It’s finally here; iPadOS 18 has hit the market, and it’s brought with it plenty of interesting updates and new features that are designed to simplify and streamline your experience.
All sorts of new and improved features are at your disposal, including Apple Intelligence, Smarter Siri, Smart Script, Math Notes, and more.
what is ipados 18?
Today we’re talking about iPadOS 18, not to be mistaken for iOS 18. iPadOS is a separate operating system exclusive to iPads, but to create a cohesive experience, 99% of the features are the same as those you’d find on your iPhone.
iPadOS 18 is the software your iPad uses. It allows you to stream superfast movies, write stylish notes, and run heavyweight apps.
when was ipados 18 released?
iPadOS 18 was released on September 16, 2024.
ipad generations that support ipados 18
Here are all the iPad generations that support iPadOS 18.
- iPad: 7th gen and later
- iPad Mini: 5th gen and later
- iPad Air: 3rd gen and later (including M2)
- iPad Pro 11-inch: 1st gen and later
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch: 3rd gen and later (including M4)
If you’re thinking about buying a new model, find out whether the new 2024 iPads are worth the upgrade first.
ipados 18 new features
On to the fun stuff, the features.
apple intelligence
Apple Intelligence is a play on the phrase artificial intelligence. Given how popular AI has become in recent years, it’s no surprise that Apple has developed its own way to make a dent in the industry.
Apple Intelligence is an umbrella term for all of Apple’s AI features. It’s powered by Apple’s own models and requires Apple silicon, bespoke proprietary chips with hybrid architecture that support AI tasks.
Here’s Apple Intelligence does:
- Draws on personal information on your device to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks
- Prioritizes and summarizes notifications, mail, and messages
- Understands and creates language and images
To give you the full rundown of Apple Intelligence, we’ve broken it down into three sections: language, images, and actions.
apple intelligence: language
iPadOS 18’s new features don’t get better than this – artificial intelligence that will make your writing more streamlined than ever before.
Here’s what the new features do:
- Proofread: Checks your work for mistakes.
- Rewrite: Changes the tone of your text to sound more friendly or professional.
- Summarize: Creates a summary of short, medium, and long texts.
The language improvements power Priority Notifications, a feature that appears at the top of your notification list and summarizes the key points. Priority Notifications is also integrated into the Mail app, pushing important emails to the top of your inbox.
The Smart Reply function is another big win for the Mail app, allowing you to quickly respond to multiple questions in emails.
For more language features, head over to Notes, Voice Memos, and Phone app and hit record, and you’ll get an audio recording, transcript, and a summary of the transcript. But if you’re recording on the Phone app in a state that requires two-party consent, the other person on the call will be made aware of the recording. Last but not least, the iPadOS 18 new feature that does exactly what it says on the tin: Reduce Interruptions is a new addition to Focus Mode that understands your personal context and hides and prioritizes incoming notifications.
apple intelligence: images
Image Playground is an app that’s also integrated into other apps, allowing you to generate images from something as simple as a description, concept, and even people from your Photo Library. The style changes based on the app you’re using.
Genmoji is one of the most hotly anticipated new iPadOS 18 features. You can use it to generate new emojis. Just input a prompt and watch your emoji appear. You can make an emoji based on someone’s appearance, as long as you have a photo of them. And you’ll always get more than one option, so you can find something that works for you!
If you’re a fan of the Notes app, you’re in luck. Use your finger or Apple Pencil to sketch a drawing, and Image Wand will make it look more refined. And if you circle an empty space, Image Wand will generate an image based on the surrounding text.
The Photos app also has a few new iPadOS 18 features, including Memory Movie. Just enter a description (for example: “every pizza I ate in Italy, set to an acoustic song”) and watch your movie appear.
The new Clean Up tool works just like Magic Eraser on Pixel phones, erasing unwanted objects with ease. Lastly, just describe what photo you want to find, and the Photos app will locate it for you.
apple intelligence: siri
One of the biggest iPadOS 18 features is Siri, which hasn’t had a makeover since it was released 13 years ago. In this update, context is key. For example, you can say, “Send that email I drafted to Jessica” and Siri will act accordingly, even if you’re not in the Mail app.
