Genuinely surprised at how weak iPadOS 26 is

[woolypants]

As I type, I'm factory restoring to get rid of iPadOS 26.

After using it for a few weeks, including two developer betas, it just feels like a worse version of the iPadOS I already had on there.

The glass UI is just... amateur. It's like an open source desktop theme from a decade ago, created by somebody who's kinda skilled in UI design but not THAT skilled, and who just wants to implement a cool concept that they really like.

I didn't encounter a single new feature. I'm not saying I encountered new features that I didn't use. I just didn't come across anything that wasn't just different for the sake of being different. Everything worked the same, but was made worse by the new UI.

Apple needs an intervention. Somebody needs to sit down with that board of directors and slap a bit of sense into them. What the hell is going on? This is just change for the sake of change. Apple has started lying to itself about things, and believing itself. Dare I say but I've a strong feeling they've lost their way. There's no "compass" people left in the organisation any more, people who know a good direction of travel.

(I know many of you will reply with the 🤣 emoji but it would be good to have a debate here, rather than just mud slinging.)

 

[P_Watt]

As I type, I'm factory restoring to get rid of iPadOS 26.

After using it for a few weeks, including two developer betas, it just feels like a worse version of the iPadOS I already had on there.

The glass UI is just... amateur. It's like an open source desktop theme from a decade ago, created by somebody who's kinda skilled in UI design but not THAT skilled, and who just wants to implement a cool concept that they really like.

I didn't encounter a single new feature. I'm not saying I encountered new features that I didn't use. I just didn't come across anything that wasn't just different for the sake of being different. Everything worked the same, but was made worse by the new UI.

Apple needs an intervention. Somebody needs to sit down with that board of directors and slap a bit of sense into them. What the hell is going on? This is just change for the sake of change. Apple has started lying to itself about things, and believing itself. Dare I say but I've a strong feeling they've lost their way. There's no "compass" people left in the organisation any more, people who know a good direction of travel.

(I know many of you will reply with the 🤣 emoji but it would be good to have a debate here, rather than just mud slinging.)

i agree, running iPads and iPhones which are suboptimal for most AI, the glass was the only change I found other than Photos app, yet:
1. Beta 1 just kept crashing and
2. Beta 2 messed with my “my Card” contact, making my wife’s identity my own. No editing would fix my proper contact as My Card.
That’s two DFU’s more than I usually need to do on my ipads.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

iPadOS 26 and the rest of the 26 stuff is just meh when you strip away the liquid glass which I still don’t know how anyone can use “clear” mode which is straight up monochrome mode. Only useful quality of life changes were on iOS 26 with the phone/message features.

Granted it’s still in developer beta but they’re either going to roll back so much liquid glass that it’s pretty much back to normal or nobody will use it. Heck, Apple Intelligence is still in beta while being forced on consumers in setup like it’s not. Still can’t believe the developers looked at this and thought it was good…I can almost guarantee they just threw out there and will let the public tell them what they should do.

Much like everything these days, betas are actually alphas and customers do all the free labor especially with Apple’s mostly loyal fanbase. All electronics these days just seem so boring.

 

[Devvy]

For me the new Windowing feature is a game changer. Surprised how well it works, actually. Regarding stability, it probably depends on what apps are used. Beta 2 is pretty stable for me (M1 11" pro). I do agree with the UI glitches which are distracting and give a sense of instability.

 

[mandopicker101]

As I type, I'm factory restoring to get rid of iPadOS 26.

After using it for a few weeks, including two developer betas, it just feels like a worse version of the iPadOS I already had on there.

The glass UI is just... amateur. It's like an open source desktop theme from a decade ago, created by somebody who's kinda skilled in UI design but not THAT skilled, and who just wants to implement a cool concept that they really like.

I didn't encounter a single new feature. I'm not saying I encountered new features that I didn't use. I just didn't come across anything that wasn't just different for the sake of being different. Everything worked the same, but was made worse by the new UI.

