iPadOS 16.2 is finally here and there is a lot coming with it.

Today, Apple officially rolled out iPadOS 16.2 -- the latest update to the iPadOS 16 software that powers the company's iPads -- to all users with a compatible iPad. The update brings a ton of new features, bug fixes, and performance updates to the iPad lineup, but there are certainly some key features that stand out, set to make the best iPads even better.

Among the updates for this software release, Apple included a number of new features for the iPad including the new Freeform app, its new Apple Music Sing feature, support for Advanced Data Protection, and external display support for Stage Manager.

There's a lot to talk about, so let's hit the big ones.

External display support for Stage Manager

This one was supposed to launch months ago, but it's finally here! Today, Apple has rolled out external display support for Stage Manager on the iPad. For anyone hoping to take another step and try to leave their Mac behind, the iPad having a more robust external display experience was key.

Apple is looking to make that future a possibility with today's update, which adds "external display support with resolutions up to 6K available on the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation and later), and iPad Air (5th generation)."

The company notes that users with compatible iPads will now be able to use up to four apps on the iPad and four apps on the external display, all at the same time.

Freeform is here to help you collaborate

iPadOS 16.2 also launched the new Freeform app, a new collaboration app that comes directly from Apple. The app works across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac and allows users to collaborate in a dynamic way.

Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said in a press release that “Freeform opens up endless possibilities for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users to visually collaborate. With an infinite canvas, support for uploading a wide range of files, iCloud integration, and collaboration capabilities, Freeform creates a shared space for brainstorming that users can take anywhere.”

Advanced Data Protection is here for your iCloud backups

With iPadOS 16.2, Apple has also begun rolling out Advanced Data Protection, its new privacy feature that will allow users to opt-in to fully encrypted iCloud backups.

Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, said in a press release that “at Apple, we are unwavering in our commitment to provide our users with the best data security in the world. We constantly identify and mitigate emerging threats to their personal data on device and in the cloud. Our security teams work tirelessly to keep users’ data safe, and with iMessage Contact Key Verification, Security Keys, and Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, users will have three powerful new tools to further protect their most sensitive data and communications.”

The company has now increased the number of end-to-end encrypted items on iCloud backups from 14 to 23, including Notes and Photos.

There's a whole lot more to like with iPadOS 16.2

Below is everything Apple released with iPadOS 16.2 per their release notes:

• Freeform
  • Freeform is a new app for working creatively with friends or colleagues on Mac, iPad, and iPhone
  • A flexible canvas lets you add files, images, stickies, and more
    Drawing tools let you sketch anywhere on the canvas with your finger
• Apple Music Sing
  • A new way to sing along with millions of your favorite songs in Apple Music
  • Fully adjustable vocals let you duet with the original artist, sing solo, or mix it up
  • Newly enhanced beat-by-beat lyrics make it even easier to follow along with the music
• Advanced Data Protection for iCloud
  • New option expands the total number of iCloud data categories protected using end-to-end encryption to 23 — including iCloud Backup, Notes, and Photos — protecting your information even in the case of a data breach in the cloud
• Game Center
  • SharePlay support in Game Center for multiplayer games so you can play with the people you are on a FaceTime call with
  • Activity Widget allows you to see what your friends are playing and achieving in games right from your Home Screen
• Home
  • Improved reliability and efficiency of communication between your smart home accessories and Apple devices
• Stage Manager
  • External display support with resolutions up to 6K available on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation and later), and iPad Air (5th generation)
  • Drag and drop files and windows from your compatible device to your connected display, and vice versa
  • Support for using up to 4 apps on the iPad display and 4 on the external display

The update also included a number of bug fixes and performance improvements listed below:

• Improved search in Messages allows you to find photos based on their content, like a dog, car, person, or text
• Tracking Notifications alert you if an AirTag separated from its owner is nearby and has recently played a chime to indicate it is moving
• Turn Off Hide IP Address enables iCloud Private Relay users to temporarily disable the service for a specific site in Safari
• News articles in Weather display information relevant to the weather in that location
• Participant Cursors in Notes allow you to see live indicators as others make updates in a shared note
• AirDrop now automatically reverts to Contacts Only after 10 minutes to prevent unwanted requests to receive content
• Fixes an issue that causes some notes not to sync with iCloud after updates are made
• Fixes an issue that may cause Multi-Touch gestures to become unresponsive while using the Zoom accessibility feature

iPadOS 16 is here with new refinements and features that will need to be tested thoroughly before the software is released to the public in the fall. While there is normally a developer beta, Apple also wants regular users to test things out before it's released to the masses.

Are you one of those users who likes to take some risks and get the latest and greatest before it reaches the general public? Here's how to get set up with the iPadOS 16 public beta on your iPad. Make sure your iPad will work with the update before getting started.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

What's new in iPadOS 16?

October 27, 2022: Apple releases the first public beta of iPadOS 16.2

Apple has seed the first beta of iPadOS 16.2 to public beta testers. As per the release notes, the new beta fixes a number of issues impacting the Freeform and TV app as well as some issues with Stage Manager.

October 11, 2022: Apple releases the sixth public beta of iPadOS 16.1

Today, Apple seeded the sixth iPadOS 16.1 public beta. You can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

September 28, 2022: Apple releases the third public beta of iPadOS 16.1

Today, Apple seeded the third iPadOS 16.1 public beta. You can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

September 21, 2022: Apple releases the second public beta of iPadOS 16.1

With Apple planning to release the first iPadOS 16.x version in October, attention is now turning to iPadOS 16.1 and its beta versions. Today, Apple seeded the second iPadOS 16.1 public beta. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

August 24, 2022: Apple releases the fifth public beta of iPadOS 16

Apple has seeded the fifth iPadOS 16 public beta. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

August 15, 2022: Apple releases the fourth public beta of iPadOS 16

Apple has seeded the fourth iPadOS 16 public beta. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

August 9, 2022: Apple releases the third public beta of iPadOS 16

Apple has seeded the third iPadOS 16 public beta. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

July 28, 2022: Apple releases the second public beta of iPadOS 16

Apple has seeded the second in what will be a series of iPadOS 16 public betas. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

July 11, 2022: Apple releases the first public beta of iPadOS 16

Apple has seeded the first in what will be a series of iPadOS 16 public betas. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

How to make an archived backup of your iPad

Before you get the beta, you'll want to make sure that your iPad is backed up. Downloading and installing the beta is a straightforward process, but it's not without risk. Since your iPad probably has all of your personal data, you should always — always! — make a backup, just in case. And yes, even if you do an automatic backup every night, you'll still want to make another one right before putting the beta on to make sure everything is up-to-date.

