A Look at iPadOS Evolution Over the Years

Apple has consistently upgraded the iPads with advanced operating systems. Initially, iPads ran on iPhoneOS, which later became iOS, similar to iPhones, from iOS 4 through iOS 12.

But things changed at the WWDC 2019 event when Apple introduced a distinct operating system for iPads, derived from iOS, called iPadOS. This shift aimed to optimize iPads with tailored navigation and functionality that differ from iOS.

Wondering how iPadOS has changed over time? Let's explore the versions from the most recent back to iPadOS 13, starting with the latest to keep the information fresh and engaging for readers.

1. iPadOS 18

Announced at WWDC 2024, iPadOS 18 introduces features that transform how users work and create. I personally think that this version seems to offer more exciting updates compared to its predecessors. Let's take a look into some of these features.

• Calculator with Math Notes

The absence of a built-in calculator on iPads has always been a quirky topic, prompting users like my wife to install third-party apps on her iPad Air M1.

Apple, however, took a unique approach by integrating a calculator that goes beyond basic calculations; it can process sums directly from notes.

For instance, with an Apple Pencil, you can jot down a calculation like 400 x 20 x 7,654, and the calculator will recognize your handwriting and compute the results without you having to manually enter each number.

• Enhanced Apple Pencil Support

The Apple Pencil's functionality has been significantly enhanced in iPadOS 18. The introduction of the "Smart Script" feature now lets users write in any text field, with handwriting automatically transformed into typed text.

Moreover, the Apple Pencil elevates note-taking to a new level. The upgraded AI in the Notes app can instantly recognize and refine drawn shapes, turning a rough sketch of an airplane into a precise drawing, for example.

There's also a handy new feature that simplifies the editing of handwritten text, making the Apple Pencil an even more attractive tool for iPad users, despite its premium price.

• Apple Intelligence

In iPadOS 18, Apple extends its use of artificial intelligence, known as "Apple Intelligence," similar to its integration in iOS 18. This AI functionality is available on iPads equipped with the M1 chip or newer, so older models with A series chips miss out on this feature, at least as of this writing.

The same AI that enhances note-taking also powers new features in creative apps. For instance, in the Procreate X app, AI-driven tools like Auto-Brush and Color-Suggestion provide tailored color and style recommendations, enhancing the artistic process.

• Home Screen Personalization

iPadOS 18 introduces greater flexibility for personalizing the Home Screen. Users can now add interactive widgets from various apps, resize icons, and rearrange everything to better suit their tastes and usage habits.

• Notes App Improvements

The Notes app receives substantial upgrades in iPadOS 18. New features such as "Highlighting" let users emphasize text with color, while "Collapsible Parts" allow for better organization of lengthy notes, making them easier to manage and navigate.

• Remote Control Feature

iPadOS 18 introduces the "Remote Control" feature, which lets you remotely control another person's iPad with their permission. This is particularly useful for assisting friends or family with troubleshooting or demonstrating how to use specific features.

I find this feature incredibly valuable. Often, when a relative or friend needs help, they are too far away for me to assist in person. Previously, I could only guide them through a video call or messages, but with this feature, helping them becomes much easier.

• Support for External Devices

The new iPadOS 18 also enhances support for external devices such as cameras, microphones, and external storage. You can easily connect these devices to your iPad for various uses, whether it's recording videos, capturing photos, or transferring files.

This functionality is a game-changer for content creators and live streamers who frequently use social media apps. Connecting a camera or another device to an iPad is now simple and hassle-free.

iPadOS 18 marks a significant update, introducing a host of innovative features and improvements that enrich the iPad experience. From the practical Calculator with Math Notes to the enhanced Apple Pencil support and advanced Apple Intelligence, this update aims to boost productivity and creativity for all iPad users.

iPadOS 18 is available on the following devices:

• iPad mini (5th generation and later)
• iPad Pro (all models)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and newer)
• iPad (6th generation and newer)

2. iPadOS 17

iPadOS 17 introduces several features aimed at enhancing the user experience on iPads. One standout change is the more customizable lock screen. Users can now personalize their wallpaper, add interactive widgets, and select font styles to suit their tastes.

