In September 2024, Apple rolled out iPadOS 18, bringing a noteworthy upgrade to its tablet operating system, featuring innovative productivity tools such as Math Notes, Smart Script, and a new Calculator app.
However, the most anticipated element of iPadOS 18, dubbed Apple Intelligence, won’t be available until the release of iPadOS 18.1. Nevertheless, the update still offers a wealth of new features, including enhanced customization options for the home screen, lock screen, and Control Center, an updated Photos app, and improvements to Messages and Safari, among many others.
iPadOS 18 appears to significantly enhance the overall tablet experience, prioritizing functional improvements over just aesthetic upgrades. For the first time, third-party applications can now connect with the Control Center, allowing for further personalization of lock screen shortcuts, like the Flashlight and Camera, to your preferred default apps.
Moreover, a new floating tab bar is being introduced across some applications to streamline navigation. The SharePlay feature is set to include a screen-sharing function, enabling users to interact with and take control of another person’s iPad for tech support. Another standout highlight is Smart Script, an innovative feature empowered by machine learning technology.
iPads Compatible with iPadOS 18
This time, the compatibility situation is somewhat complex. Among all the iPads that can run iPadOS 18, the experience will vary depending on the model. Notably, the complete set of Apple Intelligence features necessitates an iPad equipped with at least an M-series chip, meaning models with A-series processors—including the current iPad mini—will miss out. Only the iPad Air and iPad Pro models released in 2021 or later are eligible for the full experience.
For clarity, here’s the complete list of iPads that support iPadOS 18. Models capable of running Apple Intelligence are marked with an asterisk (*).
- iPad Pro (M4)*
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th and 6th generation)*
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd and 4th generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd and 4th generation)*
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st and 2nd generation)
- iPad Air (M2)*
- iPad Air (5th generation)*
- iPad Air (3rd and 4th generation)
- iPad (7th generation and later)
- iPad mini (5th generation and later)
It’s important to note that the Apple Intelligence features won’t be part of iPadOS 18.0; they are projected to arrive with iPadOS 18.1 next month.
How to Back Up Your iPad
Prior to initiating any major iPadOS upgrade, it is crucial to back up your device. While iPadOS 18 has generally proved stable, individual experiences may differ. Some users have encountered issues while installing it on Apple’s top-of-the-line M4 iPad Pro, so creating a backup before updating is advisable.
You can find detailed instructions on backing up your iPad in our article dedicated to that topic.
Keep in mind that you cannot restore a backup made from a later version of iPadOS onto a device running an earlier version. Therefore, it’s wise to create an extra backup while you’re still on iPadOS 17 to safeguard against potential issues that might arise after the upgrade, allowing you to revert back to iPadOS 17 if necessary. If you’re relying on automatic iCloud backups, your iPadOS 17 backup may soon be overwritten by a backup from iPadOS 18.
Installing iPadOS 18 on Your iPad
Once you’ve completed your backup, you’re ready to install iPadOS 18.
Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPad.
Step 2: Choose General.
Step 3: Click on Software Update.
Step 4: Depending on your current version of iPadOS, you might initially see an option to install iPadOS 17.7. If that’s the case, simply scroll down and choose Upgrade to iPadOS 18.
Step 5: Select the blue Update Now button, enter your device’s passcode, and commence the installation of iPadOS 18 on your tablet.
Depending on your iPad model, the download, preparation, and installation may take up to an hour or more. After this process completes, your device will restart, guiding you through the familiar setup and welcome screens.