iPadOS 26 Tips, tricks & secrets

The best iPadOS yet is a massive upgrade for any iPad

- Written by Carrie Marshall

Apple's iPadOS 26 is one of the biggest, most important and most user-friendly iPad updates in the company's history, both in terms of how it looks and how it works. The eye-catching and good-looking Liquid Glass interface that makes any iPad look shiny and new is just the beginning, because under the sparkly bits there are lots of really important improvements as well as some key new apps. And they're all designed to do one very important thing: make your iPad utterly unique.

This is the most customisable iPadOS ever, with lots of great ways to make your iPad look amazing. It's the most productive iPadOS ever, with lots of tools and tweaks to help you get stuff done and tame your to-do list. It's the most connected iPadOS ever thanks to the new Phone app, a massively enhanced Messages app and the new call screening tools. And it's the most Mac-like iPadOS ever thanks to its vastly improved window controls and multitasking.

Over the next six pages, you'll discover all the best bits of iPadOS 26 for work, for play, and for sharing great things with your friends, family or colleagues. We'll reveal what's new in Apple Intelligence and its clever communications, smarter Shortcuts and much more useful Reminders; you'll have fun with that glorious Liquid Glass interface; and you'll discover how you can customise the big stuff and the little things to make your iPad completely you.

Customise your iPad

Make your iPad utterly unique