what is Apple lacking in iPadOS?

[Bubble99]

This has come up in a number of threads here in past month so that is why I'm asking now with iPadOS 26 in your opinion what is Apple lacking in iPadOS 26? What features does Apple have to add to iPadOS 27 to make it more pro?

Is most people upset because they can’t run MacOS apps on iPad? People upset because they don’t have pro apps on iPad like MacOS?

What makes MacOS better than iPadOS? What features are people looking for in iPadOS 27 to make it more pro? What is iPadOS 26 lacking?

I thought iPadOS 26 was suppose to be more pro OS?

 

[PandaPunch]

IMO, most of the discourse seems to be from people who don't fully understand that the iPad is designed differently from a Mac and will buy iPads to try to use them like Macs.

I can't think of too many things iPadOS is currently lacking. At least for my job and interests, it works fine for me. If I really wanted specific software on a tablet, I would have to go for either a Surface or get one of those Linux based tablets I've been seeing from time to time.

 

[rui no onna]

The tech pundits want the iPad to be like a Mac.

Meanwhile, your average user just happily uses their iPad for YouTube, Netflix, social media, online shopping, browsing, etc.

 

[JPack]

Some techies want their iPad to be a spork - something that does everything. Apple has made it clear they don’t do sporks.

What Apple does is try to make iPadOS the best touch interface OS possible. That means focusing all their software and hardware efforts on touch and saying no to making it a mouse and keyboard computer.

 

[sparksd]

I'm happy with iPadOS but I'd like to see fuller functionality in some apps. e.g. Adobe Lightroom, MS Office.

 

[muzzy996]

I personally don't buy into the "pro" nomenclature beyond what I personally feel is Apple's intent - to differentiate hardware specs/performance.

I also don't want MacOS on an iPad or for an iPad to be a Mac.

What I wouldn't mind having is a touchscreen based MacBook that has full access to iPadOS applications (app store) such that I can run iPad apps on it if I wish, otherwise I can run the machine as I normally would with desktop apps. I'd pay a premium for that functionality and I don't think such a machine should fall on the lower end of MacBook Pro pricing since it essentially would be a 2-in-1 device. A Surface Pro like MacBook with an otherwise unaltered version of MacOS on it with the ability to run any/all iPad applications (3rd party or otherwise) would be an instant buy for me even if it were priced in the $2.5k-3.5k range. I don't think Apple should mess with a good thing, so I don't think that MacOS should be butchered to make it a touch based OS. It's up to Apple if they want to create such a niche product, and I'm fine either way.

As far as iPadOS itself goes, as an iPad Mini 6/7 user I'm mostly fine with the state of things at this point and primarily would like to see general UI improvements to things like Control Center and Today View along with some additional flexibility for the home screen grid to make better use of screen real estate on iPads for all of those areas.

As it stands now, pulling down the Control Center shade or the Today View panel and having just a fraction of the screen available to you for that is ridiculous. There's tons of wasted space on home screens as well. I'd like to see functionality added to allow user selection of the amount of padding so that the default look can remain for the majority of users but those who do want to have more icons/information on said screens can opt to do so.

 

[rui no onna]

As it stands now, pulling down the Control Center shade or the Today View panel and having just a fraction of the screen available to you for that is ridiculous. There's tons of wasted space on home screens as well. I'd like to see functionality added to allow user selection of the amount of padding so that the default look can remain for the majority of users but those who do want to have more icons/information on said screens can opt to do so.

Ugh yes. The wasted space particularly with folders is one of the things I hated going from iOS 6 to 7. I open a folder and I can see all my apps. Not just a 3x3/4x4 grid requiring constant scrolling.

iOS 14 had a clean-looking home screen and was fairly efficient space-wise but the introduction of widgets put us back on the starting line.

 

[Digitalguy]

Apple cannot force developers to make full versions of their desktop apps available on iPad... So asking for that is asking for the impossible.
However, a few things they CAN do (but probably won't, often citing security as an excuse, the same security that is not an issue on a Mac):
- Allow iPads to have universal control and sidecar with another iPad (and have audio when used in sidecar mode, currenty Mac can have audio but not iPads). Also use a Mac for sidecar from iPad (e.g. an iMac or a Mac mini monitor)
- Allow remoting into iPads (their customer service already do).
- Allow iPads to do iPhone mirroring (touch could be used)
- Allow Apple watch to unlock iPads
- Allow full third party browsers (cannot force them, but they can allow them).
- And last and least likely of all, put back Hypervisor in iPadOS and allow developers like UTM to put their full version on the iPad (you can do with an hack in older versions of iPadOS) which allows to virtualise other OSs (Windows, Linux or even MacOS itself).

 

[Royksöpp]

I hate having to use an app for file management. It's so clunky compared to finder. I would also like a Mac style quick look. Once again, it's slow and clunky to have to preview a file in the preview app. Force touch look up should be included on the M4 iPad Pro magic keyboard. I'm not asking for a lot, just simple features that make the user experience smoother and less clunky.

