Ipados 19/26 Release date, supported devices, new features for iPads

In summary
Soon there will be a brand new operating system software for iPads. The next iPados may include a design revision and a new window management system for multitasking. Other potential features include a new game application, redesigned home application and improvements powered by AI to messages, music, notes and calendar. Rumors also suggest that Apple will name it iPados 26. Read the rest to find out more …
It has been six years since Apple decided to mark the iPados of the iPad operating system to differentiate it from iOS on the iPhone. Since then, Apple has added a handful of exclusive iPad features, but overall, it’s always a bit like iOS.
This could change considerably in the next update to iPados, which will be available for iPads taken care of later this year. But we don’t have to wait until then, we will have our first overview of the upcoming changes to the WWDC iPados on Monday, June 9.
Apple will unveil the new features, the devices supported and the latest improvements in how the iPad and Mac will work together, in its Keynote WWDC event. In the meantime, here is what we are already heading on the next version of iPados.
Ipados 19 Release date: When is the new iPad software?
- Complete version: September 15 (planned)
The official release date has not been announced, but Apple currently has an annual cycle with its operating systems which occurs within September. Based on recent history, iPados 19 could be released to the public on September 15 or 22. There were years when iPados arrived later alongside MacOS in October.
Here are the version dates for the previous version of iPados:
- IPados 18: September 16, 2024
- IPados 17: September 18, 2023
- IPados 16: September 12, 2022
- IPados 15: September 20, 2021
- IPados 14: September 16, 2020
- IPados 13: September 24, 2019
Name of the following iPados: iPados 26 not iPados 19?
In recent years, it has been easy to predict how the next version of iPados will be called. The iPados generally take the same version number as the version of iOS, so for 2025, it was widely planned that the name was iPados 19. However, this may not be the case. According to rumors, Apple aligns all the names of its operating system updates to reflect the year. So, rather than having iOS 19, iPados 19, Watchos 12 and MacOS 16 (which is so confusing). It will be iPados 26, iOS 26, Watchos 26 and MacOS 26. It makes sense, so we hope that Apple will do it because it will be much less confusing for everyone!
Ipados 19 (or 26) supports
- iPads that led the iPados 18 should be able to execute new iPados
- But only iPad Air and Pro of the M series, and the iPad Mini A17 Pro will obtain the features of Apple Intelligence
When Apple updates the operating system for its devices, it sometimes means that some models are no longer supported.
A report in December 2024 said the following iPads will be able to execute iPados 19:
- iPad Pro (2018 or later)
- iPad Air (3rd generation or later)
- iPad Mini (5th generation or later)
- iPad (8th generation and later)
It is almost all iPads that can execute iOS 18, excluding the 7th generation iPad from 2019.
However, there are a number of supported iPads that will lose features of Apple Intelligence – to come in the next iPados. The only iPads that can support these features are the iPad Pro and the iPad Air with a M chip M and the iPad Mini A17 Pro.
Ipados and public beta developer
- Beta developer: from June 9 (planned)
- Public beta: from July 14 (estimated)
Apple puts beta of its operating systems before the official release in September. A beta version of the developer is published first after WWDC speech, so that the developers can immediately start to test it with their products. The WWDC25 keynote will take place on June 9, so that the developer’s beta version should be available later in the day after the presentation.
Apple then publishes a public beta version for everyone, which generally arrives in July, about a month after the first beta developer. Then, each time Apple publishes beta updates, the public beta version updated follows a day or two after the beta version of the update developer.
If you are interested in using the beta version, you can join the Apple beta program. The beta program is to run software that will have stability problems, and you should provide Apple details of all problems via the Apple Reboder application.
To help install ipados beta on your iPad, consult our guide to install the beta iOS version (the method is very similar).
IPados 19: new features
- Hugh redesign
- More mac
Because iPados 19 never need to leave Apple Park before its expedition, rumors of its new features are more difficult to come than iPad equipment. But leaks always occur, and we will keep them here. Here is what we have heard so far:
Major design revision
Apple works on an ipados design overhaul (as well as iOS, macOS, Watchos and Tvos). The reports indicate that the update will be inspired by visionos, and Apple invitations and sports applications could offer some tips on what is in store. It is also possible that Apple changes the form of icon for the first time to correspond to the circular icons of Visionos.
Mac type user experience
An exciting feature that precedes being on the way is a new window management system for multitasking on the iPad. Apple published a stage manager with iPados 16.1, but it was not up to its potential. A April 2025 report by Mark Gurman says that Apple works on internship manager 2, which will incorporate the use of a menu bar that activates when the iPad is connected to a keyboard. Gurman added that iPados 19 will make the iPad “more like a Mac”, but he did not offer details.
A separate report in November 2024 claims that users will be able to pin files on the iPados 19 home screen, similar to how files can be saved on the desktop in MacOS.
The low power mode could extend its functionality in iPados 19.
Foundry
Low power mode
The iPados 18 currently have a low power mode, but Majin BU last November said that the system would be “reinvented” in iPados 19.
Apple Intelligence and Siri
Apple has struck serious obstacles with its development of Apple’s intelligence, which leads to a delay in functionalities. The features which were to be delivered in iPados 18.4 may appear in 2026 in an update of iPados 19.
Apple had praised Siri’s major update, where it is better in natural conversations with the user. Previously, planned in iPados 19, it is now more likely to come as a subsequent update or in iPados 20. However, there will certainly be new features of Apple Intelligence within the framework of iPados 19, especially since all new iPads (with the exception of the 11th generation model) can now execute it.
iPados 19: New applications and updates
- Application of new games
- House updates, messages, notes and calendar
There are a number of updates that come to Apple’s own applications, some of which can be improved by Apple Intelligence.
Application of new games
There may be a dedicated game application to come with iPados 19 (or 26), according to a report by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. The application will be available for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, it has been said.
The new application will draw from the Games section of the App Store and Apple Arcade, according to Gurman. It will also offer editorial content on new games and centralize everything in Game Center.
New domestic application
Apple would have made a major thrust in the smart house in the next year, and this could start with a new domestic application. Many reports say that Apple develops a new “Homepad” and a new HomePod with a screen that has a new “homeos”, and Apple recently pushed all users to the new domestic architecture published for the first time in iOS 16. To support these new products, could present a brand new domestic application in iPados 19.
Messages
9TO5MAC reports that messages will be able to automatically translate messages using AI. Messages will also allow users to create polls.
Music and illustrations of a full screen locking screen
9TO5MAC reports that animated album art is now displayed on the locking screen when using the musical application.
Markdown notes and support
9TO5MAC reports that users will be able to format their entries in the Notes application using the Markdown syntax.
Calendar
A new application of calendar based on the Mayday application (which Apple acquired last year) is based on AI to help manage your calendar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhhtgpe3duq
For certain features that we would like to see the iPados 19 Read: iPados 19 needs these 9 features.