IPadOS 18
iPadOS 18 is the sixth major release of Apple's iPadOS operating system for the iPad. It was revealed at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference. It is the direct successor to iPadOS 17 and was announced alongside iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, visionOS 2, watchOS 11, and tvOS 18.
iPadOS 18 is the first version of iPadOS to include Apple’s Calculator application for iPad, as well as Apple Intelligence.
iPadOS 18 is the final version of iPadOS that supports the seventh-generation iPad.
System features
Apple Intelligence
The Apple Intelligence platform is available in iPadOS 18.1 and beyond on iPads that have an M1 SoC or later. Apple intelligence also adds Artificial intelligence capabilities and large language models, a new version of Siri, and other features, such as the image creation tools.Stage Manager
Stage Manager is a new window management feature on the iPad. Full screen app windows may be resized to any predetermined size by dragging the app's corner markers. Calculator, for example, may be resized to a smaller window having iPhone's tall aspect ratios.Home screen
iPadOS 18 features many of the new home screen customization features introduced in iOS 18 such as icon tinting, dark themed icons, and the ability to move icons anywhere.Calculator
iPadOS 18’s Calculator introduces Math Notes, a new feature that allows users to perform and track calculations on separate sheets, solve mathematical equations, and plot functions on graphs. With integrated handwriting recognition, Math Notes automatically evaluates user input and displays the results in their own handwriting. The redesigned Calculator app, now shared between iOS and iPadOS, marks the first time an official calculator has been available for iPad.Control Center
Similarly to iOS 18, the Control Center is now more customizable with resizable buttons, shortcuts, and functions.Locking/hiding applications
In iPadOS 18, applications that are visible to the user can be locked, or hidden. Locked apps require passcode/biometric authentication to run. Hidden apps are moved to a designated 'Hidden' folder in the App Library; accessing that folder requires passcode/biometric authentication.Issues
iPad Pro (M4) bricking issues
Many users trying to upgrade iPad Pro models with M4 chips to iPadOS 18.0 reported that the device powered off during the update process, causing the iPad to become bricked. Apple pulled the update and blocked installation and restoration to iPadOS 18.0 on M4 iPad Pros. On October 3, 2024, Apple released iPadOS 18.0.1, which allowed iPad Pro with M4 chips to update to iPadOS 18 without potential bricking issues.In-app purchasing blockage
During the update of iPadOS 18.2 on December 11, 2024, many users were unable to make in-app purchases, gaining much of its notoriety. This issue was fixed after the release of iPadOS 18.3 in late January 2025.Supported devices
iPadOS 18 drops support for the iPad and the iPad Pro, which feature an A10 SoC and an A10X SoC, respectively. However, iPadOS 18 continues to support the iPad, which also features an A10 SoC. This marks the first time Apple has dropped support for an iPad while retaining support for another model featuring the same or a less powerful system on a chip. The operating system also drops support for all iPads that use the original 9.7-inch display size.The iPad is the only supported iPad without Apple Neural Engine, while the iPad Air is the only supported iPad with a 10.5-inch display.
The new Apple Intelligence functions require iPads with an A17 Pro SoC, or an M1 SoC or later, which are only available on the iPad Mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.
iPads with an A10 SoC have limited support.
iPads with an A12, A13, A14, A15, or A16 SoC have features that are not supported on older iPads.
iPads with an A12X or A12Z SoC have partial support.
iPads with an M-series or A17 Pro SoC have full support.
iPads that support iPadOS 18 are:
| Device | Supported | Apple Intelligence support |
| iPad | ||
| iPad | ||
| iPad | ||
| iPad | ||
| iPad | ||
| iPad mini | ||
| iPad mini | ||
| iPad mini | ||
| iPad Air | ||
| iPad Air | ||
| iPad Air | ||
| iPad Air | ||
| iPad Air | ||
| iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch | ||
| iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch | ||
| iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch | ||
| iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch | ||
| iPad Pro 11-inch and 13-inch |
Release history
The first developer beta of iPadOS 18 was released on June 10, 2024.| Previous release | Current release | Current beta release | Security response |
| Version | Build | Release date | Release notes | - |
| 18.0 | 22A3354 | September 16, 2024 | - | |
| 18.0 | 22A8350 | October 23, 2024 | Initial release for iPad Mini | - |
| 18.0.1 | 22A3370 | October 3, 2024 | - | |
| 18.0.1 | 22A8380 | October 22, 2024 | iPad Mini only | - |
| 18.1 | 22B83 | October 28, 2024 | - | |
| 18.1.1 | 22B91 | November 19, 2024 | - | |
| 18.2 | 22C152 | December 11, 2024 | - | |
| 18.2.1 | 22C161 | January 6, 2025 | - | |
| 18.3 | 22D63 | January 27, 2025 | - | |
| 18.3.1 | 22D72 | February 10, 2025 | - | |
| 18.3.2 | 22D82 | March 11, 2025 | - | |
| 18.4 | 22E240 | March 31, 2025 | - | |
| 18.4.1 | 22E252 | April 16, 2025 | - | |
| 18.5 | 22F76 | May 12, 2025 | - | |
| 18.6 | 22G86 | July 29, 2025 | - | |
| 18.6.1 | 22G90 | August 14, 2025 | Available as an IPSW only | - |
| 18.6.2 | 22G100 | August 20, 2025 | - | |
| 18.7 | 22H20 | September 15, 2025 | - | |
| 18.7.1 | 22H31 | September 29, 2025 | - | |
| 18.7.2 | 22H124 | November 5, 2025 | - | |
| 18.7.3 | 22H217 | December 12, 2025 | Release candidate was released for all devices but final build for iPad only. | - |
| 18.7.4 | 22H218 | January 26, 2026 | iPad and iPad only |