The opening WWDC 2025 keynote is lengthy over, and I’ve to say I’m enthusiastic about what Apple did with its working methods this 12 months. I assumed the iOS 26 redesign and the novel watchOS 26 options could be the principle highlights for me. Seems, iPadOS 26 is an enormous win for Apple clients.
It lastly occurred. The iPad has become a Mac with out Apple retooling macOS to run on the iPad. It’s not simply the brand new Liquid Glass design that brings extra uniformity than ever to Apple’s merchandise. It’s the adjustments Apple made to some key iPad options that make me assume I can really think about the iPad a Mac substitute.
It’s been 15 years for the reason that authentic iPad launched, and about 5 years since Apple introduced its Mac-grade chips to the iPad. The most recent M4 iPad Professional is the very best pill I might purchase, however I’ve all the time criticized Apple for nerfing the software program expertise.
Apple has been promoting the iPad Professional as a pc that may change the Mac, however I by no means thought it might meet my wants. Now that iPadOS 26 is right here, I can say it is perhaps time to ditch the Mac and change it with an iPad. Beneath, I’ll clarify all the brand new multitasking and Recordsdata app updates in iPadOS 26 and the way they handle my foremost considerations.
New windowing mode
I’ve all the time criticized Stage Supervisor, as that means of managing apps on the iPad (and Mac) doesn’t meet my wants. I don’t need apps organized into distinct piles. I would like one pile of apps that I can use after I want them.
A few of these apps are full-screen. Others take up 25% or 50% of the display, and a few simply sit on high of the whole lot. That chaos works for me on the Mac, and now iPadOS 26 could make it occur too.
Try the picture above. It’s hell for some, however that’s the place I thrive.
The seize deal with
To get there, you’ll must get used to on the lookout for the seize deal with within the decrease proper nook, proven beneath, to resize full-screen apps.
That’s what I do on the Mac, and now I’ll do the identical on the iPad mini 7, which I’ve up to date to iPadOS 26 beta 1.
After you’ve resized an app, simply faucet it to maneuver it wherever you need on the display.
The apps gained’t resize till you need them to, similar to on the Mac.
The window controls
iPadOS 26 apps now have the identical three buttons within the high left nook as on the Mac. You possibly can shut an app from there with out swiping up. You possibly can reduce apps too, and a faucet on the icon will carry them again.
Extra importantly, these buttons allow you to resize and rearrange apps on the display in several patterns. Need 4 apps side-by-side? Simply click on and maintain on the window controls to tile them how you want.
Flick-to-tile
If it’s essential use two apps side-by-side, flick them to the display edges they usually’ll auto-arrange to separate the show. A grabber in the course of the display permits you to resize each directly.
You possibly can nonetheless run different apps on high of the tiles if wanted.
The brand new pointer
Apple additionally launched a brand new pointer for iPadOS 26. It’s useful when utilizing the iPad with a keyboard-and-trackpad accent.
The brand new cursor is extra exact and responsive than earlier than. It permits you to faucet and hover precisely the place you need.
Expose
Expose on the iPad will probably be a key function for rapidly accessing the app you want. The pill is the right gadget for this function.
Simply swipe as much as allow Expose, then faucet the app you wish to work with.
In the course of the rumor season, I didn’t assume I wanted a Menu Bar on the high of the iPad like on the Mac. I used to be unsuitable. I solely thought-about it from a multitasking and design angle. What I missed was how a lot it boosts my productiveness.
I can look at key information with out opening apps. The menu objects additionally give me entry to app options with out having to dig for them contained in the app.
iPadOS 26 brings a Menu Bar to the iPad. Simply swipe down from the highest of the display to see it.
New gestures
The iPad’s touchscreen offers it an edge over the Mac. You possibly can simply contact the display as an alternative of utilizing a mouse or trackpad.
I’ve already coated a few of the gestures in iPadOS 26, however right here’s a fast listing:
- grab-handle – drags app home windows
- flick-to-tile – permits split-screen multitasking
- grabber – resizes two apps in split-screen
- long-press on window controls (hover) – opens extra tiling choices
- swipe-to-peek – permits you to see the house display to search out different apps
- swipe up and maintain – opens Expose
- double swipe-up – minimizes all home windows so you may open a full-screen app
- swipe down from the highest – exhibits the Menu Bar
File particulars
File administration is one other large purpose I didn’t see the iPad as a Mac substitute earlier than iPadOS 26.
The redesigned Recordsdata app fixes that. It now exhibits extra particulars about recordsdata and folders, like on the Mac. I usually have to test file varieties or sizes, and the brand new columns make that simple.
Open recordsdata with app
One other key function on the Mac is opening recordsdata with particular apps.
iPadOS 26 now permits you to try this on the iPad too.
Folders within the Dock
Keep in mind how one can place folders within the Dock on the Mac? The iPad now permits you to try this too, so you may rapidly entry the recordsdata you want to your work.
Preview app
The Preview app is likely one of the unsung heroes of the Mac. I take advantage of it on a regular basis to preview photos, movies, and paperwork.
It’s additionally a fantastic software for fast edits to pictures and PDFs. Having Preview on the iPad and iPhone is nice information. Sure, it’s now a part of each iPadOS 26 and iOS 26.
Background duties
One other Mac benefit has been background apps. That’s lastly altering with iPadOS 26, not less than for some apps.
As you may see above, a Dynamic Island merchandise on the high of the display exhibits that an app is doing one thing for you within the background.
The plain downside
My iPad mini 7 can already use these options. The plain downside? The display is just too small for critical work.
I’d want a bigger iPad, paired with a keyboard accent. Abruptly, the M4 iPad Professional appears to be like fairly thrilling. I’ll have to rethink my choices, however I’m now seeing the sunshine. I’ll be utilizing the iPad for work and productiveness sooner quite than later.
