iPadOS 26 Drops Old Devices, Adds Windowed Multitasking

Apple dropped a quiet but impactful update today within its WWDC session line-up. iPadOS 26 is officially shedding support for iPads released before the A12 Bionic generation, including the 2017 iPad Pro and earlier models. Starting this fall, only iPads with A12 or newer chips—originally introduced in 2018—will receive the update, leaving around six earlier models unable to run the next major release .

This move underscores Apple’s new year-based OS scheme and its push to elevate performance standards across its ecosystem. By limiting support, Apple enhances the uniformity and reliability of its “Liquid Glass” UI experience, ensuring that core system features—like augmented reality, adaptive battery, and on-device AI—function consistently on every compatible iPad. The change also simplifies developers’ work, giving them confidence that their iPad apps will run fluidly on all supported devices .

But Apple didn’t stop at carved-off compatibility. iPadOS 26 pushes the productivity envelope with a fully windowed app paradigm inspired by macOS. Instead of floating panels or split-screen, apps now open in discrete, resizable windows that can be snapped and overlaid, enabling easier multitasking. The home screen and dock are also becoming smarter—dynamically offering app suggestions based on usage patterns, time of day, and location .

For users working on tight deadlines, students juggling research documents, or creators sketching alongside reference photos, this marks a sea change. The iPad is inching closer to functioning as a standalone laptop alternative—not just a consumption device, but a true productivity hub.

Apple has begun testing the first developer beta, with public betas due in July and a general release expected this fall. As older hardware is left behind, it’s a clear signal: Apple wants iPadOS 26 to set a bar for performance, privacy, and polish—anchored in the A12+ era and ready for future enhancements like Foundation Models integration and desktop-like windowing.

For TechBooky readers, the headline is straightforward: consider an upgrade if your iPad is 2017 or older. But if you’re on an A12 or newer device, the iPad you know is about to evolve—gaining Apple Intelligence smarts, flexible multitasking, and a user experience closer to the Mac, all while maintaining its tablet simplicity.