The beginning of June marked Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where the company revealed updates to its iOS and macOS and watchOS software. There are many new features available for the iPhone as of iOS 16, and even more for the Apple Watch as of watchOS 9. However, iPads are getting their own set of improvements with the release of iPadOS 16. Information regarding iPadOS 16, including when it is planned to be released, what features it will add, how to test it out, and which iPad devices are compatible, is provided below.
iPadOS 16 Release Date
- Unveiled date: 6 June 2022
- Release date: October 2022 (TBC)
During WWDC, Apple unveiled the iPad 16, the next major update to the iPad's software. On June 6, 2022, the preview was unveiled alongside the developer beta and public beta. Earlier this year, Apple announced that iPadOS 16 would be released “this fall” in its final form. “This fall” usually refers to September, a week or so after Apple announces the new iPhone and Apple Watch models and simultaneously with the release of iOS 16 and watchOS 9.
However, such has not been the case this year; iPadOS 16 has not yet been released despite the release of all other software builds. Speculation has it that Apple would hold off on releasing iPadOS 16 until October, coinciding with the expected launch of the new iPad Pro with an M2 processor and the debut of macOS Ventura. Although Apple has stated the software will be available after iOS 16, no release date has been announced as of yet.
How To Try The Public Beta Of iPadOS 16?
Both the developer beta and public beta versions of iPadOS 16 can be downloaded right now. It may be tested by anyone and setting it up should just take around five minutes. Beta versions of Apple's software, such as iOS 16 and watchOS 9, are only available to members of Apple's beta software program. In case you need more instruction, we've prepared a guide on how to set up a public beta version of iPadOS.
Which iPads Can Run iOS 16?
The average length of time between software upgrades for an Apple product is several years, much longer than the average for Android manufacturers. If your iPad model isn't supported, it's probably because it lacks the necessary processing power to take advantage of certain enhancements. There may be cases where your iPad can run the main program but has trouble with certain functionalities. iPads that will be able to run the upcoming iPadOS 16 are as follows:
- iPad Pro (all models)
- iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
- iPad (5th generation and later)
- iPad mini (5th generation and later)
iPadOS 16: Features
Listed here are all of the new capabilities that will soon be available on your iPad. While the iPad misses out on iOS 16's Lock Screen enhancements for iPhone, it does receive most of the update's other features in addition to a few bonuses.
- Stage Manager
With the release of iPadOS 16, a new feature called Stage Manager will make it possible to use overlapping windows in a single view, just like on a Mac, and to resize windows and move between programs with a single tap. You can have up to four apps open simultaneously. You can learn everything there is to know about Stage Manager in our dedicated feature. With iPad 16, this is one of the most significant upgrades.
- Photos
Some updates have been made to Photos, such as the addition of iCloud Shared Photo Library, which facilitates simple collaboration on photos and videos between up to five individuals. Everyone gets full access to the shared library, and you can select which images to include based on criteria like when they were taken or who is pictured. Even better, the camera app will feature a dedicated share button that makes it easy to upload freshly snapped photos to the community album.
- Messages
You will have 15 minutes from the time an iMessage is sent to make any changes to it. An unsent Message can be retrieved, and unread messages can be marked in any conversation. In addition, SharePlay (formerly only available on FaceTime) has been integrated into Messages, allowing you to watch content along with a friend without leaving the app and without interrupting your discussion. With iPadOS 16, you can start collaborating immediately and view changes on shared projects by sending each other notes, presentations, reminders, Safari Tab Groups, and more in Messages.
Many new features have been added to Mail, such as the option to resend or cancel sent messages. Mail will now notify you if you neglect to attach a file, and with iPadOS 16, the search will also improve.
- Security
Improvements to security and privacy have been implemented in iPadOS 16. You can lock a note with Face ID, Touch ID, or your password instead of remembering a distinct password, and the hidden photographs and recently deleted photo albums will be protected by default as well.
- Safari
Passkeys, a new addition to Safari in iPadOS 16, provides a safer and more convenient way to log in to websites. Shared Tab Groups will also soon be available, letting you collaborate on Safari windows and bookmarks, as well as initiate chats and launch FaceTime from within the browser.
- Weather
With the release of iOS 16, the iPhone's Weather app will be available on the iPad as well, providing users with up-to-the-minute predictions, 10-day outlooks, and additional information like air quality, local forecasts, and more via tappable forecast modules.
- Display
In iPadOS 16, a new feature called Display Scaling Mode will let users modify the display resolution to fit more content into the screen. Raising the display's pixel density allows you to see more in your apps, which is especially useful when employing the Split View feature. With iPadOS 16, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be able to play SDR and HDR video formats, as well as display reference color for common color standards.
- Gaming
New to iPadOS 16 is a revamped Game Center dashboard that will let you keep tabs on your friends' progress and challenge them to a game of high score. With iPadOS 16, you'll be able to play games together with your friend's thanks to a new feature called SharePlay. The SharePlay feature allows you to quickly invite friends to join you in a multiplayer game when using Game Center.
- Live Text and Visual Look Up
To copy, translate, look up, and distribute text from videos, Live Text will soon allow pausing on any frame containing text. Additionally, there are shortcuts available to make common tasks like dialing a phone number or going online to do currency exchange, or learning a new language much simpler. You may remove the background from a photograph and focus on the subject with Visual Look Up a fantastic tool.
- Home
For iPadOS 16, the Home app has been updated with a new Home tab for navigating smart home devices, a new multi-camera view, and new categories for controlling the temperature in the house, the lighting in the house, and the security of the home. Additionally, matter compatibility is on the horizon.
- Family Sharing
With the release of iOS 16, Family Sharing will receive several improvements, including streamlined controls for managing kids' profiles. To help you make the most of Family Sharing, we're compiling a checklist with helpful hints and pointers, such as how to adjust your child's account settings as they mature. A new iPhone or iPad may be quickly set up for your child with all the necessary parental controls already in place using the Quick Start option.
- Freeform
Freeform is a forthcoming productivity tool that will support Apple Pencil-based sketching and note-taking, file sharing, and the incorporation of media such as web connections, documents, and audio. You can quickly and easily start working with others after inviting them and providing them with a link. Changes are displayed instantly as new comments and edits are made.
- FaceTime
iPadOS 15 brought a major boost to FaceTime, but iPadOS 16 introduces Handoff. That means your Bluetooth headset will automatically transition between your Mac, iPhone, and iPad whenever you switch devices.