Apple showcased iPadOS 26 during its WWDC 2025 keynote. Unlike in prior years, the company surpassed itself with the fresh features introduced in this software release. After all, utilizing the iPad as a computer alternative is set to be more straightforward than ever.
Some of the new capabilities include:
– **Enhanced windowing system:** Apple is replacing Split View and Slide Over with a novel windowing system. You are free to open as many windows as you like and manage them using a familiar menu bar and Mac-like controls.
– **Background Tasks:** Apple finally permits tasks to operate in the background, such as exporting a video, downloading substantial files, and more. A simple yet crucial feature that finally allows users to leverage up to 16GB of RAM on the iPad.
– **Preview app:** Apple developed a fresh app for iPad users to open, edit, and annotate PDFs and images effortlessly. Cupertino mentions that Preview was crafted with the Apple Pencil in mind, enabling users to sign documents and take notes quicker than before.
Nevertheless, these aren’t the sole features iPadOS 26 provides that enhance its status as a substantial computer substitute. There’s also a turbocharged Files app and the option to add folders to the Dock. I still believe iPadOS 26 requires a few adjustments to become the sole computer I wish to use daily.
## iPadOS 26 needs to resemble the Mac a bit more
Apple states that even though it has enhanced the multitasking capabilities on the iPad, it remains a touch-first experience. I fully concur with the distinctions between the iPad and the Mac. However, this doesn’t imply Apple can’t improve iPadOS 26 just a bit.
Here are some modifications that could make iPadOS 26 truly excellent for iPad users:
– **Multiple desktops:** Apple is not anticipated to significantly enlarge the display size of the iPad Pro (even though larger screens have been speculated). The optimal way to manage various open windows would be to provide different desktops. This would enable users to better organize their workflows.
– **Always-visible dock:** As personal as it may feel, I believe keeping the dock visible at all times is the ideal approach. On macOS, you cannot overlay the dock with a window. I wish iPadOS 26 acted in the same manner.
– **Files and photos on the Home Screen:** To further align the iPad with Mac functionality, allow users to save images and files on the Home Screen. Apple could enforce Stacks as mandatory to prevent documents from cluttering the experience. This would simplify dragging and dropping files into apps, Safari, and more.
