iPadOS 26 release date: Apple reveals when you'll unlock game-changing new features and Liquid Glass redesign

Missed the initial announcement about iPadOS? Here's everything you need to know about the new update.

The first thing you'll notice is the new look — Liquid Glass. This new design language replaces the straight lines and block colours found in earlier iterations of the operating system and replaces them with a frosted glass-like translucency, lifelike twinkles and reflections that react to the movement of the device in your hand, and curved menus that mirror the corners on Apple devices.

Alongside Light and Dark modes that iPad owners will already be familiar with, this new update adds a new clear look that strips the colour from app icons for a sleek, see-through appearance across the operating system.

Control Centre settings and Widgets also adopt this glass-like design, with your wallpaper still visible through these tools. This new design is visible across Apple's portfolio of iPad apps, including Mail, Safari, Apple TV, and Apple Music, to name just a few.

Aside from the new glass-like appearance, iPadOS also features a powerful new multi-tasking system that'll be instantly familiar to anyone who has used an Apple MacBook. iPad apps can be freely resized, minimised, closed, or opened into fullscreen windows. With a keyboard accessory attached, you'll even be able to use the same keyboard shortcuts that you've been using for decades on Mac.

Apple has added a menu bar to iPad apps, which is accessible with a swipe down from the top of the screen. It includes features and options sorted under File, Edit, View... just like on macOS.

You can also take advantage of Window Tiling, which allows you to arrange open windows side-by-side, in thirds, or quarters to customise how you view your screen. To get a quick overview of all open windows, you can swipe up to view them all simultaneously.

In terms of managing your files, you'll now have access to a new, more robust Files app. This offers you a customisable list view, resizable columns, collapsible folders, colored and emoji-labelled folders, so you can be as organised as possible for any of your needs.

iPadOS also brings four brand-new apps — and some will be immediately familiar to Mac users. The full list includes:

• Phone | Yes, the Phone app from iPhone makes the leap to iPad with a brand-new design. With its unified interface you'll be able to make and receive calls, use the new Hold Assist feature so that AI waits on hold for you, Live Translation during voice and video calls, listen to voicemails, and more
  
• Preview | A staple of macOS, Preview is now available on iPad so you can read, edit, or annotate PDFs with the on-screen keyboard or an Apple Pencil
  
• Journal | Until recently, this Apple-designed app was exclusive to iPhone. Entries will be synced across devices, so you can start a journal entry on one device and finish it on another. Multimedia journal entries can include text, handwriting, drawings, audio, photos, and video. Data from other apps — like workout data from Apple's Fitness app can also be added
  
• Games | This new addition is a central hub that brings together App Store and Apple Arcade games, with new in-game events and challenges between your contacts available

iPadOS 26 will support most devices currently running iPadOS 18. Compatible models include:

• iPad Pro (M4),iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen+), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen+)
• iPad Air (M2), iPad Air (3rd gen+)
• iPad (A16), iPad (8th gen+)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad mini (5th gen+)

Apple Intelligence and app windowing features might be limited to certain iPads models. The update will officially be available to download on September 15.