Apple Announces iPadOS 16, Featuring New Lock Screen, Enhanced Multitasking, Weather App, and More

Apple today unveiled iPadOS 16, which includes several new features common to iOS 16 in addition to new collaboration and multitasking features and a dedicated Weather app.

Apple WWDC22 iPadOS16 hero 220606 big
Collaboration is a set of new features available in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, allowing users to work together on projects in Apple's apps in more ways than ever and in real time.

New features in Messages allow users to start collaborating and manage shared content across Files, Keynote, Numbers, Pages, Notes, Reminders, and Safari, as well as third-party apps.

Apple WWDC22 iPadOS16 Messages 220606
For example, when users send an invitation to collaborate via Messages, everyone on the thread is automatically added to the document, spreadsheet, or project. When someone makes a change to a shared file, everyone can see updates right at the top of the Messages thread. And when a user is working on a collaborative project, they can jump into the associated Messages conversation or tap to start a FaceTime call with their collaborators.

freeform 1
Apple will also in future bring a new Freeform app to iPadOS 16. It's like a digital whiteboard that Apple says is perfect for brainstorming sessions, and gives users the ability to see, share, and collaborate all in one place, with full support for Apple Pencil. Users can view others' contributions as they add content or make edits in real time. Freeform also allows collaborators to start a session from ‌FaceTime‌ and see the updates from others right in the Messages thread.

Apple Mail is also getting several enhancements in iPadOS 16, including the ability to cancel the delivery of a message and schedule emails. A new Remind Later feature re-surfaces messages at a specified time, and users can get notified if they forget to include an important part of the message, like an attachment or recipient.

In addition, Apple says an all-new search experience delivers more complete and accurate results by correcting typos and using synonyms for search terms, and allows users to see a richer view of contacts, shared content, and more.

Apple WWDC22 iPadOS16 iCloud sharing 220606
Apple is also bringing a new iCloud Shared Photo Library to iPad that allows up to six family members to collaborate and share photos in Memories, Featured Photos, and the ‌Photos‌ Widget. Users can share all their past photos, or use setup tools to contribute specific photos based on a start date or people in the photos. ‌Photos‌ can be added to the collection manually, or through Bluetooth proximity or sharing suggestions in For You. When anyone in the Shared Library adds, edits, or deletes photos, the library is updated for everyone.

Elsewhere, Safari is gaining new customization and collaboration options. Shared Tab Groups allow users to collaborate on a set of tabs with friends and see updates instantly while they work together, share tabs and bookmarks, and start a conversation right from Safari. Tab Groups also get dedicated start pages that can be customized with a background image, bookmarks, and unique sections everyone can see and edit.

Apple WWDC22 iPadOS16 Safari shared Tab Groups 220606 big
Safari on ‌iPad‌ is also gaining passkeys, which Apple says is an easier and safer sign-in method designed to replace passwords on the web and in apps. Passkeys are kept on ‌iPad‌ to prevent hackers from leaking them or tricking users into sharing them. They are specific to the sites users create them for, and users can sign in to websites or apps on Apple and non-Apple devices with their saved passkey by scanning the QR code with ‌iPad‌, and using Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate.

Stage Manager is a new multitasking experience that automatically organizes apps and windows to make it quicker and easier to switch between tasks. For the first time on ‌iPad‌, users can create overlapping windows of different sizes in a single view, drag and drop windows from the side, or open apps from the Dock to create groups of apps. The window of the app users are working on is displayed prominently in the center, and other open apps and windows are arranged on the left-hand side in order of recency.

Apple WWDC22 iPadOS16 external displays 220606 big
Available on iPad Pro and iPad Air with the M1 chip, ‌Stage Manager‌ comes with full external display support with resolutions of up to 6K, so users can work with up to four apps on ‌iPad‌ and four apps on the external display.

In other feature additions, Live Text is coming to video, making text completely interactive in paused video frames, Display Zoom allows users to increase the pixel density of the display so they can view more in their apps, a new Reference Mode enables the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ with Liquid Retina XDR display to match the color requirements in workflows, and Virtual Memory Swap lets ‌iPad‌ storage be used to expand the available memory for all apps.

weather ipad
Lastly, Apple is bringing a dedicated Weather app for the ‌iPad‌. With just a tap, users can see the most important weather information, or explore maps to check precipitation, air quality, and temperature. Users can also be notified when a severe weather alert is issued in their area, or check the air quality using a color-coded scale. WeatherKit is also coming for developers to tap into the Weather app's features.

The developer preview of iPadOS 16 is available to Apple Developer Program members starting today, and a public beta will be available to iPadOS users next month.

Popular Stories

apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
iphone 16 pro pro max

iPhone 17 Pro Models With BOE Displays Will Be Sold in China Only

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:59 pm PDT by
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models with displays made by BOE will be sold exclusively in China, according to a new report. Last week, it emerged that Chinese display manufacturer BOE was aggressively ramping up its OLED production capacity for future iPhone models as part of a plan to recapture a major role in Apple's supply chain. Now, tech news aggregator Jukan Choi reports...
top stories 2025 07 12

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, iOS 26 Beta 3, and More

Saturday July 12, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
The iOS 26 public beta release is quickly approaching, while developers have recently gotten their hands on a third round of betas that has seen Apple continue to tweak features, design, and functionality. We're also continuing to hear rumors about the iPhone 17 lineup that is now just about right around the corner, while Apple's latest big-budget film appears to be taking off, so read on...

Top Rated Comments

boston04and07 Avatar
41 months ago
where’s the calculator app
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
UltimateSyn Avatar
41 months ago
Weather on iPad after twelve years!!! Let's go!!!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rudy69 Avatar
41 months ago
I feel like Stage Manager isn't quite what people wanted when they asked for 'windows'.

I know it's not what I wanted
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnmarki Avatar
41 months ago
I may be in a small percentage of users, but I adore "Spaces" and the Stage Manager feature not only injects more power into that idea, but it seems streamlined, and the aesthetics (from what was shown) look brilliant. And....thats just one aspect of what Stage Manager can/will do! This, so far as I've learned and have been shown today, is my personal standout feature announced.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GMShadow Avatar
41 months ago
Per Apple’s site the Air 2 and Mini 4 are cut off, but everything else that ran 15 gets 16.



Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justin Cymbal Avatar
41 months ago
I really would’ve liked to see Apple add HealthKit to iPadOS 16 but hopefully they add it to iPadOS next year

I use my iPad Pro throughout the day as my main device for getting work done and it would be a lot more convenient to be able to use HealthKit on a much bigger screen than on my iPhone
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)