iPadOS 26 Brings Desktop Features to the iPad, Making It Better Than Ever

Believe it or not, the iPad has finally reached its full potential with iPadOS 26. After the whirlwind excitement of WWDC’25, we’ve seen the debut of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS 26, and visionOS 26.

All of these updates follow the same naming pattern, signaling a new era for Apple’s software lineup.

Apple’s iconic flat design has been around for over a decade, but it’s now being replaced by a new, sleek “Liquid Glass” aesthetic. Given how long Apple stuck with the old design, it’s clear we’re likely looking at a solid decade of this new look. But what’s even more interesting is that iPadOS 26 is the update we’ve all been waiting for.

One of the biggest improvements comes with Stage Manager 2, which brings a desktop-like experience to the iPad. The iPad is finally stepping into its own as a serious computing device, with window management, resizable windows, and a more familiar interface. You can now move app windows around, resize them, and they’ll even remember their settings when you reopen them – features that have long been standard on desktop systems.

Apple’s attempt to make the iPad feel more like a computer also extends to a brand-new menu bar that appears when you swipe down from the top. This feature is instantly familiar to macOS users, offering quick access to app functionalities and settings. Plus, the Files app now shows more details about your documents, with customizable column resizing and even a nod to the Mac’s Expose feature for better file management.

Yes, this isn’t a dream – the iPad is almost a full desktop system now, and macOS features are making their way to this tablet. For years, people have questioned why Apple didn’t just bring macOS to the iPad, but now, with iPadOS 26, the idea has become more viable than ever.

Hardware-wise, the iPad has always been a powerhouse, capable of outperforming many lower-tier MacBooks. However, it was the software that held it back, and it wasn’t until iPadOS debuted in 2019 that we started to see real improvements. Now, iPadOS 26 makes the iPad feel like a true MacBook alternative, especially when paired with an external keyboard and mouse. While we still can’t run Mac apps on the iPad, the future looks promising, and we may eventually see better third-party app support.

In conclusion, iPadOS 26 has brought the iPad closer than ever to the MacBook experience, and it’s only going to get better from here!