Apple needs an intervention. Somebody needs to sit down with that board of directors and slap a bit of sense into them. What the hell is going on? This is just change for the sake of change. Apple has started lying to itself about things, and believing itself. Dare I say but I've a strong feeling they've lost their way. There's no "compass" people left in the organisation any more, people who know a good direction of travel.

(I know many of you will reply with the 🤣 emoji but it would be good to have a debate here, rather than just mud slinging.)

So….what would work in terms of an OS for iPad that truly transforms the device? Not posed as a provocative statement but a question. You want debate, perhaps offer a counter argument?

 

[mandopicker101]

For me the new Windowing feature is a game changer. Surprised how well it works, actually. Regarding stability, it probably depends on what apps are used. Beta 2 is pretty stable for me (M1 11" pro). I do agree with the UI glitches which are distracting and give a sense of instability.

Windowing is a feature I’m keen to try when the Beta cycle hits Public. iPad is my daily driver compute device - I long gave up Macs as they were overkill for my needs - but I use an external monitor with my Air.

 

[azam1]

Yet another post about how iPadOS is disappointing. If Apple dont change anything people moan, they make a bold change and people moan.
Apple are getting plenty of things wrong, especially in AI, but this year they have given iPad the biggest software upgrade since iOS 7.

 

[aperfectcircle]

I was thinking last night, it’s like there’s no one there to play the role that Steve, and I assume Ive played, in being laser focused on perfectionism. Steve was obviously well known for that and I have always assumed Ive was similar.

What made me think about this was the blurring that occurs at the top and bottom of the screen. It just looks wrong and poorly executed. It feels like blurring you’d see in Windows 95 or something equally ancient. I was imagining a Steve/Ive/whomever seeing that and immediately reacting with a flat out NO, not good enough, do it better. Even just now as I’m typing this I’ve reached the bottom of the text box and what I’m writing is being blurred. It’s awfully executed like some designer intern just learnt gradients last week.

I like liquid glass, and notwithstanding some needed refinement, I think it will end up looking and feeling great. But the lack of polish across the board feels like the result of there not being someone at the top calling the shots and calling out when things aren’t up to what used to be Apple’s high standards.

 

[achappy]

I just didn't come across anything that wasn't just different for the sake of being different. Everything worked the same, but was made worse by the new UI.

So did you even use the new Windowing and Stage manager? Judging by the quote it doesn't seem like it. Because to most the significant changes have nothing to do with Liquid Glass but the whole expanded multitasking capabilities.

iPad26 is a game changer for how I use the iPad.

 

[rappr]

I was thinking last night, it’s like there’s no one there to play the role that Steve, and I assume Ive played, in being laser focused on perfectionism. Steve was obviously well known for that and I have always assumed Ive was similar.

What made me think about this was the blurring that occurs at the top and bottom of the screen. It just looks wrong and poorly executed. It feels like blurring you’d see in Windows 95 or something equally ancient. I was imagining a Steve/Ive/whomever seeing that and immediately reacting with a flat out NO, not good enough, do it better. Even just now as I’m typing this I’ve reached the bottom of the text box and what I’m writing is being blurred. It’s awfully executed like some designer intern just learnt gradients last week.

I like liquid glass, and notwithstanding some needed refinement, I think it will end up looking and feeling great. But the lack of polish across the board feels like the result of there not being someone at the top calling the shots and calling out when things aren’t up to what used to be Apple’s high standards.

There are likely multiple people saying “no” to things in the org (and there likely always has been, even when Jobs and Ive were there). It’s probably why things have shipped later on iPad than they do on iPhone…the iPad implementation wasn’t good enough or needed more thought (Calculator, Journal, Home screen widgets, App Library).

The problem is that design is subjective. What looks “wrong and poorly executed” to you may look fine to others and the design team at Apple. Plus, this design will continue to evolve over time.

 

[woolypants]

So did you even use the new Windowing and Stage manager? Judging by the quote it doesn't seem like it. Because to most the significant changes have nothing to do with Liquid Glass but the whole expanded multitasking capabilities.

iPad26 is a game changer for how I use the iPad.

Actually yes, I did feel that was very well implemented. The issue is that the screen size of the iPad Air I have is just too small for effective windowing, and apps are mostly designed to be full screen.