These interactive widgets streamline tasks by providing quick access to frequently needed information with just a tap. I've found this feature particularly helpful for quickly checking important details.

The Messages app has also seen notable upgrades. There are now more varied and expressive stickers, which help us communicate our feelings more effectively. The search function within conversations has been improved as well, making it simpler to locate specific messages.

I really value these updates, especially the enhanced search, which makes finding important old messages easier. FaceTime has also gotten more engaging with new interactive reactions, making video calls livelier and more enjoyable.

Another significant addition is the Health App on the iPad, previously only available on the iPhone. With the larger screen, users can view their health data more clearly and in greater detail.

This feature is incredibly beneficial for those focused on health management. Personally, I see it as an essential tool in my daily routine.

For users who handle PDFs, iPadOS 17 has made substantial improvements. You can now easily add notes, highlight text, and fill out forms directly within the PDF app. As someone who works with documents regularly, this feature has made my tasks more manageable and efficient.

Further enhancements include updates to the Screen Distance and Keyboard features. The Screen Distance tool is more user-friendly with additional customization options, while the Keyboard now offers more accurate text prediction and supports additional languages.

I've found these updates very useful, particularly for typing in various languages. Overall, iPadOS 17 takes the iPad experience to new heights, making it more personalized, productive, and enjoyable to use.

Key Features of iPadOS 17

• More Personalized Lock Screen: Tailor your lock screen with customizable wallpapers, interactive widgets, and a variety of font styles.
• Efficient Interactive Widgets: Access key tasks swiftly with a single tap.
• Enhanced Messaging App: Enjoy more expressive stickers and a simplified search feature.
• Livelier FaceTime: Experience more engaging video calls with interactive reactions.
• Health App on iPad: Analyze your health data in greater detail on the iPad’s large screen.
• PDF Enhancements: Easily add notes, highlight text, and fill out forms.
• Improved Screen and Keyboard Usability: Customize your settings more easily and enjoy better keyboard predictions.

Devices Compatible with iPadOS 17:

• iPad Pro: 12.9-inch (2nd generation and later), 11-inch (1st generation and later), 10.5-inch
• iPad Air: (3rd generation and later)
• iPad: (6th generation and later)
• iPad mini: (5th generation and later)

With these updates, iPadOS 17 significantly boosts the iPad’s functionality, making it an even more essential tool for both work and play.

3. iPadOS 16 

On June 6, 2022, at the WWDC event, Apple launched iPadOS 16 along with iOS 16 and the MacBook Air M2.

This update introduces a variety of new features including enhanced multitasking capabilities, laptop-style apps, and improved security measures, including updates to the Safari browser's security.

However, not all iPad models support the new iPadOS 16. Specifically, the iPad Air 2, released in 2014, and the iPad Mini 4 from 2015, do not receive this update.

A standout feature of iPadOS 16 is the Stage Manager, designed to bring a MacBook-like multitasking experience to the iPad. This function allows users to open apps in resizable windows, similar to how you would on a laptop.

Users can now manage multiple app windows simultaneously, making multitasking more efficient than ever, without needing to use split screen.

This enhancement is especially useful for those who frequently use their iPad for various tasks at once. It marks a significant departure from the previous iPhone-style app layout, making the iPad’s screen more versatile.

Apple has also upgraded the Notes and Pages apps, making them more akin to Google Docs. These updates include the ability to tag people in notes, collaborative editing, and seamless access across multiple devices. Both apps now support Apple Pencil and can handle various file types, from PDFs to images and web links.

Additionally, a new app called FreeForm has been introduced to enhance collaboration among iPad users. This app enables sharing files, co-editing notes, or jointly working on presentations. 

For gamers, iPadOS 16 enriches the gaming experience with support for Metal 3 and a new feature that allows multitasking during game downloads.

