Apple Launches iPadOS 26 with New Multitasking and Mac-Like Features
Wondering what’s new in iPadOS 26? Apple’s latest tablet update brings a complete overhaul to multitasking and window management, giving your iPad a much more Mac-like feel. Whether you’re a creative professional, student, or power user, iPadOS 26 makes the iPad more capable, flexible, and intuitive than ever. From a redesigned interface to a smarter way of handling multiple apps, this update might finally answer the long-standing question: Is the iPad more like a Mac or an iPhone? With iPadOS 26, Apple leans hard toward the Mac.
iPadOS 26 Redefines Multitasking with a Mac-Inspired Windowing System
One of the most talked-about features of iPadOS 26 is its brand-new windowing system. Gone are the limitations of rigid split-view or slide-over multitasking—now users can fluidly resize app windows and move them freely around the screen. This window management update integrates seamlessly with Stage Manager, now more intuitive and responsive. You can run multiple apps side-by-side, arrange them across displays, and truly multitask on your iPad in ways that were previously impossible.
Liquid Glass Design and Enhanced Visual Experience
Apple has introduced a stunning new “Liquid Glass” design language in iPadOS 26, inspired by Vision Pro. This design refresh applies across core apps and the home screen, offering a more dynamic, immersive user experience. Visual elements are smoother, transitions feel more organic, and the overall aesthetic mirrors the high-end polish of macOS. While the update brings visual continuity with iOS 26, the iPad now clearly charts its own course with added emphasis on multitasking and productivity.
New Apps and Smarter AI Features Add Even More Power
iPadOS 26 also comes with smarter Apple Intelligence features across the board. The new Files app makes file management more desktop-like, and the Preview app—borrowed from macOS—now lets users open, annotate, and sign PDFs effortlessly. AI enhancements make Spotlight more powerful, surfacing relevant results faster. The integration of AI-driven suggestions and contextual awareness means your iPad is better at anticipating what you need, when you need it.
Is iPadOS 26 the Turning Point for the iPad?
For years, the iPad has balanced between being a big iPhone and a touch-friendly Mac. iPadOS 26 finally tips the scale, positioning the iPad as a legitimate productivity machine. With the new multitasking capabilities, advanced app handling, and refined design, it’s clear Apple sees the iPad not just as a media device, but as a full computing platform. Whether this evolution is enough to replace a MacBook depends on your workflow, but there’s no doubt that iPadOS 26 is Apple’s boldest step yet in transforming the iPad into a true laptop alternative.