When you activate Siri, the edges of your screen will glow, and (like Google Assistant) Siri now accepts typed requests. You can ask Siri to explain the new iPadOS features. If you make a mistake while asking a question, don’t worry. Siri will understand the context and automatically correct your mistake, streamlining the process.
This iPadOS 18 feature allows Siri to understand the context on your screen. So, if you get a message saying, “Here’s my address” you can ask Siri to add the address to that person’s contact card. It’s a time-saving tool that seamlessly integrates into your digital life.
chatgpt integration and visual intelligence
We can’t talk about iPadOS 18’s new features without mentioning ChatGPT. Apple uses the power of OpenAI’s ChatGPT (specifically – the GPT-4o model) to power Apple Intelligence. But it’s good to know that Siri only uses ChatGPT when you allow it to.
Apple Intelligence will use ChatGPT for things like scanning and summarizing a 200-page PDF. ChatGPT also comes into play when you activate Compose, a iPadOS 18 feature that allows you to generate original images and text from a query.
Thankfully, all these features are free and integrated into Siri without any need for an account. However, if you have an account and pay for a subscription, you can link your account and use all those features on your iPad.
calculator app
Moving on to the more traditional iPadOS 18 features, starting with the Calculator app.
iPad users finally have access to the Calculator app! And there are even more new iPadOS 18 features for mathematicians: Apple Pencil now supports Math Notes, a feature that solves equations as soon as you draw an equals sign. And if you go back and change something, Math Notes will automatically recalculate the answer.
smart script
Smart Script is a great update on Apple’s already impressive handwriting feature. Now, Smart Script automatically recreates your handwriting, smoothing and straightening the lines to make even the messiest writing more legible. It does all of this without erasing your natural handwriting style.
And if you paste typed text into a note that’s been handwritten, Smart Script will convert it into your handwriting! Among iPadOS 18’s new features, this is one of our favorites.
customization
After a long wait, you can finally fully customize your Home Screen.
- Add a color tint to the icons
- Place apps wherever you like without them automatically snapping back to a predetermined slot on the grid
- Make apps larger
When you tap and hold an icon, you’ll get a list of options. As part of the iPadOS 18 update, you can turn an icon into a widget at the tap of a button – provided there’s one available.
You can also lock and hide apps and add an extra layer of security with Face ID or Touch ID.
password manager
iCloud Keychain is nothing new, but the new iPadOS 18 features transform it into a password manager. You can manage all your passwords, passkeys, and Wi-Fi codes, and even share them with family members. Everything is encrypted – so you can share them with confidence.
other ipados 18 new features
There are plenty of other new iPadOS 18 features to look forward to, even if they aren’t as impressive as Apple Intelligence.
- Floating navigation bar: The floating navigation bar is now available on most of Apple’s apps, so you can stay in full-screen mode in your favorite apps and still have access.
- Game Mode: Makes in-game response time quicker and reduces the latency of Bluetooth controllers. And when you’re wearing AirPods, you can expect reduced audio latency.
- Messages: Tapbacks allow you to quickly respond to messages with an emoji, and another iPadOS 18 feature lets you schedule messages for a later time or date.
- Shareplay: With iPadOS 18, you can share your screen and draw on it to communicate with friends and family. You can even take control of their device!
- Privacy: The Privacy section has been rejigged to make it more accessible, and you can decide which contacts an app can see.
how to install ipados 18?
If you want access to all these innovative iPadOS 18 features, you need to install the update.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates
- Turn on iPadOS Updates (underneath Automatically Install and Automatically Download)
When there’s an update, your iPad will automatically download and install it overnight provided your phone is charging and connected to Wi-Fi. The update won’t affect your data settings.
Rock Paper Pencil: A Pen-On-Paper Experience for iPad
With great new features like Smart Script, writing on the iPad is now even more enjoyable. Take your experience to the next level with a realistic pen-on-paper feel for iPad. Rock Paper Pencil includes a reusable, paper-feel iPad screen protector and two ballpoint Apple Pencil tips. Built with nano-texture technology, Rock Paper Pencil adds subtle friction between your screen and Pencil, giving you more control while drawing or writing.
- Precision Apple Pencil Tips: Smoother, more controlled strokes
- Nanocling Screen Protector: Easy application, removable and reusable.
- Matte Texture: Subtle friction mimics the feel of paper (no more slippery glass!)
