'iPadOS 26' finally enables window display, allowing multiple apps to be windowed and arranged freely

' iPadOS 26 ' was announced at the keynote speech of ' WWDC25 ', the annual developer conference held by Apple from 2:00 on June 10, 2025. It has been completely redesigned with ' Liquid Glass ', the unified design of Apple's OS, and the app screen that was previously displayed full screen has been made into a window, allowing multiple apps to be displayed simultaneously on one screen.

iPadOS 26 introduces powerful new features that make iPad even better - Apple (UK)
https://www.apple.com/jp/newsroom/2025/06/ipados-26-introduces-powerful-new-features-that-push-ipad-even-further/

WWDC 2025 — June 9 | Apple - YouTube


The next version of iPadOS will be called 'iPadOS 26'.

The design is unified to Liquid Glass. The clock display on the top screen has changed.

The home screen has redesigned app icons and widgets.

Like iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe , Apple Intelligence will be built into iPadOS, bringing new shortcuts and more.

And the biggest update in iPadOS 26 is 'multitasking.' The 'app window display' that has been highly requested by users is finally possible.

When you launch an app on iPadOS, it normally opens full screen.

However, you can use the handle at the bottom right of the app.

This will allow you to smoothly switch the app to a windowed view.

The window size is remembered, so even if you close it, the next time you start it, it will be displayed in the same size and position as the last time.

The mouse pointer has also been redesigned, changing from the previous round dot-like pointer to an arrow-shaped pointer, improving precision.

You can also tile a window by simply flicking it to the edge.

Tiled windows can also be resized simultaneously.

Swipe up from the bottom and hold to expand the window across the screen.

Then tap the window you want to bring it to the front.

There is also an options menu at the top of the window.

Next, let's look at Files, the iPadOS's native file manager app. It has evolved into an app that is closer to macOS's Finder.

Like macOS Tahoe, you'll be able to change the color of folders and display emojis on labels.

You can also choose the app you want to open the file with and set it as the default.

If you tap a folder, the files inside will be displayed in a fan-shaped format, as shown below.

And the Preview app for viewing and editing PDF files has arrived on iPadOS.

It makes documents easy to access, annotate, write, and highlight.

Additionally, iPadOS 26 brings updates to audio and video processing.

It will be possible to easily specify the microphone as an input device from the Control Center, and it will also be possible to select a different microphone for each app.

You can record with the most suitable microphone depending on the situation and content you want to use.

Additionally, you can now use Voice Separation to make your voice sound crisp and clear in any app.

In addition, you can now record audio directly using the microphone built into the AirPods, and you can start and stop video recording from a distance by simply pressing and holding an AirPod, making selfies even easier.

This audio and video processing is also available for third-party video conferencing apps.

In addition, it will be possible to easily share recordings and videos made in a local environment with others.

And on iPads equipped with Apple Silicon, it is now possible to run long, computationally intensive tasks in the background. For example, even if you are exporting a video in a video editing app and you have another app in full view, the progress will be displayed at the top of the screen as shown below.

An API will be made available to developers to allow them to perform tasks in the background.

In addition, iPadOS has been updated with 3D graph creation functions and calculation notes.

A new reed pen that lets you experience traditional calligraphy

Journal, Apple's native record-keeping app available on iOS, will be added to iPadOS.

This is iPadOS 26.

Additionally, developers were informed that Swift will be updated.

Updates to SwiftUI enable building modern user interfaces across Apple platforms.

Also coming soon will be an app called 'Icon Composer' that allows you to create app icons compatible with Liquid Glass.

Easily design how Liquid Glass reacts to light.

XCode now supports more generative AI, and will also support coding using ChatGPT as standard.

iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, visionOS 26, and tvOS 26 will be available in developer beta from June 10, 2025.

The public beta is scheduled to be released in July 2025.

The official version is expected to be available in the fall of 2025.