The Files app isn’t really relevant to that question. The main issue is that Apple doesn’t allow jitting on iPadOS, so Electron apps aren’t practical. Execution of remotely loaded code might also be an issue w.r.t. Apple’s policies.
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Apple Says iPadOS 26 is Compatible With These iPad Models
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This is the BIGGEST update to iPadOS that Apple has ever released! iPadOS 26 is truly the iPadOS for ultra pros!
It’s nice to see my ninth generation iPad getting one more update, it’s way underpowered for these latest versions, hopefully it doesn’t become glacierly slow. 
I probably won’t use the windowing on the mini 5, but it’s good that it isn’t cut off from new OS versions yet.
This is a massive step forward for the platform and as a die-hard Mac user could almost get me into the idea of using an iPad for productivity. There's still some huge advantages to the Mac, but it's great they're starting to really close the gap.
Yes. At least in some countries, devices with direct phone capabilities have different regulatory requirements.
So what I'm trying to figure out here is if the M1 iPad Pros are getting ALL the features or not. The listing is strange on this list. Anyone able to chime in?
I will trade in the 5 before it won't get any further upgrades, and get something for it at least. It serves as a timer only for me now. I will do well with only 6 and 7.
Surely the M1 iPad Air is supported, I mean the M1 destroys the A12X from 2018.
Yes all iPad Airs starting with the A12 one are supported.
Yes all iPad Airs starting with the A12 one are supported.
I’ll be waiting for the OLED iPad mini in 2027. Even if the mini 5 doesn’t get iPadOS 27, that extra year or so won’t be a problem.
So does this mean we'll finally have full screen external display support for non-M-chip iPads?
They have to list it separately because Apple has changed the official way they name devices and right now and for the next several years we’re gonna have to deal with this ugly way of listing multiple devices (I mean we’ll have to deal with it forever depending on the list). I do think the new way is better and that Apple made the right choice in changing but I understand that Apple can’t go back and change previous device’s official names, but I wish they could, it would make this much simpler. Obviously it’s even confusing people in this forum, because people have proven they don’t know how to read and comprehend things lol.
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This means that the only iPad model that supports iPadOS 18, but not iPadOS 26, is the lower-cost iPad (7th generation).
Apple today announced that iPadOS 26 will be compatible with the iPad models listed below.
iPadOS 26 features a new Liquid Glass design, a menu bar, improved app windowing, and more.
iPadOS 26 supports the following iPad models:
This means that the only iPad model that supports iPadOS 18, but not iPadOS 26, is the lower-cost iPad (7th generation).
- iPad Pro (M4)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
- iPad Air (M2 and later)
- iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
- iPad (A16)
- iPad (8th generation and later)
- iPad mini (A17 Pro)
- iPad mini (5th generation and later)
The first iPadOS 26 developer beta is available starting today, and a public beta will follow next month. The update will be released later this year.
Article Link: Apple Says iPadOS 26 is Compatible With These iPad Models
Please don’t forget iPad mini 5 & 6!!! iPad mini 6 got iPadOS 18 but not 26
It literally says right there that iPad mini 5th gen and later is getting 26, what are you talking about?
I'm 100% sure they are, as it'd be way too soon for M1 iPads of any variant to suddenly be excluded when intel-based Macs can install macOS Tahoe 🤔 While the next macOS will be M1 and up, I feel we'd have 3-5 years before iPads with M1-series chips would be excluded.
I wonder how this will feel compared to iPad os 18 with the older mini 5. It’s been a horrible experience when typing in notes, like 2-3 second delays between typing. It can’t be worse right?
Pretty amazing that my iPad Pro 12.9" 4th gen lives on!
Though I will have to upgrade my beloved iPhone XS.
Though I will have to upgrade my beloved iPhone XS.
Welp, happy I returned the 256GB M4 for the 1TB Cellular M4 with the 16GB of RAM. I think this sucker will last me a long time now and excited to upgrade to iPadOS 26.
I was already loving what I could do with it and being able to leave my beast of an MBP 16” in my bag or at home. Gonna be even better now… Going to be interesting to see what all I can do with my 15.6” OLED travel monitor that I used with my MBP for years before I could be satisfied with an OLED iPad.
The Travel monitor combined the iPad/MKB are lighter than the 16” MBP. (And take of less room too). Despite a quick 25 hour trip last week only using my iPad, its going to take some practice/willpower to try a trip without my MBP… The trip depends on the purpose too… but can’t wait for a Public RC. Don’t want to risk a beta if I can help it.
I was already loving what I could do with it and being able to leave my beast of an MBP 16” in my bag or at home. Gonna be even better now… Going to be interesting to see what all I can do with my 15.6” OLED travel monitor that I used with my MBP for years before I could be satisfied with an OLED iPad.
The Travel monitor combined the iPad/MKB are lighter than the 16” MBP. (And take of less room too). Despite a quick 25 hour trip last week only using my iPad, its going to take some practice/willpower to try a trip without my MBP… The trip depends on the purpose too… but can’t wait for a Public RC. Don’t want to risk a beta if I can help it.
This is a good update! Wonder what else they could do to make it even more comfortable. OF course Files app need much more improvement and hardcore features. Maybe they should include a new app, something similar to good old days of Total Commander and such
Just answering all of these at the same time (in case you didn’t see someone answer my question which was the same as all yours):
Apparently the iPad Air M1 was officially called iPad Air 5th Generation, so yes it is getting all the same features as the other iPads.
I’m really happy so far. This seems like the biggest update with the iPadOS in a long time. The next step is they need to make sure that virtually all features of the Mac are on the iPad. I don’t expect every feature - you’ll still install apps through the App Store. Hopefully that will include Mac apps if the developer enables it. But really the only other feature I can think of is user profiles.
it's about time macOS and iPadOS Merged and Apple did what Microsoft couldn't with Windows. 8.