iPadOS 26 Review: Why Your iPad Now Feels Like a Mac
Apple’s latest software update brings the iPad closer to replacing a traditional laptop than ever before. With this detailed iPadOS 26 review, users are finding that the familiar iPad interface now offers a surprisingly Mac-like experience—thanks to major improvements in multitasking, window management, and app handling. The new Liquid Glass interface may catch your eye first, but it’s the functionality under the hood that’s making waves. Whether you’re a casual user or a productivity power-user, understanding what iPadOS 26 brings to the table can help you decide whether it’s time to fully embrace the iPad as your everyday work device.
Multitasking Gets a Desktop-Level Upgrade in iPadOS 26
One of the most requested features from iPad users has been a smoother, more intuitive multitasking experience. iPadOS 26 finally delivers by letting apps behave like windows on a Mac. Now, users can open multiple apps simultaneously, freely move them around, and even stack them on top of one another. This windowing feature allows far more flexibility than previous iterations like Slide Over and Split View, which have now been removed. With Stage Manager still available, Apple gives users a choice—go fully Mac-like with window layering or organize apps into custom workspaces for quick context switching.
Even older iPads can access this revamped multitasking to some extent, though newer models naturally get better performance and more open windows. Importantly, this system is opt-in. Upon updating to iPadOS 26, you can choose to enable windowing or stick with fullscreen apps. And if your needs change later, toggling between the two is as easy as swiping into Control Center and flipping a switch. Apple’s flexibility here makes iPadOS 26 feel like a system that adapts to you—not the other way around.
iPadOS 26 Embraces Mac-Like App Windows and Menus
Beyond multitasking, app behavior in iPadOS 26 has received a desktop-class overhaul. Each app window now features a menu bar at the top, closely resembling those found in macOS. These new bars offer app-specific commands, making the experience far more intuitive for users familiar with Mac software. Additionally, the familiar "traffic light" buttons for closing, minimizing, and maximizing windows have been introduced, further blending the iPad and Mac user experience.
The best part? These windows are highly customizable. Want to resize? Just drag the new corner handle. Need to move an app? Use the menu bar like you would on a Mac. While third-party developers will need to update their apps to fully utilize these changes, Apple’s own ecosystem already takes full advantage of the new structure. This results in a more powerful and user-friendly interface that will likely feel second nature to anyone coming from a MacBook.
Productivity and User Experience Reach New Heights
For years, Apple has marketed the iPad as a potential laptop replacement, but limitations in iPadOS often made that claim fall short. With iPadOS 26, that narrative finally feels credible. Users can enjoy a rich multitasking environment, intuitive window controls, and refined app management that blur the lines between mobile and desktop computing. While iPadOS 26 still doesn't offer the full file system or terminal access some pros crave, the improvements here are meaningful for the vast majority of users—from students juggling assignments to professionals managing documents and emails.
Liquid Glass, while mostly cosmetic, gives iPadOS 26 a visually appealing, modern look. It brings new layers of polish and responsiveness that make the iPad feel faster and more interactive. Combined with hardware from the latest iPad Pro and Air models, this operating system helps the device function like a powerful computer without the weight or bulk of a laptop. For those invested in the Apple ecosystem, iPadOS 26 is arguably the most exciting leap forward in years—marking a future where your iPad might really be all you need.
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