I do believe convergence between iPadOS and macOS apps is coming in a few generations of the operating systems, though. You'll be able to run macOS apps the iPad and (if you wish) vice versa.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Actually yes, I did feel that was very well implemented. The issue is that the side of the iPad Air I have is just too small for effective windowing, and apps are mostly designed to be full screen.

I do believe convergence between iPadOS and macOS apps is coming in a few generations of the operating systems, though. You'll be able to run macOS apps the iPad and (if you wish) vice versa.

This will never happen. Apple will make iPadOS and MacOS remain separate beyond the end of time. They are dug in at this point.

 

[TechnoMonk]

It’s a beta os of an OS with major change, features will trickle down in future beta releases. Same thing happened with iOS 7, most of the features and polish didn’t happen till final beta.

 

[bradman83]

I was thinking last night, it’s like there’s no one there to play the role that Steve, and I assume Ive played, in being laser focused on perfectionism. Steve was obviously well known for that and I have always assumed Ive was similar.

Steve has this mythos of being a perfectionist (and he was to an extent), but he wasn't infallible and there were PLENTY of questionable software and hardware design choices that shipped under his leadership (I'm looking at you, QuickTime 4).

Just look at how the Aqua interface originally shipped with the first Mac OS X developer previews and public beta versus how it shipped in the official release. The original version was an absolute mess. It wasn't until the public got their hands on the new interface that they spoke up and Apple made some substantial changes that greatly improved usability, and then kept making changes in subsequent releases.

 

[Piplodocus]

I do believe convergence between iPadOS and macOS apps is coming in a few generations of the operating systems, though. You'll be able to run macOS apps the iPad and (if you wish) vice versa.

There's a massive problem for Apple with true convergence of MacOS and iPadOS. Not the UI and all the arguments that one's a touch screen interface the other is mouse based, or one is "simple", the other a lot more flexible, but it's the app store and sideloading.

They clearly want to be able to keep taking a 30% cut of app sales as it makes them a fortune, hence they don't want to allow sideloading on the iPad if they can help it. But if you stop people being able to put whatever they like on their Mac a lot of people will run a mile from Macs and have to switch to Windows.

This is why my iPad is ok (or great) for some stuff, but there's just absolutely no way I could use it for serious music production due to professional-level software availability (as well as more settings flexibility and things like lower-latency non-class-compliant drivers, but it's the apps that count the most). So if they were both the same OS it would be very hard for them to justify only via App Store for iPad, but can put anything you like on Mac. If they insisted on having to buy all apps via app store on the Mac I would never install that version of MacOS and would HAVE to buy a PC next time I needed a new computer. If I then have a PC and break away from the ointeroperbility of the Apple ecosystem in that regard, then I have far less reason to buy an iPhone next time so maybe I then largely stop buying Apple products. Then I may stop using a lot of their services. Then the money they make from me sinks like a stone.

Also, how could I play any of my games if I can't have Steam on it?

So if they converged they'd have to have full Mac-freedom to install whatever you like on iPad, or it's basically goodbye Apple.

 

[Jakbe12]

Its the worst ever. Looks like a childrens tablet.

 

[ignatius345]

it just feels like a worse version of the iPadOS I already had on there.

Huh, you mean the early developer beta of a huge new update with a brand new design that's still being worked out is worse than the final release of iPadOS 18.5? Insane!

 

[woolypants]

There's a massive problem for Apple with true convergence of MacOS and iPadOS. Not the UI and all the arguments that one's a touch screen interface the other is mouse based, or one is "simple", the other a lot more flexible, but it's the app store and sideloading.

I'm unsure it's that big a problem. Remember this could be happening in, maybe, 5 years time. By that point Apple could simply adjust its macOS user interface guidelines for developers to find ways to accommodate touch.

And in any event, the touch controls for iPad windowing (traffic lights, menu) are just like on macOS – exactly the same – except now they operate by touch. So, really, I'm not sure there's a massive problem there for anybody.

