Apple announced iPadOS 16, along with iOS 16 and macOS Ventura, back in June 2022. After several months of beta testing, the company then released the stable versions of these operating systems to the public. iPadOS 16 comes packed with plenty of new additions and improvements, including a proper multitasking feature. These introductions only make the great iPad even greater. Here's everything you need to know about iPadOS 16: compatibility, release date, fresh features, and more.
iPadOS 16 release date and availability
Apple released iPadOS 16.1 to the public on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022. The company skipped iPadOS 16.0 and delayed the initial public release as it worked on stabilizing the performance of the operating system. Users with eligible iPad models can go ahead and download iPadOS 16.1.
The following iPad devices support iPadOS 16:
- iPad 5 and later
- iPad Air 3 and later
- All iPad Pro models
- iPad Mini 4 and later
What's new in iPadOS 16
iOS and macOS enhancements
First and foremost, Apple pointed out that many of the same features that it introduced in iOS 16 and macOS Ventura are also available on iPadOS 16. These include a shared photo library, shared tab groups, and passkeys in Safari. The shared photo library is an automatic library of photos shared between members of your family group that all family members have access to add, edit, or remove photos. Photos can be added automatically by date range or by identifying who is in the photos.
Additionally, iPadOS gets shared tab groups and password-less sign-in. As previously reported, Microsoft, Google, and Apple are all working together to eliminate passwords where possible. Apple is fully embracing the concept in the newest versions of all its platforms.
Weather app
Apple also introduced a brand new Weather app to the iPad. The new app takes full advantage of the large display and includes animated backgrounds reflecting current weather conditions. Each module in the weather app can be tapped to provide additional data. Apple has also built WeatherKit APIs for developers to build Weather into their iPad apps.
Collaboration in iPadOS 16
Collaboration is the real-time sharing of an original document, so everyone can work on it simultaneously. It's rather like Google Docs, but what's neat is that you can initiate a collaboration through Messages or FaceTime directly from the share sheet. Just select Collaborate and select the conversation where you want to share it.
You can also share tab groups from Safari with the group. When you do, you'll see icons of who is looking at what tab in real time. Additionally, Apple is opening up APIs to allow third-party developers to utilize collaboration if they want.
Freeform
Freeform is a large, whiteboard-like collaborative space where a group can all work together using tools similar to those found in Notes with different brushes and sticky notes, photos, etc. It's an infinite space in which you use touch to drag the interface around and pinching to zoom in and out. We've prepared a complete guide on how to use the Freeform app.
Metal 3 and other gaming enhancements
For the first time, iPadOS 16 is bringing Metal 3 APIs to the iPad. Apple is looking for iPads to be gaming machines with Metal 3-enabled, hardware-accelerated 3D graphics. Additionally, Apple has a new API that allows larger asset packs to download in the background while you play the game.
With your Game Center account, you can find friends, track progress in various games, and view leader boards for various games. Gaming on iOS has largely been the domain of phones. However, Apple is pushing to get more gamers onto the iPad. It has designed these moves to do just that.
Desktop class apps and system-wide features
Apple is rolling out a number of desktop-class apps and features system-wide on the iPad. It's an extensive list, but some of the featured ones included Undo/Redo across the system, availability view in Calendar, and the ability to find and merge cards in Contacts. You can also change file extensions and view folder sizes in the Files app.
Apple also rolled out a system-wide find and replace that works in-line. It additionally added a document menu in Files, Pages, and Keynote that allows you to perform common actions. Finally, it has added the ability to customize your toolbars in some apps, which allows you to access your most-used tools.
Stage Manager
Stage Manager is Apple's new multitasking interface for macOS, and it's here on iPadOS 16 as well. The OS allows you to create workspaces with overlapping windows that you can move and resize. Then, Stage Manager will organize your apps into different groups and move them off to the side so you can interact with your main task front and center. It's a quick way to move between tasks, which will make your compatible iPad that much better at multitasking. Federighi called it the "foundation for a big leap forward in user experience. One that can change how our pro users get work done on iPad."
Reference Color
Reference mode is only available on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Pro users need accurate colors to complete their work. According to Federighi, "Reference mode meets the color requirements in workflows like review and approve color grading, and compositing. Where accurate colors and consistent image quality are critical. Standalone device or using sidecar."
M1/M2 enhancements
Finally, there are many improvements that take advantage of the M1/M2 processor in higher-tier iPads. You can use display scaling to increase the density of pixels in the display and give you more room to work. You can also use virtual memory swap, which means you can use iPad memory as virtual RAM for up to 16 GB of virtual memory for demanding apps.
Apple Music Sing
iPadOS 16.2 introduces Apple Music Sing, a feature that allows subscribers to enjoy a karaoke experience on their iPads. This addition uses AI to de-emphasize the vocals and turn the track into an almost purely instrumental one. It supports beat-by-beat lyrics views, duets, and much more.
Advanced Data Protection
Additionally, iPadOS 16.2 allows users to end-to-end encrypt 24 iCloud data types, such as notes, photos, and device backups. Thanks to Advanced Data Protection, users can now depend on E2E encryption to safeguard almost all of their cloud-stored file types instead of being limited to just 14.
With iPadOS 16, Apple truly brought the iPad a step closer to becoming a laptop replacement. After all, users can now utilize a proper multitasking feature with support for resizeable windows and external displays. That's not to mention the improved collaboration, virtual memory swap, and desktop-class apps.
Apple iPad 10
$399 $449 Save $50The iPad 10 introduces a complete chassis overhaul and offers four bold colors. It packs the A14 Bionic chip and supports the Apple Pencil 1.
Apple iPad Air (2022)
$499.99 $599.99 Save $100The 2022 5th-generation iPad Air is powered by the Apple M1 processor, it supports 5G for the first time, and it comes in an array of beautiful colors.
Apple iPad Pro M2
The iPad Pro M2 (2022) is available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch variants. It's the highest-end tablet the company sells, featuring a stunning display, Apple Pencil 2 support, and much more.
Which iPadOS 16 feature is your favorite, and why? Let us know in the comments section below.