1. Connect your device to your Mac using the cable it came with.
2. Launch a Finder window.
3. Select your connected device under Locations in the sidebar of the Finder window.
4. Click Pair to pair the device to your Mac.
5. Tap Trust on the device to confirm that you want to pair it.
6. Enter your passcode on your device.
7. If you don't already have a backup on your Mac, click Back Up Now to make a backup.
8. Click Manage Backups after you've made a recent backup.
9. Right or Control click on your device backup.
10. Click Archive.
11. Click OK.

Archiving will prevent your current backup from being overwritten by an iPadOS 16 backup in the future, should you want to revert for any reason.

How to register your account for the iPadOS 16 public beta

If you've already joined an Apple public beta in the past, you shouldn't need to register again for iPadOS 16 — just sign in with the same Apple ID. If you've never joined a public beta before, you'll start by signing up with your Apple ID.

1. Go to beta.apple.com on the iPad you want to enroll in the beta.
2. Tap on Sign up to get started. (If you've already signed up for a previous public beta, tap on Sign in and skip to our "How to enroll your device" section below.)
3. Enter you Apple ID email address and password.
4. Tap Sign in.
5. Tap Accept to agree to the terms and conditions.

Once you're signed up and signed in, it's time to start downloading.

How to enroll your iPad in the iPadOS 16 public beta

Unlike regular iPadOS updates, where you just tap and start downloading, Apple is using configuration profiles to validate devices for the iPadOS 16 public beta. Installing it is easy peasy.

Note: If you've been on a previous iPadOS public beta, you may need to remove the previous beta profile before installing the iPadOS 16 version. You can do so by going to Settings > General > Profile, selecting the iPadOS Beta Software Profile, and pressing Delete Profile.

1. Go to beta.apple.com, if you're not there already.
2. Tap the iPadOS tab, if it's not highlighted already.
3. Tap on Download profile.
4. Tap Allow.
5. Tap on Close.
6. Open Settings.
7. Tap Profile Downloaded.
8. Tap Install in the upper-right corner.
9. Enter your passcode.
10. Tap Install.
11. Tap Install.
12. Tap Restart.

Once your iPad is done rebooting, it should begin to download iPadOS 16 automatically. From this point on, the process is the same as any other iPadOS update.

How to install the iPadOS 16 public beta

To install the iPadOS 16 beta, you'll need to visit Software Update on your iPad.

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. Once the update appears, tap on Download and Install.
5. Enter your Passcode.
6. Tap Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
7. Tap Agree again to confirm.

Your iPad will now reboot to install iPadOS 16. There will be a couple of progress bars going across the screen. Sit tight, and let everything finish. Patience is a virtue!

How to get started with iPadOS 16 public beta

Once your iPad reboots, it'll be on iPadOS 16. There's a little bit of setting up that you'll need to go through, however. This is because the system has changed enough that it'll need your login credentials to complete the update.

1. Tap Continue.
2. Enter your Apple ID password. iCloud settings will update, so give it a minute.
3. Tap Get Started.

Once that's done, you'll be on the Home screen and ready to rock iPadOS 16. Have fun!

One of the best features of Stage Manager on the iPad will be making a return in the near future.

When Apple initially announced Stage Manager for the Mac and the iPad at WWDC in June, it showed off how the feature can cleanly organize all of the apps you have running on your Mac's desktop. For the iPad, it created a desktop-like experience that, prior to the feature's existence, hadn't really existed on the device.

In addition to running four apps at the same time on the iPad itself, Apple also showed off that, by hooking up the iPad to an external display, you could run eight apps across both screens. However, when Apple released iPadOS 16 to users on Monday, external display support was missing.

Thankfully, a future version of iPadOS is to the rescue. Earlier today, Apple released the first developer beta of iPad OS 16.2. Within the new beta, Apple has added back support for external displays with Stage Manager. However, it is to be noted that external display support will be limited to iPads with the M1 and M2 processors so, while you may have an iPad that supports Stage Manager, it may not support using the feature with an external display.

Stage Manager is still putting on quite a show

Stage Manager has, admittedly, experienced an incredibly rocky start. While the feature has run relatively smoothly on macOS, iPadOS users continue to experience tons of issues attempting to use the feature on the iPad.

MacStories' Federico Viticci has already pointed out that, just hours after testing the new iPadOS 16. 2 beta, Stage Manager is still relatively broken:

Apple has continued to work on the feature, attempting to get it to a place where it will run smoothly for iPad users. At this point, I think most iPad users are holding out for iPadOS 17.

Apple has dropped the latest beta for iPadOS 16 for developers with a registered developer account, as it needs developer input for new features and testing. Since this is beta software that we're talking about, it is highly recommended to only put the iPadOS 16 beta on a device that is dedicated for beta software and development. After all, you wouldn't want your primary device to brick because of an early software release, right?

Here's how to download and install the iPadOS 16 developer beta 3 on your best iPad.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

What's new in iPadOS 16?

October 25, 2022: Apple has released the first developer beta of iPadOS 16.2

Apple has seed the first beta of iPadOS 16.2 to developers. As per the release notes, the new beta fixes a number of issues impacting the Freeform and TV app as well as some issues with Stage Manager.

October 18, 2022: Apple has released iPadOS 16.1 RC for developers

Apple has seeded iPadOS 16.1 RC to developers. This means the public will finally be able to get their hands on iPadOS 16.1 on October 24.

October 11, 2022: Apple releases the 12th developer beta of iPadOS 16 — which becomes the sixth iPadOS 16.1 developer beta. 

Apple has seeded the 12th iPadOS 16 developer beta. Once installed, this becomes the sixth iPadOS 16.1 beta. Apple's expected to FINALLY release the first public version of iPadOS 16.x before the end of October. 

October 4, 2022: Apple releases the 11th developer beta of iPadOS 16 — which becomes the fifth iPadOS 16.1 developer beta. 

Apple has seeded the 11th iPadOS 16 developer beta. Once installed, this becomes the fifth iPadOS 16.1 beta as Apple plans to delay the release of the next iPadOS version until October. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update. 

September 27, 2022: Apple releases the 10th developer beta of iPadOS 16 — which becomes the fourth iPadOS 16.1 developer beta. 

Apple has seeded the 10th iPadOS 16 developer beta. Once installed, this becomes the fourth iPadOS 16.1 beta as Apple plans to delay the release of the next iPadOS version until October. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update. 

September 20, 2022: Apple releases the ninth developer beta of iPadOS 16 — which becomes the third iPadOS 16.1 developer beta. 

Apple has seeded the ninth iPadOS 16 developer beta. Once installed, this becomes the third PadOS 16.1 beta as Apple plans to delay the release of the next iPadOS version until October. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

September 14, 2022: Apple releases the eighth developer beta of iPadOS 16 — which becomes the second iPadOS 16.1 developer beta. 

Apple has seeded the eighth iPadOS 16 developer beta. Once installed, this becomes the second PadOS 16.1 beta as Apple plans to delay the release of the next iPadOS version until October. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

August 23, 2022: Apple releases the seventh developer beta of iPadOS 16 — which becomes the first iPadOS 16.1 developer beta. 

