)

Note: The 7th-gen iPad is stuck on iPadOS 18. For everyone else, the update is free.

Is the iPad finally ready to replace your laptop?  🚀

With iPadOS 26, Apple is making its boldest play yet: a multitasking system that rivals the Mac, a Files app that actually works, and creative controls that raise the bar. The iPad is closer than ever to being a true laptop replacement—but will it be enough to win over the most demanding users, or will the Mac remain king for power tasks?

What do you think—does iPadOS 26 finally make the iPad a real laptop alternative? What features are you most excited about? Join the conversation below!