Apple releases new operating system updates every year. iPadOS 19 along with the other expected updates will be revealed during WWDC in June 2025.
Very few leaks occur around operating system updates due to the limited staff with access to the secret information. Some leaks occur due to them applying to wider strategies, like around Apple Intelligence.
The iPad operating system doesn't always get the same features as iOS every year. Sometimes, Apple releases a feature for iPhone one year, then brings it to iPad the next.
Apps like Apple Journal could finally make the jump from iPhone to other platforms. Apple has several apps that are iPhone only or not entirely optimized for iPad that could be updated.
Rumors indicate that Apple could bring significant multitasking and productivity-focused updates to the tablet operating system. Some suggest a Menu Bar could appear when an iPad is attached to a Magic Keyboard, or more windowing options for apps will be available.
Updates introduced in iOS 19 will likely be brought to iPadOS 19 as well. Apple usually introduces features that trickle down through all the operating systems, but some may be limited to iPhone.
iPadOS 19 accessibility updates
Apple has made it a habit to announce accessibility features for upcoming operating systems ahead of WWDC. There's nothing here hinting at an operating system redesign, but there are a lot of great quality-of-life updates for users that need them.
App Store apps will gain an Accessibility Nutrition LabelThe new features include:
- Accessibility Nutrition Labels on the App Store
- Magnifier for Mac
- Braille Access
- Accessibility Reader
- Live captions on Apple Watch
- Live Recognition in Apple Vision Pro
Accessibility Nutrition Labels give users an overview of what features are compatible with a given app in the App Store. It could help push some apps to adopt features in order to help promote them as accessible apps.
Braille access is a big update, bringing support for braille across the system like taking notes or transcribing conversations. Braille Access also works as an app launcher and Braille Ready Format file support.
Accessibility Reader lets users adjust font size, color, spacing, and other settings. It is available within any app, including the Magnifier app.
More features are coming to Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro as well. Plus, Apple plans to update existing features.
- Eye Tracking on iPhone and iPad
- Head Tracking to control devices with head movements
- Switch Control for Brain Computer Interfaces
- Assistive Access for the Apple TV app
- Customizable Music Haptics on iPhone
- Sound Recognition gains Name Recognition
- Voice Control for Xcode
- New languages in Live Captions
- Large Text in CarPlay
The features are expected as a part of iOS 19, macOS 16, visionOS 3, tvOS 19, and watchOS 12. They could arrive in the initial release or in a point one or two update before the end of 2025.
The public will get access to iPadOS 19 and the other updates in September after the iPhone 17 is revealed. A beta will be held through the summer starting the day of the WWDC keynote in June.