Apple has seeded the seventh iPadOS 16 developer beta. Once installed, this becomes the first iPadOS 16.1 beta as Apple plans to delay the release of the next iPadOS version until sometime after iOS 16. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

August 15, 2022: Apple releases the sixth developer beta of iPadOS 16

Apple has seeded the sixth iPadOS 16 developer beta. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

August 8, 2022: Apple releases the fifth developer beta of iPadOS 16

Apple has seeded the fifth iPadOS 16 developer beta. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

July 27, 2022: Apple releases the fourth developer beta of iPadOS 16

Apple has seeded the fifth iPadOS 16 developer beta. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

Apple has seeded the fourth in what will be a series of iPadOS 16 developer betas. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version on the best iPads and others that support the software update.

July 6, 2022: Apple releases the third developer beta of iPadOS 16

Apple has just released the third developer beta for iPadOS 16. This update contains bug fixes and improvements from the first beta. As always, this is beta software meant for developers to test out new features and not for the general public. Install the iPadOS 16 beta at your own risk.

June 22, 2022: Apple releases the second developer beta of iPadOS 16

Apple has just released the second developer beta for iPadOS 16. This update contains bug fixes and improvements from the first beta.

June 6, 2022: Apple launches the first developer beta of iPadOS 16

Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the first iPadOS 16 right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPad soon. With iPadOS 16, we should be seeing the first of many new features like an improved multitasking experience on the iPad, and so much more.

How to download the iPadOS Restore Image to your Mac

This first part is easy and works just like it does on any Mac operating system.

1. Navigate to developer.apple.com on your Mac.
2. Click on the Discover tab.
3. Click on iPadOS at the top of the screen.
4. Click Download in the upper right corner.
5. Log in with your developer account credentials when prompted.
6. Under iPadOS 16 beta, click on Download Restore Images.
7. Click on the iOS restore image for the device you're installing the developer beta on.

How to make an archived backup of your iPad

Before you begin, make sure you back up your iPad. While the beta process is fairly straightforward, any time you make any significant change to your device you risk problems. And with your personal data, it's always — always! — better to be safe than sorry. Even if you back up every night, you'll want to make sure it's absolutely up-to-date.

1. Connect your device to your Mac using the cable it came with.
2. Launch a Finder window.
3. Select your connected device under Locations in the sidebar of the Finder window.
4. Click Pair to pair the device to your Mac.
5. Tap Trust on the device to confirm that you want to pair it.
6. Enter your passcode on your device.
7. If you don't already have a backup on your Mac, click Back Up Now to make a backup.
8. Click Manage Backups after you've made a recent backup.
9. Right or Control click on your device backup.
10. Click Archive.
11. Click OK.

Archiving will prevent your current backup from being overwritten by an iPadOS backup in the future, should you want to revert for any reason.

How to install the iPadOS beta using your Mac

1. With your device still connected to your Mac, open a Finder window if you haven't already.
2. Select your connected device under Locations in the sidebar of the Finder window.
3. Hold down the Option key and click on Check for Updates. This will launch another window with your recent files.
4. Click on the IPSW restore image.
5. Click Open.
6. Click Update when prompted.

iTunes will now install iPadOS onto your iPad. This process will take some time, and you shouldn't unplug your iPad from your Mac until the update is complete.

How to install the iPadOS beta using a profile

Before you do anything else, make sure you have a developer account with Apple — without a paid account, you won't be able to download any non-Xcode betas.

Thanks to Apple's configuration profile, you can download iPadOS betas directly on your iPad, no Mac required!

1. Go to developer.apple.com on your iPad.
2. Tap on the "Discover" tab.
3. Tap on of the operating system buttons in the bar near the top of the screen.
4. Tap Download.
5. Log in with your developer account's username and password.
6. Go to the iPadOS 15 beta section and tap the download. This will start the process of downloading the iPadOS beta software profile on your iPad.
7. Tap Close.
8. Open Settings.
9. Tap Profile Downloaded.
10. Tap Install. You may need to enter your Passcode.
11. Agree to the Consent form and press Install once in the upper right corner, and once at the bottom of the screen.
12. Press Restart to apply the changes to your iPad.

To install the iPadOS beta, you'll need to visit Software Update on your iPad once you have the profile loaded.

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen, tap on General, then tap on Software Update.
2. Once the update appears, tap on Download and Install.
3. Enter your Passcode.
4. Tap Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
5. Tap Agree again to confirm.

Your iPad will reboot to install iPadOS 16. There will be a couple of progress bars going across the screen. Sit tight, and let everything finish.

How to get started with iPadOS beta

Once your iPad reboots, it'll be running iPadOS the latest beta. There's a brief bit of setup you'll need to go through, however, as the system will have changed enough that it'll need your login to complete the update.

1. Tap Continue.
2. Enter your Apple ID password. iCloud settings will update, so give it a minute.
3. Tap Get Started.

Once that's done, you'll be on the Home screen and ready to rock the latest iPadOS beta on your best iPad.

If you've been waiting patiently for iPadOS 16, it seems you only have a couple of more weeks to wait.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, iPadOS 16 will launch to the public the week of October 24. The journalist took to Twitter to say that the software update "is on track" to be released in two weeks:

iPadOS 16.1 is on track to be released the week of Oct. 24th — barring any new bugs or issues. Apple has historically held launches the week of its earnings calls in October.

What about an iPad and Mac October event?

If Apple is planning to release iPadOS 16.1 the last full week of October, it calls into question if the company will host an event for the iPad and Mac as it does from year to year.

Rumors continue to build about the 10th generation iPad, iPad Pro with M2 chip, and some new Macs, so it normally wouldn't be surprising to see the company host an event in October for those new devices. However, Apple is hosting its Q4 earnings call on October 27, which also happens to fall on the same week that Gurman says iPadOS 16.1 is launching.

As the journalist mentions, the company does not usually release its software updates during the same week as its earning calls. It would also be weird if it went even further and held an event in the same week. Could they? Sure. Will they? Ehhhhhhhh...

For now, let's focus on and enjoy all of the announcements that Apple has made at its recent "Far Out" event. It's time to get hyped about the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and AirPods Pro 2.

Whether it's through an event or a press release, we'll worry about iPads and Macs when the time comes.

The latest iPadOS 16 beta includes support for the new Display Zoom feature on older models for the first time. Previously, it was only offered on Apple's M1 iPad Pro tablets.

The change of heart follows another backtrack by Apple which sees Stage Manager also come to non-M1 iPad Pros, despite previous reports that it wasn't possible without the extra capabilities of those specific tablets. However, the change only appears to have been made for the 11-inch versions. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro still requires an M1 chip.