 

[mpetrides]

I didn't encounter a single new feature. I'm not saying I encountered new features that I didn't use. I just didn't come across anything that wasn't just different for the sake of being different. Everything worked the same, but was made worse by the new UI.

You're kidding, right? I find the ability to have multiple windows, of whatever size I choose, open at the same time to be a game changer. And the Files app is also much improved--to the point where I can now access a common desktop between my Mac(s) and my iPad(s). That's more than enough for me.

Oh, and did I mention having a real cursor, not some stupid gigantic blob, that I can use with a BT mouse or the MK trackpad is another big improvement. All in all, I'm loving iPad OS 26 and was even when I had the very first beta installed.

 

[fatTribble]

Still can’t believe the developers looked at this and thought it was good…I can almost guarantee they just threw out there and will let the public tell them what they should do.

Most of my friends are software engineers. I used to be. My experience is that developers code what the UI specifications say it should look like. Product managers decide if the product is ready to release. Unfortunately developers aren’t normally decision makers.

 

[fatTribble]

(I know many of you will reply with the 🤣 emoji but it would be good to have a debate here, rather than just mud slinging.)

I’m half tempted to make that my signature line 🥰

 

[123123123]

This will never happen. Apple will make iPadOS and MacOS remain separate beyond the end of time. They are dug in at this point.

I tend to agree. There are no real technical issues there, and consumer enthusiasm would likely override what would tend to be a somewhat clunky UI (I’ve yet to see a UI that simultaneously works really well for both touch and regular computing). It won’t happen because it’ll kill the goose that lays the golden eggs – it’ll absolutely cannibalize the double revenue stream that comes from both iPad and Mac. I have a really hard time seeing it happen unless Apple one day ends up being willing to trade those streams for a single one with a short-term revenue boost.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I tend to agree. There are no real technical issues there, and consumer enthusiasm would likely override what would tend to be a somewhat clunky UI (I’ve yet to see a UI that simultaneously works really well for both touch and regular computing). It won’t happen because it’ll kill the goose that lays the golden eggs – it’ll absolutely cannibalize the double revenue stream that comes from both iPad and Mac. I have a really hard time seeing it happen unless Apple one day ends up being willing to trade those streams for a single one with a short-term revenue boost.

It’s a terrible experience, I got one of the Microsoft devices from a client. Unless Apple or some one figures out a device that does well as tablet and laptop OS/mac os, it will be a gimmick. Microsoft gimps the tablet and device is more closer to laptop. If I need a laptop I will get a laptop.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Most of my friends are software engineers. I used to be. My experience is that developers code what the UI specifications say it should look like. Product managers decide if the product is ready to release. Unfortunately developers aren’t normally decision makers.

It’s an early beta, no Product manager is making release decisions now. Long way to go which specs/features gets released in fall. If iOS 7 is any indication, lot can change.

 

[Project Alice]

1000% disagree with everything said here.

Even without the UI changes, iPadOS 26 (or as I prefer to refer to it now Darwin 25, because I do think the name change is dumb) iPadOS is completely different and more useable for me. How are you guys only seeing photos app changes? Theres literally the 3 traffic buttons from Mac OS now. A menu bar, which will get more useful when 3rd parties start using it. It’s already nice having the standard stuff like copy/paste, etc up there. That alone is the best thing to ever happen to the iPad. So, yeah I don’t understand the complaints here.

Secondly, the glass UI is a much welcome needed change for me. I absolutely despised the post Yosemite flatness I’ve been cursed at starring at for 13 years. Dark mode helped but to me it was a bandaid over the ugly flat kindergarten UI. I hated the flat look on macOS, and I hated it with Windows 8+. Aqua and Aero should’ve never left. For some unholy reason I know there are people who disagree with, but I will die on this hill. The new UI is great, albeit buggy. We’re in dev beta 3, it’ll get better.

I’ll also mention that (at least on DP1 and 2, I just installed 3 as I was typing this so I haven’t had a run of it yet) my 11” M1 iPad Pro has much better battery life than it ever did on 18, or even 17. I mostly use my iPad in a place I can have it plugged in, so battery life isn’t a massive deal for me as it is for most people. But, surprisingly it improved with 26.