Apple has launched iPadOS 26.1, the newest significant software update for iPad. Here’s a rundown of what’s new.
### New Features in iPadOS 26.1 Include the Return of Slide Over
iPadOS 26.1 reintroduces an important multitasking capability that was taken out in iPadOS 26.0.
Slide Over makes its comeback. Now offered alongside the current windowing system, you can set an app’s window as your ‘Slide Over’ window. Simply select the ‘Enter Slide Over’ option concealed behind the green traffic light window control.
Your Slide Over window can be conveniently concealed and retrieved when necessary. Pressing the shortcut ‘Globe key + ’ on a physical keyboard quickly shows or hides it.
The primary benefit of Slide Over is its ability to remain above all other windows, allowing you to engage with any other app while keeping Slide Over visible.
In iPadOS 18, Slide Over allowed the addition of multiple apps in a single stack for straightforward switching. This feature is no longer available, as users are now restricted to a single app at any moment. However, the Slide Over window can now be adjusted to your exact specifications—a capability that wasn’t possible previously.
In addition to the return of Slide Over, iPadOS 26.1 comes with these new features:
– Liquid Glass introduces an optional new ‘Tinted’ setting to enhance opacity
– Music allows you to swipe on the MiniPlayer to switch tracks
– Apple Intelligence broadens to eight additional languages
– Local Capture now provides extra settings for audio/video recordings
– Photos features an upgraded playback scrubber for videos
– Plus several minor UI and feature modifications
From my beta testing, iPadOS 26.1 also operates more smoothly than 26.0 due to various bug fixes and performance enhancements.
You can download and install iPadOS 26.1 by navigating to Settings ⇾ General ⇾ Software Update on any iPad compatible with iPadOS 26. A comprehensive list of supported iPad models is available here.
Which new iPadOS 26.1 features excite you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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