iPadOS 26 brings a new design and Mac-like multitasking at last

Apple has streamlined iPadOS to work more like the Mac, starting with a sleek universal interface.

- BY FILIPE ESPOSITO

Apple has just unveiled iPadOS 26 (yes, you read that right) at the Worldwide Developers Conference opening keynote. The update not only brings a brand-new interface for the iPad's operating system, but also improves many aspects of iPadOS to make it more like macOS.

From the new Liquid Glass design language to more desktop features and a few extra apps, these are the main new features coming to your iPad with iPadOS 26 (fave.co/4lppRP4).

iPADOS 26, NOT 19

As strange as it may sound, the successor to iPadOS 18 is not version 19, but 26. That's because Apple has finally decided to unify the version number of all its operating systems. This means that iOS (fave.co/44uVU9u), iPadOS, macOS (fave.co/40tNQ7w), watchOS (fave.co/4lwe5Co), tvOS and visionOS are all now at version 26.

"Why 26?" you ask. The answer is because the new operating systems will be released to the public in September, so they'll be marketed as 2026 software. So now every new version of Apple's operating systems will be associated with the following year in the calendar, like a new car model.

NEW LIQUID GLASS DESIGN

After many rumors, Apple has unveiled its new “Liquid Glass” interface, which is available not only on iPadOS 26, but also across all its operating systems. From the Lock Screen to the system apps, the interface now simulates glass with reflections and shadows that refract and reflect light and interface elements that float above content below it.

On the iPhone and iPad, the Liquid Glass interface responds to movements with dynamic reflections and brings back the parallax effect to the wallpaper. App icons now adapt to light and dark modes with updated color tints, and there's a new mode that makes app icons and widgets completely translucent.

This updated interface also extends to core iPad apps, including Safari, Apple TV, and Music, which adopt the new menus and controls.