Zoom zoom

Apple first announced the iPadOS 16 update with two features that would require an M1 iPad Pro in order to work — Display Zoom and Stage Manager. Now, both of those features look set to come to iPad Pro models from 2018 and 2020, as reported by MacRumors. Those two tablets are powered by the A12X and A12Z chips, respectively.

The Display Zoom feature is one that allows iPad Pro tablets to effectively give users more screen space using display scaling. It's a feature that could be of particular use to those who have 11-inch tablet, making it all the more notable that it's the 11-inch model that will benefit here. Whether we can expect the 12.9-inch to follow suit later, we don't yet know.

Those who have the latest iPadOS 16 installed can enable Display Zoom by opening the Settings app and choosing the Display & Brightness option.

Apple's iPadOS 16 update was originally expected to launch in September 2022, but it's been delayed until October and will be renamed iPadOS 16.1 instead. Stage Manager is thought to have been the key driving force behind that decision, with beta testers pointing to bugs and performance issues as a reason Apple may want to take more time to iron out the kinks.

Make no mistake: iPhone, not the iPad, is why Apple is the largest company in the world. 

And so it will come as no surprise that, with Apple's iPhone 14 'Far Out' launch event now scheduled in for a September 7 extravaganza, all eyes in Apple fandom are now turned to the devices that fit in our pockets, rather than the two-handed tablets that slide into our rucksacks.

As you'd expect then, new iOS versions get more attention than iPadOS at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) each June, and this summer's event was no different. Apple gave a lot more attention to iOS 16 than iPadOS 16.

And yet, Apple did wait until the final segment of the keynote to announce iPadOS 16. The placement didn't go unnoticed. Although iPadOS 16 doesn't rise to the level of "one more thing," it's a significant update that deserved its slot to close the show.

With iPadOS 16, Apple continues to push the iPad toward business and creative users by adding or improving collaboration and productivity tools. The update also includes plenty of excellent new features that everyone in the family will enjoy, including a new way to share content, gaming advances, and more.

This iPadOS 16 preview isn't a review because the update still hasn't been released to the public, which will happen this fall. Its final public release has been delayed, with it now expected to co-headline alongside an iPad Pro with M2 chip during an October Apple event to follow the iPhone launch. So instead, consider this the first look at a promising new update that remains in beta.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

Remember, it remains in beta

Until at least September, iPadOS 16, along with iOS 16, remains an unfinished product. However, between now and then, Apple and its third-party developers will put the update through a beta process.

Through Apple's free public beta program, you can also experience iPadOS 16 right now. But, remember: betas are sometimes unstable and often exclude key features or tools. It can also lead to you needing to fix iPad battery life problems too. Therefore, it's a good idea to install the software on a secondary device and perform regular backups just in case.

We'll let you know whenever new developer and public betas are available.

Compatibility

Soon after iPadOS 16 was announced, Apple admitted one of the update's best new features, Stage Manager, would only work on iPads with M1 chips. Unfortunately, this means that the feature is only going to work on the existing iPad Air (2022), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021), and 11-inch iPad Pro (2021). In addition, other iPadOS 16 features won't work on all supported iPads, which we've addressed in an earlier post. Check out that report and the one that shows which tablets will work with the rest of iPadOS 16.

Best new features

As a maturing product, each new version of iPadOS 16 tends to have fewer new features than the update it replaces. The same is true for iPadOS 16, which primarily focuses on improving existing tools. Of the new features, there are three that have stood out during my early tests.

Stage Manager

The best new feature of iPadOS, Stage Manager, is also one surrounded by controversy because it will only work on the three most expensive iPads currently on the market. Stage Manager offers a new way to multitask and brings overlapping windows to the iPad for the first time. The result makes iPadOS more enjoyable to use and more like Mac, if only because it gives you more flexibility.

It's a shame most iPad users won't be able to enjoy Stage Manager, and perhaps Apple will figure out a way to bring it to more devices before the iPadOS 16 public release. As it stands, Stage Manager will be remembered as an excellent tool only available for bigger iPad spenders and not necessarily those with all the best iPads.

Live everything

Under the headline, "Intelligence," Apple's expanding Live Text to include videos in iPadOS 16, and there's also the excellent "lift subject from background" tool. Previously, the company's native OCR technology could only extract text from images, screenshots, and camera capture. The same feature now works with videos on iPad, iPhones, and Mac. However, as Christine Chan first noted in her iOS 16 preview, this only works through the native video player and not third-party apps like YouTube, which is a significant limitation.

The "lift subject from background" feature is much more promising and will benefit more iPad users. Using the feature, you can tap-and-hold on a subject from one of your images in the Photos app, thereby "lifting" it up to use elsewhere via drag-and-drop or copy-and-paste. Essentially, the image becomes a digital sticker you can use in apps like Messages and Mail. Even in the iPadOS 16 betas, this is a fun feature and will undoubtedly be hugely popular with many. I can't wait (wink, wink) to show this to my parents, who will find the feature fascinating and strange, wrapped into one.

On the live front, Apple is also introducing Live Caption, which turns audio into text in programs like FaceTime in real-time. It's a promising new accessibility tool that Apple plans on keeping in beta even after iPadOS 16 launches to everyone.

Family Sharing

Across all platforms in recent years, Apple has steadily increased the number of protection tools available to parents of minors. Tools such as Screen Time, Ask to Buy, and the ability to share (or deny) content have been well received. Unfortunately, finding these settings hasn't always been easy, although that's about to change.

With Family Sharing improvements in iPadOS 16, it's easier to manage (and add) child accounts since most of the available settings are now presented on one page. Apple has also taken some guesswork out of the process by offering recommendations based on the minor's age.

There's also a "Family Checklist," which offers tips and suggestions to manage Family Sharing better and make it more transparent about shareable features. You'll also be reminded to turn on iCloud+ options when available.

More coming

I'm also excited about two additional features coming to iPadOS 16 and other operating systems that Apple has yet to unwrap. The first, Passkeys, is a new sign-in method for Safari that Cupertino says goes beyond two-factor authentication. It's intended to eliminate phishing and data leaks and could eliminate passwords as we know them across multiple devices.

There's also Freeform, a feature Apple plans to hold for release across many platforms until late in the year. Think of Freeform as a blank slate that is shareable to others across multiple platforms. On this "flexible canvas," you can collaborate with others on projects big and small using various tools, including images, video, audio, PDFs, documents, web links, and more. Freeform works with the Apple Messages Collaboration API, which means live project interaction can happen through FaceTime. You can also share canvases through sharable links.

Best updates

Apple's iPadOS 16 is also packed with a plethora of updated features. Among these, I'm most impressed with changes coming to Photos, Mail, Messages, and News.

Photos

Our many Apple devices have hundreds, often thousands, of images just waiting to be seen by others. iPadOS 16 is making it easier to share those pictures (and videos) with other Apple users. This year, Apple's introducing the iCloud Shared Photo Library. Unlike existing photo-sharing tools, this option allows you to create a separate iCloud photo library that you can share with up to five others. These folks have equal power over the library and can edit, delete, or add content.

