# iPadOS 26 Public Beta: What’s New and Installation Guide
The public beta for iPadOS 26 is now available, providing iPad users with a feature-rich software update for those willing to explore. Here’s what’s new.
## How to Get the iPadOS 26 Public Beta
If you wish to receive early access to iPadOS 26, you can install the update by enrolling in Apple’s Beta Software Program. Sign up at [beta.apple.com](http://beta.apple.com) and then access the new software through the Settings app on your iPad.
The full launch of iPadOS 26 is expected in September. Therefore, installing the public beta may cause various bugs and performance issues on your device. Apple has several weeks left to improve the update before its official release this fall.
## New Features in iPadOS 26
### Revamped, Mac-style Windowing System
The app windowing experience in iPadOS 26 has undergone a significant transformation. Just as on the Mac, you can now resize and position windows anywhere on the screen as desired. There’s no requirement to switch to a special mode like Stage Manager. Every app launches in fullscreen by default, but you can resize them according to your preferences. The windows will maintain their size and shape upon relaunching the app.
In addition, iPadOS 26 incorporates Mac-style ‘traffic light’ controls located at the top-left of every window. These allow you to close, minimize, and tile windows easily. Exposé provides a feature to view all open windows through a simple gesture.
Moreover, the iPad now includes its own menu bar. Swipe down from the top of the display or hover your cursor at the top to reveal app-specific controls in the menu bar. All options previously found in an app’s keyboard shortcut menu are now displayed in the menu bar, with further customization available for developers.
### Enhanced Dock Functionality
The dock on the iPad receives two significant enhancements in iPadOS 26:
1. You can now add folders from the Files app to the dock.
2. There’s an option to keep the dock visible at all times on the screen.
Document folders function similarly to those on the Mac, residing at the right side of the dock in a dedicated area. Files can be dragged to and from these folders, and a new setting in iPadOS 26 allows the dock to remain visible, akin to the behavior on the Mac.
### Liquid Glass Aesthetic
Apple’s newly introduced Liquid Glass design in iOS 26 is also reflected in iPadOS 26. App icons feature updated designs, buttons and menus exhibit a glassy visual effect, and the overall UI boasts a refreshed appearance. This design fosters greater consistency with Apple’s other platforms.
### Upgrades to File Management
The Files app closely resembles the Mac’s Finder in iPadOS 26, incorporating new features such as:
– Customizable folder colors and icons
– Resizable columns
– Collapsible folders
– Option to select which app opens a specific file
– Ability to set a default app for various file types
Additionally, the Preview app debuts on iPad, serving as a dedicated tool for viewing and editing PDFs and images.
### More Accurate Cursor Design
iPadOS 26 improves the system cursor with a new look. The round cursor blob has been replaced by a pointer cursor that aligns more closely with the Mac’s design. The updated cursor still morphs in the same ways as its predecessor but offers greater precision.
### Background Tasks with Live Activities
The new Background Tasks feature allows applications to perform intensive processes entirely in the background. Hence, actions like exporting a video or rendering a 3D model can continue without needing to wait for the app to complete before switching tasks. Background Tasks will display the app’s progress at the top of your iPad using Live Activity.
### New Audio Recording Features
iPadOS 26 introduces multiple new audio recording tools accessible from the Control Center. Users can find options like Local Capture, Voice Isolation, and a new Input Picker.
### Introduction of Four New iPad Applications: Journal, Apple Games, Preview, and Phone
Apple is launching four new applications on the iPad with iPadOS 26:
1. **Journal** – Now debuting on the iPad with Apple Pencil support.
2. **Apple Games** – A central location for accessing all games installed on your iPad.
3. **Preview** – Facilitates viewing and editing of PDFs and images.
4. **Phone** – Expands to the iPad, leveraging Continuity features that utilize your iPhone’s cellular capabilities.