 

[Bubble99]

I hate having to use an app for file management. It's so clunky compared to finder. I would also like a Mac style quick look. Once again, it's slow and clunky to have to preview a file in the preview app. Force touch look up should be included on the M4 iPad Pro magic keyboard. I'm not asking for a lot, just simple features that make the user experience smoother and less clunky.

What is wrong with the iPad files app?

 

[It’s always something]

I hate having to use an app for file management. It's so clunky compared to finder.

(Finder is an app)

 

[cSalmon]

I really want / need the ability to have two different identities like you can in Mac OS. I need to hand my iPad to multiple people/clients and I don't want them to have access to Mail, Notes or a slew of other personal info.

it sorely needs a generic guest login that locks out all the administrator's data, but lets them use the software we are working with

 

[007p]

- And last and least likely of all, put back Hypervisor in iPadOS and allow developers like UTM to put their full version on the iPad (you can do with an hack in older versions of iPadOS) which allows to virtualise other OSs (Windows, Linux or even MacOS itself).

It could be done so well. I don’t really understand why you can’t build / develop iPhone apps on an iPad.
Having VMs would be such a nice middle ground. They would be completely sandboxed, wouldn’t get in the way of your standard user and keep the iPad as it is. You don’t even *need* a mouse and keyboard, Remote Desktop apps have touch. Sure they are better with a mouse and keyboard, but it’s not needed.

Alas, it will never happen. Not because the hardware isn’t capable, not because the software isn’t capable, but because Apple doesn’t want to risk anything that might trouble its App Store ecosystem.

 

[xxFoxtail]

One thing I'd like to see is clamshell mode. When I’m docked at my desk, I don’t use my iPad screen at all. I'd typically dim it to its lowest brightness setting. It's a waste of energy powering the iPad screen.

I’d also like to see multiple users at some point.

 

[Digitalguy]

It could be done so well. I don’t really understand why you can’t build / develop iPhone apps on an iPad.
Having VMs would be such a nice middle ground. They would be completely sandboxed, wouldn’t get in the way of your standard user and keep the iPad as it is. You don’t even *need* a mouse and keyboard, Remote Desktop apps have touch. Sure they are better with a mouse and keyboard, but it’s not needed.

Alas, it will never happen. Not because the hardware isn’t capable, not because the software isn’t capable, but because Apple doesn’t want to risk anything that might trouble its App Store ecosystem.

Not only is it possible, but I do have an iPad running Windows virtualizied and it runs it perfectly (and it's the slowest M series, a M1 with 16GB RAM). But I have to keep it on iPadOS 15 to run it. While on my Macbook I run the same UTM as I want.
As you say, Apple does not want to take risks on their store fees and they removed hypervisor when the EU decided that sideloading should be allowed on Apple mobile devices.

For now the second best option is remote desktop and that works well enough, the only downside is that you need a decent internet connection, while a VM is always available. Probably in the US it's very rare not to have a good connection, even on flights apparently you have internet. Here in Europe, it's not the same thing... And forget internet on a plane with most airlines...

 

[Bubble99]

(Finder is an app)

Finder is not available for the iPad.

The iPad has files app.

 

[It’s always something]

Finder is not available for the iPad.

The iPad has files app.

Yes, obviously 🙂 But the poster I quoted implied that Finder is not an app, and that was the only point I made.

 

[Rade0]

I agree with the whole spork argument and bought my iPad a to be a bit more than a large phone but also not expecting that much more. That said file management and working on office documents has been a real disappointment.

However, seeing as OP asked, I will state my wish list below. Yes it sounds like I’m asking for a SporkBook Pro but fantasies are fantastical 😂.

Fixes:

• Better (or at least working for the basics) file management for USB drives. I’m sure Apple imagine a word where everyone uses AFS on their external drives, as MS will see a world where everyone uses NTFS… but yeah I use the interoperable exFAT format which work between Mac, Windows, and Linux, but is terrible on iPadOS.
• Stop air playing every video or website with a background video taking over when I’m casting YouTube/whatever to the tv and want to keep using the iPad.
• Increase the amount of info on widgets to take account of the screen size and resolution. Looking at you calendar widget.
• Allow suggesting saved passwords for development sites on the local network that aren’t in the format https://subdomain.domain.tld

Changes (I know, I know “get a MacBook” but this is a persons wish list - I want it all!):

• Multi user login (thanks for the reminder @Lounge vibes 05)
• Ability to control the system - sudo and root file system access. This, to me, means true ownership, and developers will be able to do all sorts of cool stuff and we can install software normally instead of through the App Store (I deliberately say “normally” instead of “sideloading”)
• Ability to properly open editable files with third party apps instead of “importing”. Hate working on documents on my iPad
• Pages/keynote etc to at least support open document formats (eg .ods) if not MS office types (fair enough on the matter 👅).

How those changes could be achieved without just running Mac OS when the keyboard is attached… as I say I’m being ideas not designs!