To add to the iCloud Shared Photo Library, you can bring over existing content, snap new ones, or take advantage of "smart suggestions." You can also have photos automatically shared that match a start date or have certain people in the images.

Apple users are limited to a single iCloud Shared Photo Library at launch. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see this number grow in time. I'm thinking that extra libraries may be available through iCloud+ as a separate purchase if Apple is going to go that route. Who knows, though.

Mail

As with iOS 16 and macOS 13 Ventura, Apple's making it a little easier to correct wrongs when sending emails. With the new unsend feature, you have 10 seconds to bring back an email for whatever reason. Ten seconds doesn't sound like much time, so I'm not sure how beneficial the unsend feature will be for most people. Still, it's a start. It's also important to note that this 10-second window basically delays the message from being sent for 10 seconds, so keep that in mind. And in iPadOS 16, Mail finally makes it possible to schedule emails to go out at a later time or date. There's also a new follow-up feature so you can better keep track of sent emails that need attention.

Messages

There's also an unsend feature coming to Messages, and here it's much more helpful. For up to 15 minutes you can edit and delete sent messages, thereby perhaps saving yourself from embarrassment. Messages are also gaining SharePlay, which should grow the popularity of one of last year's best new features that arrived first through FaceTime.

News

Finally, Apple News now offers "My Sports," where you can keep track of your favorite teams and leagues. The section includes highlights, the latest scores, schedules, and standings directly on your news feed. With Apple TV+ already airing MLB games and becoming the exclusive home to the MLS in 2023, I can see how "My Sports" might grow in the coming months as more integration gets added. And this says nothing about what might happen if NFL Sunday Ticket comes to Apple TV+ beginning with the 2023 season.

Much more is coming

This preview is by no means a final word on iPadOS 16. That will come in September via a full review when iPadOS 16 is released to the public. Until then, much more will be discovered and written about it and Apple's other software updates, including iOS 16, macOS 13 Ventura, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16. Stay tuned.

Stage Manager is driving iPadOS 16 out of a September release.

Today, Apple surprised developers by, instead of releasing the seventh beta of iPadOS 16, the company skipped ahead and released the first beta of iPadOS 16.1. In a statement to TechCrunch, Apple confirmed that iPadOS 16.0 would never see the light of day for regular users. 

Instead, the company plans to skip that entirely and release iPadOS 16.1 to the public. Apple says that the release will come out this fall but will not come at the same time as iOS 16.

“This is an especially big year for iPadOS. As its own platform with features specifically designed for iPad, we have the flexibility to deliver iPadOS on its own schedule. This Fall, iPadOS will ship after iOS, as version 16.1 in a free software update.”

Apple appears to be trying to fix Stage Manager

One of the headlining features of iPadOS 16 is Stage Manager and, while the experience has generally gone well for Mac users, that has not been the case for many users trying to use the window management feature on iPadOS.

With the first developer beta of iPadOS 16.1, Apple seems to being trying to fix the feature so it is ready for prime time later this fall. According to the report from TechCrunch, the new developer beta allows users to "resurface the Stage Manager side rail with a gesture while the feature is full screen."

Fittingly, an upgrade to Stage Manager is the headline update here. I’ve grown to really appreciate Stage Manager on the desktop, but using it on a tablet presents its own unique set of parameters, including a smaller screen size and default touchscreen interaction. The big update this time out is the ability to resurface the Stage Manager side rail with a gesture while the feature is full screen. The other updates with 16.1 are the standard spate of beta bug updates

iPadOS 16.1 will release this fall sometime after iOS 16 is released to the public. Many speculate that Apple will release iPadOS 16 in October to coincide with a rumored event that is expected to contain new iPad and Macs.

What you need to know

• The latest iPadOS 16 beta includes improvements to Stage Manager on M1 iPads.
• Non-iPad apps can now be used in Stage Manager for the first time.
• iPhone apps like Instagram now behave as if they were iPad apps.

Instagram might actually be usable on your iPad once iPadOS 16 arrives later this year, with Stage Manager being the feature that will make it all possible.

The latest iPadOS 16 developer beta includes improvements to Stage Manager, a new windows multitasking mode that will debut this fall. With this beta, Twitter users have noticed that even iPhone apps can now take part in multitasking, making it easier to use apps like Instagram alongside others. Any other App Store app that doesn't have an iPad-specific version will work just as well, too.

Let's hope Instagram doesn't see this as a reason not to give us that iPad app we've been screaming for.

Stage Manager is a new option, limited to M1 iPad Pro and iPad Air hardware currently, that allows multiple apps to run concurrently. The same feature is also coming to the Mac via macOS Ventura. Stage Manager will support window resizing, fast app switching, external displays, and more.

Running an iPhone app in Stage Manager does still only give you a small window, just as you'd expect. But the result is something that's better than the previous full-screen option we were used to and makes for improved multitasking options once iPadOS 16 arrives.

Apple is expected to make iPadOS 16 available alongside iOS 16 and a raft of other updates in or around September, around the same time that we expect the iPhone 14 lineup to also be made available.

If you're an avid iPad user, the announcement of iPadOS 16 seemed like a dream at first. Much better multitasking with Apple's new Stage Manager and full external display support were some of the most requested features from the community. Unfortunately, all those good feelings quickly disappeared for many users as they realized those requested features wouldn't work with their current iPads.

That's right, iPadOS 16 is gatekeeping Stage Manager — its most innovative and important feature — for M1 iPads only, leaving a ton of people with slightly older iPads out in the dark. Plus, that's not the only feature that many iPad users won't be able to use, making iPadOS 16 a much more complicated story. In fact, I think iPadOS 16 has the potential to ruin the best thing about Apple.

Tarnishing Apple's reputation of support

When you hear comparisons of the best iPads, iPhones, and other Apple devices to the competition, you'll often hear people praise Apple for how long they support devices. I've said this before myself because ongoing support, updates, and security patches for your device are so important and one of the best reasons that Apple's devices — especially flagship devices — are worth the investment. Heck, the current iOS 15 still supports the iPhone 6S, a phone that's six (almost seven) years old. But I'm afraid iPadOS 16 is going to change all that.

When iPadOS 16 launches, the iPad Pro (2020), a device that's only two years old, will be lacking major features that Apple has added to the software. There's no doubt in my mind that iPad Pro (2020) users will be underwhelmed when they update their iPads to iPadOS 16 and feel very much left out by Apple's choices. The iPad Pro (2020) will likely feel like it's on life support, getting just enough of an update to be alive, but it will likely feel much past its time.

Software should make old hardware better when it can

I know that the M1 chip is powerful, and Apple says said that the M1 chip is needed to make Stage Manager possible, but shouldn't software make older hardware better when it can, and not just ignore it?

