iPadOS 26 will make the iPad feel more like a Mac

Given the updates to iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, it’s no wonder that iPadOS 26 is getting its own makeover, too. But Apple is calling this update “the biggest iPadOS release ever,” and we don’t think that’s just PR-speak.

The updates to iPadOS 26 include the Liquid Glass design refresh, a new window system, Apple Intelligence features, file management improvements with Preview, and audio/video recording features for creators. Overall, iPadOS 26 makes the iPad feel more like a blend between an iPhone and a Mac, as opposed to one giant iPhone.

People who use their iPad for work or school may be relieved to hear that the iPad will finally get its own version of folders, the Preview app, and more intuitive window displays, making it easier to use the iPad like a Mac. Preview makes it easier to edit and markup PDFs, while the Files app now allows users to drag any folder to the Dock or set a default app to open specific kinds of files.

With the new window controls, you can see all of your open windows at once, then tile them intuitively to help you multitask. These window controls are also compatible with Stage Manager, allowing users to organize their windows into specific stages or work on multiple screens.

iPadOS 26 will also be augmented by Apple Intelligence features, which include Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime, and Messages, which lets you follow along in a conversation with auto-generated translations while still hearing the other person’s voice.

The updates to iPadOS also include a number of creator-friendly features. Now, the iPad will be able to perform computationally intensive tasks — like exporting a video from Final Cut Pro — in the background of other tasks.

When it comes to recording audio and video, the iPad now allows people to choose custom audio and video inputs for various apps and websites. You can also use voice isolation features to get a crisper sound, and while Apple claims that using AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 2 will yield “studio-quality” recordings.

Podcasters, especially, will be interested in the Local capture feature. On any video conferencing app, users can produce and share audio and video recordings, which also use echo cancellation of other participants’ audio. If this feature can also properly capture and stitch together the other users’ audio and video files, then the iPad could become a Riverside killer.