Apple revealed the next major iPad software update back in June and it’s nearly ready for release. Now, after months of beta versions, the biggest free iPad update in years – called iPadOS 26 – is rolling out to the public.
It will work best with the latest iPads as you’d expect, but you’ll want to know if it’ll work with your Apple tablet, which might be slightly older. A whole bunch of older Apple tablets will also get the free software update, stretching back around five years and we’ve got all the details right here.
Note that Apple’s software versions are now named after the year ahead – ie: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, etc – to bring naming consistency. So if you’re looking for the requirements to run what you thought was called iPadOS 19, you’re in the right place!
But will your current iPad get the update? Here’s our guide to the rumoured iPadOS 26 system requirements.
Will your iPad get iPadOS 26?
Apple is keeping the system requirements for iPadOS 26 the same as those for iPadOS 18. That was also pretty similar to iPadOS 17, but with a few exceptions.
With iPadOS 17, Apple dumped support for the iPad 5 and iPad Pros from 2015 and 2016.
Last year’s iPadOS 18 ditched support for the 6th-generation iPad, 2nd-generation iPad Pro (12.9-inch), and iPad Pro (10.5-inch). iPadOS 26 has the same compatibility as iPadOS 18.
iPadOS 26 offers a brand new glassy redesign that makes the software look a bit like the Apple Vision Pro’s visionOS, alongside plenty of other new features. New multitasking abilities have also finally arrived.
Here’s a full list of the devices compatible with iPadOS 26:
- iPad: 8th generation and later (including A16)
- iPad mini: 5th generation and later (including A17 Pro)
- iPad Air: 3rd generation and later (including M2 and M3)
- iPad Pro 11in – 1st generation and later
- Pad Pro 12.9in – 3rd generation and later
- iPad Pro M4
Related: Proper windows are finally coming to the iPad – but why didn’t it happen before?
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