If Stage Manager truly can't run on the A12Z Bionic of the iPad Pro (2020), surely Apple could have added some other update to give the iPad Pro (2020) a little more oomph when it comes to multitasking — especially since it has been such a highly requested feature from so many users. Some sort of simpler version, or a different feature altogether, would have gone a long way to keeping Apple's promise of support for its devices going strong.

It is still early

If there's one saving grace to all of this, it's that the beta for iPadOS 16 just came out, and there is plenty of time for things to change.

It's probably safe to say that Stage Manager and all its features won't come to older iPads, but that's not to say that iPadOS 16 can't still make older iPads feel alive again. There are more features to dive into and plenty more time before iPadOS 16 official launches.

I hope this doesn't start a new trend for Apple where their devices don't feel like they have long-term support via software updates because all the best features are only on the latest models.

At this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple waited until the end of its annual keynote address to reveal iPadOS 16 and the iPad software's terrific list of new features. Unfortunately, what it didn't mention at the time is that many of these features only work on three iPads, while some others are even more limiting.

Here's a look at the iPadOS 16 features exclusive to certain iPads.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

General iPadOS 16 support

As previously noted, the base version of iPadOS 16 will work on the following iPads:

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch
• iPad (9th generation)
• iPad (8th generation)
• iPad (7th generation)
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad (5th generation)
• iPad mini (6th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad Air (4th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)

The notable cuts from iPadOS 16 include the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4, both of which could run iPadOS 15.

Call it "iPadOS 16 Pro"

The second tier of iPadOS 16 features are those that will only work on the 2020 iPad Pro and later. These include:

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)

Exclusive features at this level involve Accessibility (via Apple):

• Detection Mode in Magnifier: Get rich descriptions of your surroundings with a new Magnifier mode that contains Door Detection, People Detection, and Image Descriptions.
• Door Detection in Magnifier: Locate a door, read signs or labels around it, and get instructions on how to open the door.

One iPadOS 16 system feature works on the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation), and iPad Air (5th generation) with 256GB storage only:

• Virtual Memory Swap: iPad storage can be used to expand the available memory for all apps and delivers up to 16 gigabytes of memory for the most demanding apps.

Call it "iPadOS 16 Max"

Perhaps the most popular feature of iPadOS 16, Stage Manager, only works on M1 iPads. These models include:

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Air (5th generation)

Stage Manager offers the following features:

• Resizable windows: Resize your windows to make them the perfect size for your task. You can even move them to the stage.
• Center app: Focus on the app you're working on without going full screen. The app is positioned prominently in the center, at a size that makes it easy to work with.
• Fast access to windows and apps: The window of the app you're working in is displayed prominently in the center, and your other apps are arranged on the left side in order of recent use.
• Overlapping windows: Create overlapping windows of different sizes in a single view, giving you the control and flexibility to arrange your ideal workspace.
• Group apps together: Drag and drop windows from the side or open apps from the Dock to create app sets that you can always tap to get back into.

Call it "iPadOS 16 Max Plus"

Two features only work on M1 iPad Pro models, including the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) and iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation):

• Access apps on external display: Access your favorite apps and the ones that you used recently from the Dock, or use App Library to find the app you want faster.
• Drag and drop between iPad and external display: Drag and drop files and windows from your iPad Pro to your external display, and vice versa.

Call it "iPad OS 16 Ultra"

Finally, two iPadOS 16 features only work on one iPad, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation). Both features involve new display modes:

• Reference Mode: Enables the 12.9‑inch iPad Pro with Liquid Retina XDR display to deliver reference color for popular color standards and video formats.
• Reference Mode with Sidecar: Use iPad Pro as a secondary reference display for your Mac.

iPadOS 16 is certainly segmented

As you can see, not all iPads are equal when it comes to iPadOS 16. Unfortunately, even some of our favorite iPads haven't made the entire list.

Keep in mind that iPadOS 16 remains in beta and the features' requirements can change before the software makes its public release. If support requirements change, this post will receive an update.

Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) is always a big deal, as it gives us a sneak peek at what's coming for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. This year, we got a taste of what's next for iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and watchOS 9, as well as a surprise reveal of a redesigned MacBook Air with M2. As you can tell, it was definitely a jam-packed event with a lot of goodies.

While many are swooning over the changes coming in iOS 16, there's also a lot to love about what we're getting with iPadOS 16 (and everything else we got from WWDC). In fact, this update is bringing the iPad closer to a laptop replacement than ever before, and perhaps it could potentially be a thing by the time the general release comes out.

We may not have a Calculator app yet, but hey, Weather is finally here!

First things first — we still don't have a native Calculator app on the iPad, hilariously enough. But after 12 years, we are FINALLY getting Weather on the iPad.

I mean, it's not like Weather wasn't exactly on the iPad before. It was, but only as a widget. With iOS 16, Weather is now a full-fledged app that looks and feels similar to the one we have on our favorite iPhone. This means those gorgeous animations, detailed weather conditions and climate information: all on a large screen

Honestly, it's shocking that it took 12 years for this to happen. And yet, we still don't have a calculator. Hopefully, it's not another 12 years before we see Calculator on iPad.

Stage Manager and external display support boost M1 iPad productivity levels

Stage Manager is the new multitasking interface in iPadOS 16. With Stage Manager, you'll be able to resize and have overlapping windows. And when you enable the actual Stage Manager feature, the current app that you're working in can take center stage on your screen.

And things only get even better if you use an external display, which is now fully supported. Previously, external displays would only mirror what was on your iPad screen. But now in iPadOS 16, your iPad wallpaper and Dock will extend to the external display, while your current apps remain on the iPad's screen. The external display will be able to do things like launch Stage Manager if you move your iPad cursor to the display and launch an app from your iPad's Dock.

With Stage Manager and an external display combined, one could have a total of eight apps running at once in iPadOS 16. There are also improvements to desktop-class apps, as well as a new display mode: Display Scaling, and Reference Mode for color-critical workflows.

Compared to how you could only really have three apps on the screen at once before, this is a serious boon for productivity and brings the iPad more in line with a laptop than ever before. I've tried to use an iPad exclusively to do work before, and it was so restrictive to the point it was frustrating. But with Stage Manager and full external display support, things may be looking up for iPads to be taken seriously as a work machine.

It's unfortunate that only M1 iPads will make the most out of iPadOS 16

As excited as I am about those powerful productivity features, I'm also very disappointed that only M1 iPads are able to use them. I have a 2020 iPad Pro, which was pretty expensive at the time, and just two years later, I'm locked out of some amazing iPadOS features? Very disappointing.

For those who are wondering, Apple claims that features like Stage Manager need an M1 iPad because of how Virtual Memory Swap works on an M1, which helps speed up multitasking. As of this writing, that means only the 2021 iPad Pros or the iPad Air 5 will receive this update.

