iPados 19 -Update: Release Date, Compatibility, New iPad Functions

It’s been six years since Apple decided to feel the iPad operating system iPados to differentiate it from iOS on iPhone. Since then, Apple has added a handful of iPad-exclusive features, but overall it is still much like iOS.

That could change dramatically in iPados 19 due to arriving at WWDC and shipping in September. We have a chance to see what Apple has in mind in the keynote speaker on June 9th. In the meantime, here’s what we know about iPados 19.

iPados 19: Release date

• Full version: September 15 (predicted)

The official release date has not been announced, but Apple currently has an annual cycle with its operating systems that happen in the September time. Based on recent history, iPados 19 could be released to the public on September 15 or 22. There have been years when iPados arrived later with MacOS in October.

iPados 19: Compatibility

iPados 19: Developer and Public Betas

Developer Beta: From June 9 (Expected)

Public Beta: From July 14 (Estimated)

Apple makes betas of its operating systems available before the official release in September. A developer -beta is only released after WWDC headthals so that developers can immediately start testing it with their products. WWDC25 Keynote will be held on June 9, so the developer Beta must be available later the same day after the main presentation.

Apple then releases a public beta for anyone else who usually arrives in July, about a month after the first developer Beta. Then, when Apple issues beta updates, the updated public beta follows one day or two after the updated developer Beta.

If you are interested in using the beta, you can join Apple’s Beta program. The beta program involves running software that has some stability problems and you are expected to give Apple details about any problems through the Apple Feedback app.

For help installing iPados Beta on your iPad, see our guide to iOS 19 beta (the method is very similar).

iPados 19: Name could be iPados 26

In recent years it has been easy to predict what the next version of iPados will be called. iPados takes the same number as the version of iOS, so for 2025 it was widely expected the name would be iPados 19. However, that may not be the case.

Apple is joined to customize all the names of its operating system updates to reflect the year. So rather than having iOS 19, iPados 19 and MacOS 16 (which is so confusing). It will be iPados 26, iOS 26 and MacOS 26.

This makes a lot of sense, so we hope Apple does this as it will be much less confusing to everyone!

iPados 19: New Features

Because iPados 19 never needs to leave Apple Park before it is sent, rumors of its new features are harder to get than iPad hardware. But leaks still occur and we keep track of them here. Here’s what we’ve heard so far:

Larger design overhaul

Apple is working on a design monitoring of iPados (as well as iOS, MacOS, Watchos and Tvos). The reports say the update will take its signals from Visionos and Apple invites and sports apps can offer some tips to what’s in store. It is also possible that Apple changes the icon form for the first time to match Visionos’ circular icons.

Mac-like user experience

An exciting feature that is joined to be on the way is a new window control system for multitasking on iPad. Apple released Stage Manager with iPados 16.1, but it has not lived up to its potential. A April 2025 report from Mark Gurman claims Apple is working on stage manager 2, which will incorporate the use of a menu bar that is activated when the iPad is connected to a keyboard. Gurman added that iPados 19 will make iPad “more like a Mac” but he did not offer details.

A separate report from November 2024 claims that users will be able to pin files to the iPados 19 Home screen, similar to the way files can be stored on the desktop in MacOS.

Low power mode

iPados 18 currently has a low power mode, but Majin BU claimed in November last year that the system will be “reinvented” in iPados 19. That may mean it will lean on Apple Intelligence to control and optimize the life of the battery.

Apple Intelligence and Siri

Apple has hit some serious obstacles with its Apple Intelligence development, causing features to be delayed. Features to be delivered in iPados 18.4 can be displayed sometime in 2026 in an iPados 19 update.

Apple had declared a major update to Siri, where it is better for natural conversations with the user. Previously expected in iPados 19, it is now more likely that it will come as a later update or in iPados 20. However, there will be almost certainly new Apple Intelligence features as part of iPados 19, especially since all new iPads (except 11.-Gen model) can now run it.

New game -app

There may be a dedicated game app that comes with iPados 19 (or 26), according to a Mark Gurman report from Bloomberg. The app will be available for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, it is claimed.

The new app will utilize the App Store’s gaming section and Apple Arcade, according to Gurman. It will also offer editorial content about new games and centralize everything that is currently available in the Game Center.

New home -app

Apple is reportedly going to make a big push into the smart home in the next year and it could start with a new home app. Numerous reports claim that Apple is developing a new “HomePad” and a new HomePod with a display containing a new “Homeos” and Apple recently pushed all users to the new home architecture that was first released in iOS 16. To join these new products, present a brand new home app in iPados 19.