What’s coming in iPadOS 18?
During the WWDC keynote in June, Apple announced iPadOS 18, which will arrive this fall along with iOS 18, macOS 15, and watchOS 11. As always, many of the new features are also part of iOS 18, including Apple Intelligence, which will launch in beta and gradually add features throughout 2025. But there are also some exciting new things just for iPad users, including at long last a new Calculator app.
If you want to know what’s coming this fall, we’ve broken down all the things you need to know about iPadOS 18. This includes which models will be compatible with iPadOS 18, how you can get and install the beta releases to try the software out early, plus the new features you can expect when the full version launches later this year and any beta developments. So, stay tuned to this superguide for everything you need to know about iPadOS 18 for more information as the release date nears.iPadOS 18: Release date
Apple has yet to officially confirm specifically when the iPadOS 18 launch date will be, but looking at past releases it seems very likely that it will arrive in mid-September, around the same time as when we expect to see the new iPhone 16 models.
As a reference, here’s when the last few generations of iPadOS have launched:
iPadOS 17: September 18, 2023
iPadOS 16: October 24, 2022
iPadOS 15: September 20, 2021
iPadOS 14: September 16, 2020
iPadOS 13: September 24, 2019
Updating to the new version will be a simple affair, but if you’re unsure how then you can look at the detailed instructions from last year’s guide on how to get iPadOS 17 on your iPad, as the steps should be exactly the same.iPadOS 18: Beta releases
Apple released the third beta of iPadOS 18 on July 8. That follows the launch of the first beta on June 10 and the second beta on June 24. Several features have yet to arrive including the new Apple Intelligence features.iPadOS 18: How to installl the beta
Beginning in mid-July, Apple will offer a beta testing program for members of the public who would like to try out new features before iPadOS 18 launches in September. The process is simple—just enroll your device and select the beta from the Software Update tab in Settings.
If you want to uninstall the beta and stop receiving beta updates read this: How to remove an iOS beta from your iPhone.iPadOS 18: Compatiblity
Apple has revealed which iPad models will make the cut for iPadOS 18, so if you’re wondering whether you’ll be able to upgrade, here’s the list:
iPad Pro (M4)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen and later)
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen and later)
iPad Air (M2)
iPad Air (3rd gen and later)
iPad (7th gen and later)
iPad Mini (5th gen and later)
It should be noted though that not all models will be able to run the full range of new features, as some will rely on the latest hardware, most notably Apple Intelligence, which will only be available for M1-powered iPads and above, and then only if Siri is set to use U.