When you buy an Apple product, one of the reasons is longevity. The fact that my iPad — which is only two years old at this point — is already "obsolete" enough for new features, is infuriating. I guess I'll either have to drop some dough for an M1 iPad to try out Stage Manager or just live without it (and probably continue to be locked out of future features). I mean, I get it — Apple is transitioning to M1 for almost everything, but I know I'm not the only one that is annoyed by this.

The future of iPadOS is powered by Apple silicon

Despite my annoyance with the M1 limitation on big features, I am happy to see where iPadOS 16 is going. I've lamented before that the best iPad is not a serious work machine because iPadOS is so restricting, but iPadOS 16 is turning the tables. At least in the future, when I finally get an M1 iPad, I know that I can actually be productive with it.

Apple announced many new software updates at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Some of the best new features are coming to the iPad with iPadOS 16. I've had a short opportunity to take the first iPadOS 16 developers beta out for a test drive. I'll be digging deeper into the operating system in the coming weeks and months. I've quickly identified my favorite iPadOS 16 features and a few things I'm concerned about, at least for now. Take a look.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

Stage Manager

Pretty much the same reasons I'm excited about Stage Manager on Mac are the ones that make me excited about its entry on iPad. The new feature provides a fresh way to multitask on the tablet. In this case, for the first time, you can have overlapping windows in a single view. The feature should make it easier to switch between apps and create the perfect workspace since you can also resize apps.

I'm all for bringing more organization tools to my iPad Air, and I can't wait to spend more time testing Stage Manager in the coming days. At least for now, it looks like my favorite new feature across two separate platforms, iPad and Mac. Still, it won't be available on all the best iPads, as you can read below.

Weather App

I want someone at Apple to explain why the native Weather App hasn't arrived on the iPad until now. It's a no-brainer. This should have happened before. Regardless, thank you, Apple; it's about time.

Desktop-class Apps

Before WWDC, we heard rumors Apple was planning on making iPadOS more like macOS. Honestly, I'm not sure we saw this during the keynote address, even though Stage Manager pushes iPadOS a little bit in that direcion.

Apple's decision to bring "desktop-class apps" to the iPad could prove most interesting on this front.

According to Apple, desktop-class apps will "enable new capabilities optimized for the iPad display, from system elements and interactions to new features available on Mac." These will include " a consistent undo and redo experience across the system, a redesigned find-and-replace experience, customizable toolbars, the ability to change file extensions and view folder size in Files, and more."

All this sounds good, but it's probably best to play a wait-and-see game. Over the years, Apple has promised a more desktop-like experience on the iPad, and it never delivered. So perhaps now is the time it happens.

Apple News: My Sports

Another favorite I can't wait to see on iPad (and Mac) is the addition of "My Sports" on the Apple News app. The feature will make it easier to find content about your favorite sports teams and check the latest scores in just a few clicks. Unfortunately, the tool isn't available on the first iOS 16 developer beta. Hopefully, it will arrive on the next one in the coming weeks.

Handoff in FaceTime

As a single parent, I often end the day with a FaceTime goodnight to my daughter. These conversations usually begin on my iPhone, even though my iPad is often in the same room. With Apple's new lineup of software features, it will soon be possible to start a FaceTime conversation on one device and seamlessly move to the other. If this is as impressive as Universal Control, definitely sign me up. It's another one of those iPadOS 16 tools I can't wait to use regularly.

Not everything is peachy

I saw nothing about iPadOS 16 that made me cringe, even though I'm likely to enjoy some new features more than others. Instead, my biggest beef with iPadOS 16 has to do with support or lack thereof.

As I already mentioned about macOS 13 Ventura, one of the most promising new features across Apple platforms is Freeform, a collaborative tool for creatives. Unfortunately, this feature is going the route Universal Control took last year. However, Freeform was announced with the rest of iPadOS 16, etc. Apple was quick to explain online the feature was coming "later this year." In other words, not in September or October when the rest of iPadOS 16 gets released.

Taking a "later this year" approach seems dumb for software features, and I don't understand why Apple continues to do it. A better solution would be to hold off and announce these tools nearer to when they get released. Apple, new software features announced outside of WWDC are always welcomed!

I'll end where I began with Stage Manager. The one thing that's wrong with my favorite new iPad feature is its limited availability. At least for now, Apple's only making the feature available on the iPad Air (5th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation), and iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation). In WWDC discussions, Apple suggests the speedy M1 chip is required to run Stage Manager smoothly. Maybe this is true, and I do not doubt Apple on this. Still, it's a shame that a costly iPad Pro released just two years ago is missing out on a multitasking feature that would enhance its usefulness.

The team at iMore can't wait to discover all the new features of iPadOS 16. As we do, we'll let you know. Stay tuned!

What you need to know

• Apple announced iPadOs 16 this week at WWDC.
• New major upgrades include multitasking and more pro features.
• A new virtual memory swap feature will unlock 16GB of RAM for the most demanding apps.

Apple's new iPadOS 16 software features a new Virtual Memory Swap feature that Android users have been enjoying for some time.

The company unveiled iPadOS 16 on Monday at WWDC 2022, bringing with it major new upgrades to multitasking, external display support, collaboration, and more.

Several major upgrades have been reserved for Apple's M1 iPads, the iPad Air and M1 iPad Pro (2021), including a brand new Virtual Memory Swap feature that will sound very familiar to Android and Windows users.

From Apple:

Virtual Memory Swap takes storage space on the iPad and turns it into virtual memory, unlocking more RAM for really intensive tasks and improved multitasking, a big important feature now the iPad supports a much more expansive array of multitasking options including expanded full-screen support.

As noted, this needs the power of the M1 chip, so you'll have to be using one of Apple's best iPads to take advantage of it. The same is true of Stage Manager, borrowed from macOS Ventura as a new way to handle real multitasking and resizable windows on iPad.

The first developer beta of iPadOS is out now!

Here's everything Apple announced at WWDC 2022

Apple has taken the wraps off of the next major iPad software update — iPadOS 16 — and it is jammed packed with updates that will change how we work and play come this fall. For this year's update, Apple is making considerable changes to multi-tasking, enhancing collaboration in the iPad's built-in apps, and is even introducing a few new apps. Here's everything you need to know about iPadOS 16.

Compatibility

Apple's iPad is known for its longevity, and as you would expect, iOS 16 plays nicely with tons of iPad models. Here are all of the iPads that will support iPadOS 16 according to Apple:

• iPad (5th generation)
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad (7th generation)
• iPad (8th generation)
• iPad (9th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad mini (6th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Air (4th generation)
• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 11-inch
• iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)

However, despite being compatible with lots of the best iPad models, it should be noted that some features may not be available on all iPads. More on this later.

iOS 16 updates

Before we dive into iPad-specific features, since iPadOS and iOS share a similar foundation, Apple's tablet will benefit from iOS 16 enhancements over on the iPhone. These features include SharePlay and messaging upgrades, dictation changes, and more. For more on what is included in iOS 16, head on over to our iOS 16 FAQ for the details.

