Honestly, the iPad has felt stuck for a while. We keep getting these massive M4 chips that have more power than a MacBook Air, but the software always felt like it was holding a Ferrari back in a school zone. That changes with the iPadOS 26 public beta. Apple finally stopped playing it safe. They’ve introduced a new design language called Liquid Glass and a windowing system that actually feels like a computer.
But let's be real for a second. This is a beta. It’s buggy. If you’re thinking about slapping this on your only iPad—the one you use for work or school—you might want to take a deep breath first.
👉 See also: USB-A to USB-C Cable: What Most People Get Wrong About Charging Speeds
The Big Shift: Liquid Glass and Desktop Windows
The first thing you’ll notice is the look. Apple is calling it "Liquid Glass." It’s basically visionOS for your tablet. Everything is translucent, refractive, and feels layered. When you scroll, the toolbars react to the colors underneath them. It’s pretty, sure, but the real meat is in the window management.
For years, we’ve struggled with Split View and Slide Over. They were clunky. In iPadOS 26, those are basically gone, replaced by a system that mirrors macOS. You get "traffic light" controls—those little red, yellow, and green buttons—to close, minimize, and resize apps. You can literally flick a window to the side of the screen and it tiles perfectly. It’s the multitasking we’ve been begging for since the first iPad Pro came out.
What's actually new in the latest 26.3 beta?
We just hit the second public beta of iPadOS 26.3, and while the "point updates" are usually boring, this one has some hidden gems. Apple is laying the groundwork for full RCS end-to-end encryption in the Messages app. This is huge if you have friends on Android; the "SupportsE2EE" code has finally appeared in the system strings.
There is also a new Preview app. It’s almost a carbon copy of the Mac version, which sounds redundant until you realize how much easier it makes marking up PDFs with an Apple Pencil. No more jumping through three different menus just to sign a document.
Can Your iPad Even Run It?
Apple dropped support for the 7th-generation iPad this year. If you have the 10.2-inch model from 2019, you’re stuck on iPadOS 18. For everyone else, the list is surprisingly generous.
💡 You might also like: 2025 Model Y Interior: What Most People Get Wrong About the Refresh
- iPad Pro: All models with M-series chips, plus the older 11-inch (1st gen+) and 12.9-inch (3rd gen+).
- iPad Air: 3rd generation and later (including the new M3 models).
- iPad Mini: 5th generation and later.
- Standard iPad: 8th generation through the latest A16 models.
Interestingly, the new windowing engine is much more efficient. Even though it looks more complex, Apple claims it analyzes active windows to save RAM, which is why older A-series iPads can actually run this version without exploding.
The "Apple Intelligence" Problem
You’re going to see a lot of hype about Apple Intelligence in this beta. Things like Genmoji (creating custom emojis with text) and Image Playground. They’re fun, but they are resource hogs. On the iPadOS 26 public beta, I’ve noticed the back of my iPad Pro getting significantly warmer when I’m using the new Siri with on-screen awareness.
Siri is actually useful now, though. It knows what you’re looking at. If you’re looking at a photo and say "Send this to Mom," it just does it. No more "I found this on the web for send this to Mom." It’s a relief, honestly.
Pros and Cons: The Brutal Truth
The Good:
🔗 Read more: Why an Apple Watch Strap Original is Actually Worth the Extra Cash
- The Menu Bar is finally here. Swipe down from the top, and you get Mac-like menus. It makes Pro apps like Final Cut and Logic feel native.
- Background Tasks actually work. You can export a 4K video and go check your email without the render failing in the background.
- Math Notes can now handle three-variable equations and turn them into 3D graphs. It's magic for students.
The Bad:
- Battery Life: It’s rough. Expect about 20% less screen-on time than you had on iPadOS 18.
- App Crashes: Third-party apps that haven't updated for the Liquid Glass SDK tend to flicker or just quit unexpectedly.
- Stage Manager: It’s still there as an option, but it feels like a legacy feature now that the new windowing system exists.
How to Install (Safely)
If you’ve decided you can’t wait until the official fall release, here is how you do it without losing your soul—or your data.
- Backup to a Computer: Do not just rely on iCloud. Plug your iPad into a Mac or PC and do a full, encrypted backup. If you need to downgrade, an iCloud backup from iPadOS 26 won't work on iPadOS 18.
- Sign Up: Go to the Apple Beta Software Program website and sign in with your Apple Account.
- The Toggle: Head to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates. Select the iPadOS 26 Public Beta.
The download is usually around 5GB to 7GB, so make sure you’re on stable Wi-Fi.
Final Verdict
The iPadOS 26 public beta represents the biggest shift in the iPad’s identity since it branched off from iOS. It’s no longer just a big phone. It’s a modular computer that happens to have a touch screen.
If you’re a creative or someone who uses an iPad as their main "laptop," the multitasking improvements alone are worth the risk of a few bugs. Just keep your charger handy. The Liquid Glass effects look stunning, but they definitely want to eat your battery for lunch.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your storage: You need at least 15GB of free space to install the beta comfortably without the system stuttering during the update.
- Check your "Workhorse" apps: Before installing, check the forums for apps like Procreate, LumaFusion, or Notion to see if users are reporting "show-stopping" bugs on the 26.3 beta.
- Partition your life: If you have an older iPad lying around, install it there first. Testing the "Liquid Glass" UI on an older device will give you a good idea of whether the performance hit is acceptable for your main workflow.