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

Plenty of features have now arrived on iPhone with the launch ofiOS 16and a few extra features have also arrived onApple WatchwithwatchOS 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 whatiPad modelsare compatible.

Apple iPad (2022)

Apple’s 10th-generation iPad is over two years old, but still is good for basic tasks like the browsing the web or watching videos.

iPadOS 16 release date

Apple announced the next major software upgrade for iPad during WWDC in the form of iPadOS 16. The preview was revealed on 06 June 2025, 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 thenext iPhoneandApple Watch modelsare 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:

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.

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

Photosgets 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.

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 toMessagesinclude the addition ofSharePlay- 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.

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.

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 withFace ID,Touch IDor your password, rather than having to remember a different password.

With iPadOS 16, there is a feature calledPasskeyscoming 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.

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.

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 andHDRvideo formats with iPadOS 16.

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 toLive Textincluding 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.

ForVisual 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.

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.Mattercompatibility will also be coming.

Family Sharing

Several updates are coming toFamily Sharingwith 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.

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 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.