Multi-tasking and windows

As previously rumored, significant changes are coming to the iPad this fall regarding multi-tasking and windows. Starting in iOS 16, iPad users will be able to re-size and overlap windows thanks to a new Stage Manager feature, which is also available on macOS Ventura. Essentially, Stage Manager creates a "stage" of sorts for your apps, with the current app in the center of your screen.

If you want to take advantage of multi-tasking with Stage Manager, you can re-size your current full-screen app by dragging a corner. Once you re-size your app, iPadOS will show recently-used apps to the left of your existing app and the dock at the bottom of the screen. You can switch between apps by simply tapping on a window or app icon.

Stage Manager also enables you to overlap windows by dragging an app over to the side of your current app. Stage Manager will automatically position your apps to provide a larger view while focusing on the app you just brought over. If you need to see more content in your apps, you can always re-size and re-position your apps.

However, it's important to note that Stage Manager is only available on iPads with the M1 chip. This is due to how Virtual Memory Swap on the M1 chip helps speed up multitasking, making Stage Manager possible. So as of right now, Stage Manager is a feature that is only available on the 2021 iPad Pros or the fifth-generation iPad Air.

External display support

Another finally addition to the iPad in iPadOS 16 is full external display support. While iPadOS has previously supported external monitors, it was constrained as it essentially mirrored what was on your iPad's screen. It also didn't take advantage of broader aspect ratios for all apps.

When connecting a compatible iPad running iPadOS 16, your wallpaper and dock will extend to your external display while your existing app windows will stay on your iPad's screen. If you move your iPad's cursor to the external display and launch an app from the dock, it will open in Stage Manager on your external display. From there, you can drag-and-drop files, group apps and windows together, and of course, re-size and overlap windows.

In total, you can run up to eight apps on-screen simultaneously across your ipad and external display. However, as you might expect, you will need a more recent, M1-equipped iPad to take advantage of these powerful new features. Compatible models include the iPad Air (5th generation), the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation), and the iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation).

Display scaling and Reference Mode

Sticking with displays, iPadOS 16 also introduces a couple of new display modes. The first of which is called display scaling, which allows you to adjust the pixel density on your iPad to maximize the amount of content you see — which could be incredibly handy when using Split View. As with other multi-tasking features, display scaling requires an M1 iPad.

The other new display mode is Reference Mode. Suited for color-critical workflows, Reference Mode allows the iPad to display reference color standards for photo and video editing. Again, Reference Mode doesn't apply to all iPads as it requires the latest generation iPad Pro 12.9 and a Mac with Apple Silicon.

Desktop-class apps

With iPadOS 16's fancy new multi-tasking features, Apple also takes apps to the next level with additional "desktop-class" enhancements. Some examples in Apple's built-in iPad apps include customizable toolbars, search fields that appear in the exact location across apps, context menus that allow for multiple selections and actions, in-line undo and redo options, find and replace, and more.

Apple also mentioned app-specific desktop-class features in iPadOS 16. One of which is for the Files app, where you will be able to change file extensions and access additional details about your documents and folders. In the Mail app, you can drag and drop contacts for quick sharing, while the Calendar app will allow you to see the availability of participants invited to a meeting.

Weather

Speaking of apps, iPadOS 16 will bring a full-fledged built-in Weather app to Apple's tablet for the first time. Previously only available as a widget, Weather on the iPad will look and feel similar to the app on your iPhone with the same playful animations for weather conditions and detailed climate information — just on a larger scale.

On the iPad, you will be able to see modules for a 10-day forecast, hourly forecast, precipitation, UV index, and more, all at a glance. Tapping a weather module will provide additional details, charts, and projections. For developers, Apple has introduced WeatherKit, which allows them to build Apple's weather data right into third-party apps.

Freeform and colloboration

While it won't launch with iPadOS 16, Apple will be bringing another new app to the iPad, iPhone, and Mac later this year called Freeform. Essentially, Freeform is a whiteboard app that allows users to share links, Apple Pencil sketches and notes, diagrams, and more with others in real-time. Edits made to a board are shown to others with the collaborator's name, and visual indicators highlight the exact spot that is being updated.

Other new collaborative features in iPadOS 16 include a way to initiate sharing of a document with others right from the share sheet. If you have a team or group conversation already going on, you can share a collaborative document with everyone with just a tap instead of sending each person a link. Documents shared via the share sheet are also no longer copies, so you can keep everything nice in tidy in one file.

Once people join a document that you are sharing, you will see a new toolbar item in Apple's apps that lists all participants and allows for initiating FaceTime calls. Shared documents will provide notifications for any edits, and if you are sharing via Messages, you will see update alerts for anything you might have missed while away.

Handwriting improvements

Despite not being announced during the WWDC Keynote, Apple is also introducing a pretty significant feature for those that like to handwrite on the iPad called — Handwriting Straightening. As the name suggests, iPadOS 16 will allow users to clean up their handwritten notes with a new option that will automatically align text.

Using the feature in iPadOS 16 requires just a couple of taps as it follows the same process that we already use for selecting text. Just tap and drag over your notes, and you will be presented with a new Straighten option alongside existing options for things such as copy and paste.

iPadOS 16 availability

iPadOS 16 is now available for download for registered developers, with a public beta coming next month. For the rest of us, iPadOS 16 will be available for free sometime in the fall, presumably alongside the introduction of new iPhone and iPad models.

Apple has revealed the next generation of iPadOS at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) keynote. While developers will be able to snag the betas very soon, the general release for iPadOS 16 won't be until the fall, usually around the time new iPhones are dropping.

We know that iPadOS 16 will of course run on the newest iPad models, but what if you're still using an older one? Here are all of the iPads that are able to run iPadOS 16.

Compatibility changes

When Apple released iPadOS 15, it was able to run on any iPad that could have iPadOS 14. Here's that full device list:

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch
• iPad (9th generation)
• iPad (8th generation)
• iPad (7th generation)
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad (5th generation)
• iPad mini (6th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad mini 4
• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad Air (4th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Air 2

Unfortunately, some older iPad models did not make the cut this time around, which is understandable. Here's the full list of supported iPads for iPadOS 16:

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch
• iPad (9th generation)
• iPad (8th generation)
• iPad (7th generation)
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad (5th generation)
• iPad mini (6th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad Air (4th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)

As you can see, noteable cuts include the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4.

Did your iPad make the cut?

As you can see from the list, Apple has dropped support for some older models that are now considered obsolete. However, all things considered, they had a nice, long run. Hopefully, your best iPad made the cut and you're able to enjoy iPadOS 16 and all of its goodies this fall.