iPadOS is the new operating system introduced at the Apple WWDC conference in June 2019 that split from the previous operating system, iOS. under which previous iPads had been operating.  It was felt by Apple that the iPad had evolved significantly enough from the iPhone hardware to warrant its own operating system.  Released in the fall of 2019, these are some of the features and changes that Apple has stated that it will bring initially to the platform:

• a new Home screen layout

• enhanced multitasking features

• new user interface gestures for cutting, copying, pasting and undoing actions

• system wide dark mode and new floating keyboard (shared with iOS)

• expanded Apple Pencil functionality

• improved file management

• new version of Safari to better simulate desktop browsing

iPadOS 13 (Fall 2019)

• enhanced mutlitasking functionality:

  • Slide Over - provides easy access to multiple apps

  • Split View - work with two apps on both sides of the screen; have the same app open in multiple spaces

  • App Exposé - see all the spaces open by tapping the icon in the Dock

  • new home screen allows viewing more apps and pinning widgets on the front page

  • new tool palette for Apple pencil 

  • Sidecar in macOS Catalina - mirror Mac desktop on the iPad while allowing annotation using the Apple Pencil

  • easier text editing through three finger gestures (copy, paste and undo

  • easier cursor navigation, improved (finger drag) and intelligent text selection (double, triple or four taps for word, sentence or paragraph selection)

  • enhanced onscreen keyboard supports including floating keyboard (pinching) or swipe typing

  • new keyboard shortcuts for physical keyboards in Safari

  • installation of custom fonts and font management

  • new ways to view, work on and share files through Files app including USB drive support

  • dark mode

  • enhanced privacy and security features

  • updated photo app design

  • faster performance

  • Augmented reality support

  • Voice control of iPad

  • Siri shortcuts

  • audio sharing with AirPods

iPadOS 14 (Fall 2020)

New features introduced with this new operating system include:

• App clips - the ability to use a simplified version of an app without having to download and install it.  Think of it as using the web based version of the app

• Widgets - widgets are information boxes that live on your iPad screen and can be configured by size (small, medium, large).  They can also be stacked on top of one another and swiped for efficiency.  There is even a Smart Stack feature where the iPad will automatically display the most relevant widget depending on the time of day.

• Compacted user interface - Apple made a concerted effort to reduce the real estate that was being used by certain apps that would previously have taken up the entire screen.  In the updated version, these interfaces now appear and hover in front of a app which allows for multitasking between the two apps.  Other apps will appear in more discrete manner and appear similar to a notification

• Search and Siri - Apple has added substantial improvements to the search functionality which brings it more in line with the spotlight experience MacOS where search results include apps and web results all constantly updating as typing occurs.  Siri functionality has also been expanded to be more versatile as well as having the ability to translate more languages

• Privacy - additional privacy information related to specific apps now appears in the App Store so that users can make conscious choices about their purchases.  A recording indicator appears whenever the microphone or camera are activated.  Dictation can now be done on the device instead of going through a server.

• Scribble - the ability to use the Apple Pencil in a text field  (compatibility limited to certain devices) wherein the handwriting will be automatically converted into digital text (no server access required).  Additional upgrades in the use of the Apple Pencil include scribbling out a word(s) to delete, circling to select, touch and hold to insert a space,  and a new shortcut palette outside of the keyboard.

• Improved note taking tools with Apple Pencil - smart selection allows selecting using gestures which include a double tap for a word or triple tap for a sentence.  Sweeping over an entire paragraph in one motion will select it and use either a faster or slower motion to decrease or increase precision.  Copying highlighted handwriting allows it to be pasted as digital text, all of which occurs locally (i.e. no server connection required) so privacy is maintained.  The operating system will also detect addresses, phone numbers and email addresses to allow for quick actions.

• Shape recognition - allows for perfect drawing of commonly used shapes even if the user has not fully connected the lines.

• FaceTime - significant improvements made in the area of facial detection wherein the camera will focus on the caller's eyes to allow for eye to eye contact.  If sign language is detected within a call, the camera will focus on that area.

