iPadOS 26 Brings macOS-Style Multitasking, Menu Bar & Liquid Glass UI
Apple unveiled iPadOS 26 at WWDC 2025, bringing a sweeping redesign to how multitasking works on the iPad. With iPadOS 26 macOS-style multitasking, a customizable menu bar, and Apple Intelligence integrations, Apple is finally bridging the gap between tablet and desktop productivity.
Check out these expert smartphone resources:
🖥 iPadOS 26 macOS-Style Multitasking & Windowing Features
The biggest highlight in iPadOS 26 is its revamped multitasking system, heavily inspired by macOS. The iPadOS 26 macOS-style multitasking experience builds upon earlier efforts with Stage Manager and app tiling, delivering a workflow that feels closer to macOS than ever before:
- Apps can now be resized, tiled, and minimized, with the OS managing layout automatically.
- Expose View (borrowed from macOS) displays all open windows at a glance.
- Stage Manager has been upgraded to support better grouping and external displays.
🧰 Menu Bar, Window Controls & macOS-Like UI in iPadOS 26
Apps can now include a customizable menu bar—accessible via swipe-down or mouse hover at the top edge—similar to macOS:
- Close, minimize, and resize buttons now appear on app windows.
- Developers can customize the menu bar to include app-specific functions.
🖼 Preview App & Productivity Boost in iPadOS 26
The beloved Preview app from macOS is now available on iPad:
- View and edit PDFs and images.
- Use Apple Pencil to annotate directly in Preview.
- Seamless integration with the Files app for document handling.
🔁 Smarter Multitasking with Background Tasks in iPadOS 26
Long-running processes now get background visibility:
- Exporting videos or uploading large files now appear in Live Activities.
- Developers can use the updated Background Tasks API for smoother multitasking integration.
📂 iPadOS 26 Files App Redesign for Better Workflow
iPadOS 26 updates the Files app with powerful enhancements:
- New List View shows more files with detailed metadata.
- Custom folders: add emojis, colors, and icons.
- Drag folders to the dock for quick access.
🎙 Audio Features & Mic Controls in iPadOS 26
Users can now choose different microphones per app or site:
- Voice Isolation eliminates background noise for cleaner recordings.
- Select AirPods gain studio-quality recording support.
- Local Capture lets users record high-quality audio/video from any call app.
🧠 Apple Intelligence & Visual Overhaul in iPadOS 26
A fresh visual style and smarter AI tools come with iPadOS 26:
- Liquid Glass UI: new translucent material responds dynamically to background content.
- Apple Intelligence adds:
- Live Translation in Phone, Messages, and FaceTime.
- Upgraded Shortcuts with AI-driven image creation and text summaries.
If you’re ready to experience true desktop-style workflow on iPad, iPadOS 26 macOS-style multitasking delivers the most advanced version yet.
📅 Availability & Supported Devices
- Developer Beta: Available now
- Public Beta: Launching next month
- Final Release: Later in 2025
Compatible iPads:
- iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9” (3rd gen+), iPad Pro 11” (1st gen+)
- iPad Air (M2 and 3rd gen+), iPad (A16, 8th gen+)
- iPad mini (A17 Pro, 5th gen+)
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