Apple dropped the biggest iPad update in years, and it’s about time. Years of treating tablets like oversized phones end with iPadOS 26, which fundamentally transforms what your iPad can accomplish. Power users have been demanding computer-like functionality from their thousand-dollar tablets, and Apple finally listened with features that make the iPad worthy of its price tag.
Fluid Window Controls Finally Arrive
Traffic light buttons bring Mac-style window management to your iPad for the first time. Those familiar red, yellow, and green circles let you close, minimize, or maximize windows exactly like you would on a MacBook. Splitting screens into thirds or quarters becomes effortless with the new grab handle system that resizes windows in any direction you choose.
Menu Bar Streamlines Professional Workflows
Swiping down on any app reveals a Menu Bar packed with productivity tools at the top of your screen. Edit, Insert, Format, and other essential functions appear instantly when you need them most. Pairing this feature with a trackpad or mouse creates workflow efficiency that rivals traditional laptop setups, especially for content creators juggling multiple design projects.
Exposé Eliminates App Switching Chaos
Viewing all open apps simultaneously becomes possible through the new Exposé feature that replaces the clunky Show All Windows system. Mission Control-style functionality helps you jump between documents, emails, and creative apps without losing your mental flow state. Color-coded folders can now be dragged directly to the enhanced Dock, making project organization as visual as it is functional.
Pointer Precision Changes Everything
Real cursor support arrives for keyboard and trackpad users who demand precision control over their digital workspace. This arrow pointer behaves exactly as you’d expect from desktop computing, eliminating the awkward circle interface that frustrated professional users. Combined with proper windowing controls, your iPad transforms into a legitimate laptop replacement that handles complex tasks without compromise.