To boost performance, Apple has introduced a virtual memory swap feature, which lets users expand the RAM capacity up to 16 GB. Along with these, iPadOS 16 incorporates several new features from iOS, further enhancing the iPad's laptop-like capabilities.

Overall, iPadOS 16 significantly enhances the iPad’s functionality, making it more comparable to a laptop.

4. iPadOS 15

In response to the advancements in Android and Windows for tablets and laptops, Apple introduced iPadOS 15 on June 8, 2021, at the WWDC event. This new version of the operating system includes several new features and improvements over iPadOS 14, aimed at enhancing productivity for iPad users.

With iPadOS 15, iPads now feature home screen widgets, a step up from the previous version where widgets were confined to the left side of the screen.

Users have more flexibility with an expanded selection of widget sizes and types, supporting various apps. This allows for a more personalized and accessible home screen setup.

Another notable addition is the App Library, which helps organize apps into categories or hide them, making it easier to find the app you need without cluttering your home screen.

Apple has also continued to refine multitasking capabilities in iPadOS 15. Users can now operate dual-screen apps and close them with a simple sideways swipe.

Features like split view and center window mode are also available, making it possible to work with multiple apps simultaneously more efficiently.

The Notes app has also been enhanced to function more like Google Docs. It now supports tagging people in notes, collaborative editing, and accessing notes across different devices quickly and easily.

A new Focus feature helps manage notifications, allowing users to minimize distractions. This tool lets you specify which notifications you receive during work hours, ensuring you're not disturbed when you need to concentrate.

Overall, iPadOS 15 is designed to cater to the evolving needs of professionals and casual users alike, making the iPad a more powerful and user-friendly device.

5. iPadOS 14

iPadOS 14 is the second generation operating system from Apple for iPads, unveiled on June 22, 2020, at the WWDC event. It introduced major enhancements, building on the success of iPadOS 13, with new features designed to make the iPad more productive and computer-like.

Notable among the new features are the Apple Pencil improvements and a redesigned, larger multi-touch screen. Apple streamlined Siri, search, and phone call interfaces to be more compact, allowing users to stay focused while working on their iPad. A smart feature was also added that automatically converts handwritten notes into text, enhancing usability.

Apple aimed to lighten this operating system to allow iPads to function more efficiently for work. iPadOS 14 also featured a user interface distinct from iOS, helping iPads step out of the iPhone's shadow.

From 2020 to 2021, leading up to the release of iPadOS 15, Apple frequently updated the system, introducing both minor tweaks and significant new features, underscoring their commitment to equating iPad usability with that of a laptop.

A significant update came on April 26, 2021, with iPadOS version 14.5. This update revamped Siri's interface and improved Apple Music.

Additionally, iPads gained support for Xbox and PlayStation controllers, enhancing their appeal as gaming devices. Similar to iPadOS 13, this version also improved support for USB drives and SD cards that can enable faster image imports and broader iCloud support for various folders, not just files.

6. iPadOS 13

iPadOS 13 marked a significant shift for iPads as it replaced iOS 13, which was common across all Apple devices. This change aimed to optimize the tablet experience for iPad users.

Previously, using an iPad felt similar to using an iPhone since both devices ran on iOS. With iPadOS, Apple introduced enhancements specifically designed for tablets, improving how content is displayed and interacted with on the iPad.

Some key upgrades in iPadOS 13 include better screen display, new gesture controls, and the ability to connect a mouse, making the iPad feel more like a computer.

The changes in the first version of iPadOS weren't very dramatic, as many features were still similar to those in iOS 13 used on the iPhone.

However, iPadOS began to bridge the gap between the iPad and a computer in terms of functionality. This first version of iPadOS brought a new, improved multitasking system that surpassed the capabilities of iOS.

The multitasking feature allowed users to open multiple apps at once, and text editing and copying in documents became quicker and easier.

Additionally, the operating system introduced a desktop version of the Safari browser, enhancing the browsing experience and making the iPad more computer-like.

That covers the evolution of iPadOS from the newest to the older versions. What are your thoughts on iPadOS? Which version do you think brought the most interesting updates? Share your thoughts in the comments.