After years of requests from users for a more powerful iPad software, Apple is at last rolling it out with iPadOS 26. In beta 2, the company continues to enhance the new Mac-like features that make not only the iPad Pro a superior laptop alternative, but virtually every iPad on the market.
To begin with, the significant change iPad users will observe with iPadOS 26 beta 2 is the refreshed Liquid Glass design aesthetic. With a more cohesive look across all of Apple’s different operating systems, transitioning between the Mac, the iPhone, and the iPad feels smoother than ever.
The key feature of iPadOS 26 that Apple is currently testing with beta 2 is the new windowing system, allowing users to have as many apps open simultaneously as they wish. This is particularly beneficial for power users juggling multiple tasks, as the company has finally enabled other activities to run in the background while you engage in different tasks.
Another significant modification is the substantial design overhaul coming to the Files app, allowing you to view everything in a list format and adjust columns, which are among the most sought-after features for this application.
The newly introduced Preview app lets you modify sketches, PDFs, and images within the Files app. A new Mac menu-inspired option is accessible to all iPad applications, enhancing the experience of utilizing this setup with a Magic Keyboard and aligning it more closely with Apple’s computers.
iPadOS 26 beta 2 continues to refine Apple Intelligence features, as the company incorporates Live Translation, in-depth integration with ChatGPT through Image Playground and on-screen awareness, enhanced Genmoji capabilities, and an AI-enhanced Shortcuts app.
Alongside beta 2 of iPadOS 26, Apple is also releasing the second testing versions of iOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.
