Update: iPadOS 16 is under beta testing so Apple can fix bugs and create apps. Developers and public beta testers can now download iPadOS 16. Apple gave developers two betas of iPadOS 16.1. It confirmed with the publication of iPadOS 16.1 beta 1 that iPadOS 16 will come following iOS 16 in the fall. Apple delayed iPadOS 16 to fix Stage Manager bugs.
iPadOS 16.1 beta one adds the option to resurface the Stage Manager side rail using a gesture while the feature is full screen.
Previous Article: Apple has been developing a new multitasking feature for the iPad called Stage Manager. The design is with option to offer a more Mac-like multi-window multitasking experience. The launch delay of iPadOS 16 is said to be partly due to the implementation of Stage Manager. This happens because Apple is still working out bugs. A launch delay will allow Apple to devote more time to finishing iOS 16. Hence, the company will be able to shift to working on iPadOS 16.
iPadOS 16 delay
Apple is planning to delay the launch of iPadOS 16 until October, which means the iPad software will not launch alongside iOS 16 in September as it typically does, reports Bloomberg.
Stage Manager is limited to the M1 iPad Pro and iPad Air models, and it is not available on older iPads, which has caused some controversy. Apple maintains that it is not possible to offer an acceptable multitasking experience on older iPads, hence the limitation.
Apple separated iPadOS in 2019. iPadOS releases have been related to iOS releases, with iPhone and iPad updates occurring simultaneously. The delayed launch of iPadOS 16 will mark a departure from Apple’s standard release plans.
Introducing iPadOS 16 in October means the software will be timed to launch closer to new iPads. Apple is developing a new M2 version of the iPad Pro with an M2 chip, and an entry-level iPad that features a USB-C port, both of which are expected to debut later this year.
A delay between iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 could hurt developers, says developer James Thomson. It’s impossible to separate universal apps built with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 APIs. Developers must delay app releases until iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 released.
Apple has separated iOS and iPadOS before. 2019’s iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 were released on September 19 and 24. First iPadOS 13 version released was iPadOS 13.1. iPadOS 13 never left beta.
iOS 16 release date
iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 were released immediately after the WWDC keynote on June 7. The public beta was released on July 11.
Apple said iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 would be released in “the fall” of 2022, without specifying a date, but previous releases can give us a ballpark idea.
Apple announced iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 on September 20 last year, six days after announcing the iPhone 13 series.
iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 will likely appear after the iPhone 14 series is announced in September 2022. Bloomberg reported in early August that Apple will delay iPadOS 16 until October, meaning the iPad software won’t launch alongside the new iOS.
Compatibility
iPadOS 16 is compatible with the iPad (5th generation and later), iPad mini (5th generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), and all iPad Pro models.
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