iPadOS is a mobile operating system for tablet computers developed byApple Inc. It was first released as a modification ofiOS starting with version 13.1 on September 24, 2019. Before the release of iPadOS,iPads were released with iPhone OS, which was later renamed to iOS. New iPadOS versions are released every year mostly in sync with iOS,tvOS, andwatchOS.

iPadOS 13 is the first major release ofiPadOS, an iPad-specificfork of iOS meant to emphasize the multitasking and tablet-centric features of the iPad. It was previewed at Apple'sWWDC 2019, and released on September 24, 2019 as 13.1. iPadOS version 13.0 was never publicly released, though beta testing for iPadOS 13 started with 13.0.

It added a dark mode for the interface, and Memoji support for iPads with theApple A9 chips or more recent chips. New multitasking options were added that could display multiple applications simultaneously, including Split View and Slide Over. Apps gained multi-window support.^[1] These windows can be navigated using an interface similar toMission Control onmacOS.^[2] System-wide support forpicture-in-picture was added.Safari gained new keyboard shortcuts and a download manager, and was set to display the desktop versions of websites by default, instead of the mobile version.^[1][3] A new feature,Sidecar, allows an iPad to function as asecond monitor forMacs, which allows theApple Pencil to be used with Mac applications.^[4] TheFiles app gained support for external drives, which can connect to an iPad withUSB-C, or through the Lightning Camera Connection Kit for iPads with aLightning port.^[5] Preliminary support for mice and trackpads was added to iPadOS 13, with full support added in iPadOS 13.4.^[6]

iPadOS 14 was released on September 16, 2020.^[7][8] It added new widgets in the Today View, a shelf to the left of the first home screen. The standardized system interfaces for Siri and voice calling applications likeSkype were shrunk to the size of notifications, to allow users to continue interacting with the open app.Spotlight search gained improved search suggestions and more detailed web search results. iPadOS 14 also added support for mounting encryptedAPFS external hard drives.

iPadOS 15 was released on September 20, 2021. It introduced an App Library, which automatically categorizes apps into one page, and also added the ability to place widgets on the home screen. Both features had previously only been available on the iPhone, withiOS 14.^{[citation needed]} It also added a new multitasking user interface, withwindow controls to activate Split View, Slide Over, or full screen in one tap. Quick Notes allows users to create notes by swiping from the bottom right corner, from the Control Center, or with a keyboard shortcut. Tab Groups were added to Safari. iPadOS 15.4 added Universal Control: a user can use a Mac or iPad's keyboard and trackpad across all of their other Macs and iPads, by moving the mouse cursor past the edge of the screen in the direction of the other device.

iPadOS 16 was released on October 24, 2022 as 16.1 instead of 16.0 (similar to how iPadOS 13 started off as version 13.1 instead of the usual 13.0). It included a new Weather app, Passkeys in Safari, and a new Stage Manager feature that enables more powerful multitasking.^{[citation needed]} iPadOS 16.2 added theFreeform app, a digital whiteboard which can sync across Apple devices.

iPadOS 17 was released on September 18, 2023.^{[citation needed]} It allowed for customization for, and adding of wallpapers, with just a held tap on the Lock Screen.

iPadOS 18 was released on September 16, 2024.^[9] It allowed users to change from Light mode to Dark mode, customize the home screen, lock screen and Control Centre and useApple Intelligence. This update also introduces dynamic wallpapers that change with the time.

iPadOS 26 was introduced on June 9, 2025 as the first iPadOS version to use Apple's new year-based versioning scheme.^[10] It introducesLiquid Glass, the first major redesign of the operating system sinceiOS 7, based around the element ofglass. The design language extends to all of Apple's other platforms, includingiOS,macOS,watchOS,tvOS andvisionOS, marking the first time Apple has used a unified design language across all of their operating systems.^[11]

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Supported iOS and iPadOS versions on the iPad

Model	iPhone OS	iOS									iPadOS
	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16[a]	17	18	26
iPad (1st)	3.2
iPad 2	—	4.3
iPad (3rd)	—		5.1
iPad (4th)	—
iPad (5th)	—							10.2.1
iPad (6th)	—								11.3
iPad (7th)	—										13.1
iPad (8th)	—
iPad (9th)	—
iPad (10th)	—													16.1
iPad (11th)	—															18.3.1

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Supported iOS and iPadOS versions on the iPad Mini

Model	iOS							iPadOS
	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	26
Mini (1st)	6.0.1
Mini 2	—	7.0.3
Mini 3	—		8.1
Mini 4	—
Mini (5th)	—						12.1.4
Mini (6th)	—
Mini (7th)	—

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Supported iOS and iPadOS versions on the iPad Air

Model	iOS						iPadOS
	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	26
Air (1st)	7.0.3
Air 2	—	8.1
Air (3rd)	—					12.1.4
Air (4th)	—							14.1
Air (5th)	—								15.4
Air (6th)	—										17.4
Air (7th)	—											18.3.1

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Supported iOS and iPadOS versions on the iPad Pro

Model	iOS				iPadOS
	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	26
Pro (1st)	9.1 / 9.3[b]
Pro (2nd)	—	10.3.2
Pro (3rd)	—			12.1
Pro (4th)	—				13.4
Pro (5th)	—					14.5
Pro (6th)	—							16.1
Pro (7th)	—								17.4
Pro (8th)	—

v t e Timeline of iOS and derivative operating systems

• List of iPad models
• iOS version history
• Issues relating to iOS

• iOS – official site
• iPadOS – official site

• IPadOS
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• Tablet operating systems

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