Apple has officially rolled out iPadOS 26 Beta 1, bringing a fresh wave of features, enhancements, and design upgrades tailored for iPad users. This developer beta is already available, while the iPadOS 26 Public Beta 1 is expected to release by the end of June or early July. If you’re eager to know whether it’s worth upgrading or waiting for the stable version, this in-depth article breaks down all the major highlights.
iPadOS 26 Beta 1 Size and Device Compatibility
iPadOS 26 Beta 1 comes with a hefty download size of nearly 15 GB, indicating a major system overhaul. It shares its release schedule with several other Apple operating systems including iOS 26 Beta 1, macOS 26 Beta 1, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26. The build number for iPadOS 26 Beta 1 is 23A5260N.
Most iPads that supported iPadOS 17 will continue to support iPadOS 26, making it a widely accessible upgrade. If you’re wondering “is iPadOS 26 compatible with my iPad?”, Apple has provided a detailed list of supported devices on their official site.
Liquid Glass Design: A Fresh New UI
One of the most visually striking updates in iPadOS 26 Beta 1 is the introduction of the Liquid Glass UI design. The new design language offers a translucent, fluid interface experience, most notably visible in the Control Center.
This modern UI has no hard borders and dynamically changes its appearance based on your wallpaper and system mode (light or dark). If you’re looking for iPadOS 26 UI updates, this is one of the standout features. Users can also switch between “Clear” and “Tinted” icon modes to match their aesthetic preferences.
While some users have expressed concern over low contrast in certain areas, overall, the liquid glass interface on iPad brings a futuristic and clean design experience.
Enhanced Multitasking and Windowing System
iPadOS 26 introduces a brand-new windowing system that significantly improves multitasking. Now, apps can open in resizable, movable windows, much like macOS. This update has turned the iPad into a powerful productivity tool for multitaskers.
You can:
- Open multiple windows of the same or different apps
- Drag and drop them anywhere on the screen
- Snap windows to sides using gestures
The iPadOS 26 multitasking experience now mirrors macOS-style window management, and users don’t even need an external keyboard or mouse to utilize it. Though, using a mouse adds more precision as the cursor has been updated to an arrow-style pointer.
Full Menu Bar in Apps: Mac-Like Navigation
Another big feature in iPadOS 26 Beta 1 is the full menu bar in apps like Safari, Notes, and Camera. When you open an app, you’ll notice a top bar with familiar Mac menu items such as:
- File
- Edit
- View
- History
- Bookmarks
- Window
- Help
This makes the iPadOS 26 navigation system feel more desktop-class than ever before. Each app has a dedicated menu bar, enhancing usability and reducing the need for hidden gestures or buried options.
Notes and Apple Pencil: Calligraphy & Read Pen Support
If you’re a frequent Apple Pencil user, you’ll love the new enhancements in the Notes app. Apple has added a Read Pen tool that supports calligraphy, angle customization, and opacity adjustments.
This update gives artists and note-takers more control over their penmanship. Whether you’re creating elegant handwritten notes or practicing modern calligraphy, iPadOS 26 for Apple Pencil delivers a rich, responsive writing experience.
Files App Now Works Like Finder on macOS
Apple has dramatically upgraded the Files app in iPadOS 26, bringing it closer to the macOS Finder experience. Some of the new features include:
- List view with icons and columns
- Folder customization (colors, emojis, and tags)
- Default app assignment for opening specific file types
These updates are crucial for users who manage large volumes of files and want greater control over their workspace. If you’re looking for file management improvements in iPadOS 26, this section is a game-changer.
New Preview App for Media & Documents
For the first time, Preview is now available on iPad, functioning almost exactly like its macOS counterpart. With the Preview app on iPadOS 26, you can:
- Edit PDFs, images, and documents
- Export files in formats like JPG, PNG, PDF, and TIFF
- Resize and crop visuals
This brings an unprecedented level of desktop-style functionality to the iPad, making it a true contender for creative professionals.
Improved Export Workflow for Pro Apps
If you use apps like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, or LumaFusion, you’ll be excited about the background export support introduced in iPadOS 26. This means you can start an export process and swipe home without it failing or restarting.
Although this feature is still in its early stages and may not work 100% reliably yet, it indicates Apple’s commitment to turning the iPad into a fully capable editing machine.
Advanced Audio & Mic Input Options
Podcasters and audio engineers will appreciate the enhanced audio input support in iPadOS 26. You can now plug in devices like the Scarlett 2i2 interface, and select your microphone directly from the Control Center’s FaceTime audio settings.
This allows creators to use professional microphones with iPadOS 26, turning the iPad into a viable option for podcasting, interviews, and voiceovers.
Journal App: Personal & Travel-Based Journaling
One of the most anticipated additions in iPadOS 26 is the Journal app. Not only can you write daily thoughts and insights, but the app also includes a Places tab, which intelligently adds entries based on your geolocation.
Users can now:
- Maintain multiple journals
- Tag locations, add images
- Track emotions and habits
This makes the iPadOS 26 Journal app an excellent mental health and travel log tool for both casual users and professionals.
Family and Parental Control Updates
Apple has simplified how parents manage child accounts in iPadOS 26. With improved communication limits, App Store restrictions, and communication safety features, it’s easier than ever to keep your child safe online.
This update is part of Apple’s broader initiative to provide more flexible and transparent family management tools on iPadOS 26.
Performance and Battery Insights
Performance in iPadOS 26 Beta 1 is stable for the most part, but some users report occasional lag and sluggish animations. Since it’s an early beta, these issues are expected to improve with future updates.
Battery life has also been updated with a new analytics view under Settings > Battery, which includes:
- Charging insights
- Estimated full charge times
- Usage patterns
However, battery drain is still higher than average due to background indexing and system processes running during beta stages.
Video: iPadOS 26 Beta 1 is Out! – What’s New?
While iPadOS 26 Beta 1 offers a treasure trove of features, it’s best to avoid installing it on your primary device. Frequent lags, occasional crashes, and app incompatibilities are common in early betas.
If you’re a developer or power user who enjoys experimenting, go ahead with caution. For others, waiting for the Public Beta or stable release is the wiser option.
Whether it’s the Liquid Glass design, advanced multitasking, or powerful apps like Preview and Journal, iPadOS 26 is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most transformative updates yet.