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I really want / need the ability to have two different identities like you can in Mac OS. I need to hand my iPad to multiple people/clients and I don't want them to have access to Mail, Notes or a slew of other personal info.

it sorely needs a generic guest login that locks out all the administrator's data, but lets them use the software we are working with

OK, I know it’s not a replacement for multiple user logins and by no means am I saying that it is…
However, doesn’t locking apps behind FaceID, which you can do by just long pressing on any icon, do the trick at least temporarily?
Lock Mail, Notes, etc.

 

[cSalmon]

No and sort of
it does for mail, of course I’m wondering did I re-lock it, what else was I suppose to lock

In the case of photos and notes I really need to use those but don’t want to take the time to lock each note or photo album (time always seems rushed when you’re working with others and things need to get done now)

On the Mac OS it’s just so nice to sign out and sign in as different user having access to all the apps, knowing if someone is using my iPad they are only logged in as generic guest account

 

[TigerMSTR]

The iPad is missing ease of use. iPadOS is the most convoluted, difficult to use consumer operating system I’ve ever had the displeasure of using. The iPad’s world class hardware and form factor are the only thing keeping this godforsaken operating system viable in the market.

I have no interest in any new features until Apple makes the iPad easier to use.

 

[rui no onna]

The iPad is missing ease of use. iPadOS is the most convoluted, difficult to use consumer operating system I’ve ever had the displeasure of using. The iPad’s world class hardware and form factor are the only thing keeping this godforsaken operating system viable in the market.

I have no interest in any new features until Apple makes the iPad easier to use.

If you started using Macs, then sure.

Personally, my first Apple device is the iPhone (well, iPod Video). Going from iPhone to iPad was a much easier transition than going from iPhone to Mac.

 

[Bubble99]

If you started using Macs, then sure.

Personally, my first Apple device is the iPhone (well, iPod Video). Going from iPhone to iPad was a much easier transition than going from iPhone to Mac.

The iPad is very easy and user friendly more so than Windows, Linux or MacOS it simple and really lightweight OS. But what is not user friendly is Apple keeps changing things, look at the multitasking on iPad what a mess it is, one way than later on the three dots and later on the traffic lights and bringing back Split View and slide over in worried way.

That is not user friendly. Apple gives you a feature and you learn how to use it than Apple changes how to use the feature and you are confused and have to learn how to use it again than in year or two Apple changes the feature again and you are confused and have to learn how to use it again than Apple removes the feature and later on bring it back in a worried way. This is a big mess on Apple part.

Are we using the three dots or the traffic lights and why is Split View and slide over back in worried way.

By the time I learn how to use the traffic lights Apple will remove it and bring some thing else out and change Split View and slide over again.

Honestly I think time to switch to Android as I’m sick of Apple that keeps removing and changing and bringing back and modify it, just leave Split View and slide over the way it first came out as Apple got it right the first time.

Strange manger and floating apps only make sense on a 14 inch plus iPad screens or more not on 10 or 11 inch screen.

And changing the wallpaper on the Home Screen and Lock Screen use to be more user friendly before. Apple changes how to use it and made it more complex on how to use it because Apple was too lazy to add other sub category for changing the Lock Screen text.

 

[Ste_S]

Some techies want their iPad to be a spork - something that does everything. Apple has made it clear they don’t do sporks.

What Apple does is try to make iPadOS the best touch interface OS possible. That means focusing all their software and hardware efforts on touch and saying no to making it a mouse and keyboard computer.

It's not the 'techies' fault. Apple has made it very clear that they sell sporks at £1k+ for an iPad Pro. Your next computer is not a computer, etc.

 

[rui no onna]

The iPad is very easy and user friendly more so than Windows, Linux or MacOS it simple and really lightweight OS. But what is not user friendly is Apple keeps changing things, look at the multitasking on iPad what a mess it is, one way than later on the three dots and later on the traffic lights and bringing back Split View and slide over in worried way.

That is not user friendly. Apple gives you a feature and you learn how to use it than Apple changes how to use the feature and you are confused and have to learn how to use it again than in year or two Apple changes the feature again and you are confused and have to learn how to use it again than Apple removes the feature and later on bring it back in a worried way. This is a big mess on Apple part.

Are we using the three dots or the traffic lights and why is Split View and slide over back in worried way.

By the time I learn how to use the traffic lights Apple will remove it and bring some thing else out and change Split View and slide over again.

Honestly I think time to switch to Android as I’m sick of Apple that keeps removing and changing and bringing back and modify it, just leave Split View and slide over the way it first came out as Apple got it right the first time.

Strange manger and floating apps only make sense on a 14 inch plus iPad screens or more not on 10 or 11 inch screen.

And changing the wallpaper on the Home Screen and Lock Screen use to be more user friendly before. Apple changes how to use it and made it more complex on how to use it because Apple was too lazy to add other sub category for changing the Lock Screen text.

While iPads have gotten less intuitive over the years, I feel like it's even more of a wild wild west with Android. UI varies if you get Google Pixel vs Samsung, etc.

I agree, Split View and Slide Over are better optimized for the iPad's small display. Honestly though, my parents, aunts, etc. just use the full screen app mode. The changes to multitasking doesn't affect them at all.