Apple previewed its latest software for iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad during its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) at the beginning of June. 

Plenty of features have now arrived on iPhone with the launch of iOS 16 and a few extra features have also arrived on Apple Watch with watchOS 9, but there are a few new features heading for iPad too with iPadOS 16.

This is everything you need to know about iPadOS 16, including when it will be released, what features it will bring to your iPad, how you can try it out and what iPad models are compatible.

iPadOS 16 release date

  • Unveiled date: 6 June 2022
  • Release date: 24 October 2022

Apple announced the next major software upgrade for iPad during WWDC in the form of iPadOS 16. The preview was revealed on 6 June 2022, with the developer beta and public beta both available.

Apple said the final build of iPadOS 16 would arrive "this fall". Usually, "this fall" means September, around a week after the next iPhone and Apple Watch models are revealed and alongside iOS 16 and watchOS 9. That wasn't the case for this year though.

Apple delayed the iPadOS 16 software release for 2022. Rather than September, it arrived on 24 October.

iPadOS 16: Which iPads are compatible?

Apple typically offers several years of software updates for its devices, more than most Android manufacturers. If your iPad isn't on the list though, it's probably because its hardware isn't powerful enough to run some of the features. Occasionally, your iPad might be compatible with the software but not specific features.

Here is the full list of iPads compatible with iPadOS 16:

  • iPad Pro (all models)
  • iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
  • iPad (5th generation and later)
  • iPad mini (5th generation and later) 

iPadOS 16: Features

Here are all the features coming to your iPad with iPadOs 16. Sadly, iPad doesn't get the Lock Screen capabilities iPhone will get with iOS 16, but it does get many of the iOS 16 features and a couple of extras.

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Apple

Stage Manager

A feature called Stage Manager arrives with iPadOS 16, allowing you to have overlapping windows in a single view - like Mac - for the first time on iPad, whilst also allowing you to resize windows and switch between apps with one tap. Up to four apps can be open at once. 

You can read all about Stage Manager in our separate feature to get the low down on what it will allow for. This is one of the biggest iPad changes with iPadOS 16.

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Apple

Photos

Photos gets a couple of changes, including iCloud Shared Photo Library that allows you to share photos and videos easily with five other people. You'll be able to choose what to include based on start date or the people in the photos and everyone has equal permissions for adding, editing and deleting photos in the shared library.

There is even a button in the camera app that allows you to take a photo and add it directly to the shared photo library.

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Apple

Messages

With iPadOS 16, you can edit a Message in iMessage up to 15 minutes after it has been sent. You can also unsend a Message and mark any Message thread as unread. 

Other changes to Messages include the addition of SharePlay - previously restricted to FaceTime - that allows you to watch something directly in Messages in sync with a friend, whilst continuing your message conversation.

Additionally, you can share notes, presentations, reminders, Safari Tab Groups and more in Messages with iPadOS 16 to start collaborating instantly and see updates on shared projects in the thread.

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Apple

Mail

There are a number of changes to Mail, including the ability to schedule emails and unsend emails. There's also better search with iPadOS 16 and Mail will alert you if you forget an attachment too.

Security

iPadOS 16 brings a couple of updates to privacy and security. The hidden photos and recently deleted photo albums will be locked by default and you'll also be able to lock a note with Face ID, Touch ID or your password, rather than having to remember a different password.

Safari

With iPadOS 16, there is a feature called Passkeys coming to Safari that offers a more secure and easier way to sign in. There's also Shared Tab Groups coming, allowing you to share tabs and bookmarks, send messages and start FaceTime straight from Safari.

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Apple

Weather

iPadOS 16 finally brings the Weather app from iPhone onto iPad, offering minute-by-minute updates, 10-day forecasts and details about air quality, local forecasts and more by tapping forecast modules.

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Apple

Display

A feature called Display Scaling Mode comes to iPad with iPadOS 16, allowing you change the resolution of your display to fit more onto the screen. By increasing the pixel density of the display, you can view more in your apps - helpful when using Split View.

The 12.9‑inch iPad Pro will also be able to display reference colour for popular colour standards, as well as SDR and HDR video formats with iPadOS 16.

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Apple

Gaming

Gaming gets an update too with iPadOS 16, with a redesigned Game Center dashboard that allows you to see how your friend's are doing and compete with their high score. SharePlay is also coming to gaming with iPadOS 16, allowing you to join and play games together. During a multiplayer game that uses Game Center, you'll be able to start a SharePlay session and easily bring in your friends.

Live Text and Visual Look Up

There are a few updates coming to Live Text including the ability to pause a video on any frame that contains text to copy, translate, look up and share. There are also quick actions that make it easier to call phone numbers, visit websites, convert currencies and translate languages.

For Visual Look Up - which is a great feature - you will be able to lift the subject from an image, or isolate a subject by removing the background.

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Apple

Home

The Home app has been redesigned for iPadOS 16 with a new Home tab to easily navigate smart home devices, as well as a new multi-camera view and new categories for climate, lights and security. Matter compatibility will also be coming.

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Apple

Family Sharing

Several updates are coming to Family Sharing with iPadOS 16, including easier management of child accounts. There will be a Family Checklist that will offer tips and suggestions to get the most out of Family Sharing, like updating children's settings as they get older. There will also be a Quick Start option to easily set up a new iPhone or iPad for your child with all the appropriate parental controls already in place.

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Apple

Freeform

Freeform is a productivity app that allows you to sketch and jot down notes with Apple Pencil, share files and insert web links, documents, video and audio. You'll be able to invite collaborators, share a link and start working together straight away. As people add thoughts and additions, you can see changes in real time.

FaceTime

FaceTime got a big update in iPadOS 15 but iPadOS 16 brings Handoff. This means you can switch between your Mac, iPhone and iPad with just a tap, and a connected Bluetooth headset switches over too.