• Accessibility:

  • VoiceOver - recognition of key elements displayed within apps that may not otherwise have built-in accessibility.  VoiceOver will also read descriptions of images and photos in apps on web pages as well as within images and photos.  Finally, VoiceOver will detect interface controls to allow improved navigation of apps.

  • Headphone accommodations will automatically detect and amplify soft sounds and adjust certain frequencies to improve the ability to hear.

  • Sound recognition provides a notification whenever a certain sound or alert is detected (e.g. smoke detector)

iPadOS 15 (Fall 2021)

The third version of iPadOS includes the following features:

• moveable widgets

• App library that lists all apps on a separate screen and allows for categorization

• improved multitasking

• Universal control between iPad and Mac devices

• access to Apple Translate app

• Live Text: recognition of text within photos

• Visual Look Up: recognition of objects within photos

• Focus tool: filter out notifications

iPadOS 16 (Fall 2022)

The fourth version of iPadOS includes the following features:

• greater sharing of photos and videos with up to give people with greater sharing controls

• editing and unsending Messages; sharing of media within Messages

• improved search functionality

• Added undo and scheduling of Mail as well as adding rich links

• Safari improvements include greater security using Passkeys and sharing of tab groups; start FaceTime within Safari

• Stage Manager is a new organizational tool that groups apps into windows leading to a more efficient workspace

• Use of external displays on iPad Pro or iPad Air

• Intelligence features: lifting subjects from photos, live text for videos

• New Freeform app

• New accessibility features: live captioning, door detection

iPadOS 17 (Fall 2023)

The fifth version of iPadOS is the first version of the operating system to require Apple Pencil compatibility on iPads.  It is the first time that support has been dropped from an iPad Pro .  This iPadOS includes the following features:

• identification of PDF forms for quicker text input

• notes app supports real time collaboration between users in PDF documents

• audio messages are transcribed so you can reada them in the moment and listen later

• more accurate autocorrect and tapping the space bar finishes words or entire sentences

• more flexibility in moving and resizing windows for setting up workspace

• Assistive Access distills apps and experiences to essential features to support those with cognitive disabilities

• Personal Voice helps people with speech loss create a voice that sounds like them

• Point and Speak makes it easier for people with vision disabilities to interact with physical objects that have text labels

iPadOS 18 (Fall 2024)

The sixth version of iPadOS introduced the use of Apple's artificial intelligence engine named Apple Intelligence (limited models) and expands on the use of Apple pencil. This iPadOS includes the following features:

• use of Apple Intelligence (iPad Pro and iPad Air models with M1 and later)

• new writing tools and language capabilities to support writing and summarizing text

• improved Siri functionality

• improved Apple pencil functionality through "Smart Script" recognition

• live audio transcription

• evaluating expressions, assigning variables and plotting graphs with Apple Pencil

• updated Control Center and customization of controls

• redesigned Reader within the Safari app allowing summarization and creation of a Table of Contents for articles

iPadOS 26 (Fall 2025)

You may be wondering where the previous versions between 19 and 25 disappeared to.  Apple has revised their numbering system such that the version number will align with the date in which it was released.  This numbering system will equally apply to other Apple operating systems such as iOS, MacOS, etc.  

The seventh version of iPadOS introduces a new user interface design which they have coined Liquid Glass and will be harmonized across all of their platforms.  This version of iPadOS will be the first version to be exclusive to iPads with Apple Neural Engine. 

As part of its overall interface overhaul (the first since iOS7), the design will be reflected in many aspects of the user experience including the appearance of icons and menus with aspects that originate from the visionOS platform (found on Apple's VR headsets).  Of particular interest is the increased use of transparency.  Of noticeable difference will be a new windowing system providing greater customization which includes the ability to resize apps.  Some users may notice a familiar hallmark of windows management previously found on the Mac platform which uses the traffic light controls (red, yellow, green) to minimize, close or maximize apps.  Apple has also incorporated a macOS style menu bar system accessible by swiping down from the top of the display to engage more options.  Finally, they have allowed for greater tiling options to manage multiple windows.  This seems to exist in harmony with the previously introduced Stage Manager mode.  However, the previous Split View and Slide Over features have been removed and replaced by this new management system.

• Currently, Apple is trying to resolve an issue with the installation of iPadOS on iPad Pro M4 models.