IPadOS 14 explained

iPadOS 14
Developer:Apple Inc.
Programmed In:C, C++, Objective-C, Swift, assembly language
Family:Unix-like, based on Darwin (BSD), iOS
Source Model:Closed with open-source components
Marketing Target:Tablet computers
Language:40 languages[1] [2] [3] [4]
Updatemodel:OTA, software update through iTunes or Finder
Package Manager:App Store
Supported Platforms:See below
Kernel Type:Hybrid (XNU)
Ui:Cocoa Touch (multi-touch, GUI)
License:Proprietary software except for open-source components
Tagline:Looks brand new. Feels like home.
Support Status:Obsolete, no longer receiving security updates,[5] because all iPads that support iPadOS 14 support iPadOS 15 as well. Widespread third-party app support.
Other Articles:iOS 14 (derived from)
Bodystyle:width:315px
Preceded By:iPadOS 13
Succeeded By:iPadOS 15

iPadOS 14 is the second major release of the iPadOS operating system developed by Apple for their iPad line of tablet computers. It was announced on June 22, 2020 at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) as the successor to iPadOS 13, making it the second version of the iPadOS fork from iOS. It was released to the public on September 16, 2020.[6] It was succeeded by iPadOS 15 on September 20, 2021.

Features

Home screen

Widgets

To the left of the first page, the Today View now has new redesigned widgets.[7] Widgets may be added, with options for small, medium, or large widgets, but the widgets can no longer collapse or expand. Widgets of the same size may be stacked over each other and swiped between for convenience; a Smart Stack may be placed which automatically show the most relevant widget to the user based on the time of day.[8] Unlike in iOS 14, widgets cannot be placed directly on to the home screen in iPadOS 14; this was only allowed starting in iPadOS 15.

Compact UI

A series of changes were made in iPadOS 14 to reduce the visual space taken by previously full-screen interfaces; such interfaces now appear and hover in front of an app, allowing for touch (and therefore multitasking) on the app behind. Voice calling interfaces, including Phone, or other third-party apps such as Skype, are made substantially thinner,[9] taking approximately as much space as a notification. Siri's interface is now also compact.

Search and Siri

Improvements to the Search feature on the home screen were made, including a refined UI, quick launcher for apps, more detailed web search, shortcuts to in-app search, and improved as-you-type search suggestions. The search function now appears and functions more like the Spotlight Search feature of macOS.[10]

In addition to being made compact, Siri can now answer a broader set of questions and translate more languages. Users can also share their ETA with contacts and ask for cycling directions.[11]

Storage

iPadOS 14 gains the ability to mount encrypted external drives. However, this capability is limited to APFS-encrypted drives. Upon connecting an APFS-encrypted external drive to the USB-C port on the iPad, the Files app will present the external drive on the sidebar. Selecting the drive will prompt the user to enter the password to unlock the drive.

Supported devices

All iPads that supported iPadOS 13 also support iPadOS 14.

Version history

The first developer beta of iPadOS 14 was released on June 22, 2020 and the first public beta was released on July 9, 2020.[12] iPadOS 14 was officially released on September 16, 2020.[13] There was no public beta testing of 14.1.

!Version!Codename!Build!Release date!Notes!Update type
style=text-align:center14.0Azul18A373September 16, 2020Initial release, initial release for the iPad (8th generation) and the iPad Air (4th generation)Initial Release
style=text-align:center14.0.118A393September 24, 2020Bug fixes, including for an issue that could cause default browser and mail settings to reset after restarting the device[14] Bug Fixes
style=text-align:center14.118A8395October 20, 2020Improvements and bug fixes
  • Adds support for 10-bit HDR video playback and editing in Photos for iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (2nd generation) and later, iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad Pro 10.5 inch, iPad Air (3rd generation) and later, and iPad Mini (5th generation)
  • Addresses an issue where some widgets, folders, and icons were showing up in reduced size on the Home Screen
  • Fixes an issue where some emails in Mail were sent from an incorrect alias
  • Addresses an issue where some users were occasionally unable to download or add songs to their library while viewing an album or playlist, resolves an issue where streaming video resolution could temporarily be reduced at the start of playback
  • Addresses an issue in the Files app that could cause some MDM-managed cloud service providers to incorrectly display content as unavailable
Feature Update
style=text-align:center14.2AzulB18B92November 5, 2020Introduces a Shazam toggle in Control Center, revamped media controls, face detection in the Magnifier app, over 100 new emoji and eight new wallpapers in dark and light modeFeature Update
style=text-align:center14.3AzulC18C66December 14, 2020
  • New Apple TV UI
  • Apple Fitness+ support for final release
Feature Update
style=text-align:center14.4AzulD18D52January 26, 2021
  • Added a prompt asking user to allow apps to track them
  • Added the "Perspective Zoom" option to the set wallpaper block in shortcuts
Feature Update
style=text-align:center14.4.118D61March 8, 2021Security fixesBug Fixes
style=text-align:center14.4.218D70March 26, 2021Security fixesBug Fixes
style=text-align:center14.5AzulE18E199April 26, 2021UI tweaks for the Podcasts app
  • New interface for typing with Siri and sending messages with Siri
  • Support for using the Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation 5 controllers
  • New UI for Software Update in Settings
  • Full release date for songs in Apple Music
  • App Tracking Transparency goes live
  • 2 new/improved Siri voices
  • New emoji characters
Feature Update
style=text-align:center14.5.118E212May 3, 2021Security fixesBug Fixes
style=text-align:center14.6AzulF18F72May 24, 2021Bug fixes
  • Supports Apple Card Family and Podcasts subscriptions
Feature Update
style=text-align:center14.7AzulG18G69
18G70
July 21, 2021Bug fixesBug Fixes
style=text-align:center14.7.118G82July 26, 2021Bug fixesBug Fixes
style=text-align:center14.8AzulH18H17September 13, 2021Security fixesBug Fixes
style=text-align:center14.8.118H107October 26, 2021Security fixesBug Fixes

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Apple – iPad Pro – Specs. Apple Inc.. January 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190104051324/https://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/specs. January 4, 2019. live.
  2. Web site: Apple – iPad mini 4 – Specs. Apple Inc.. October 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151024031402/http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini-4/specs. October 24, 2015.
  3. Web site: Apple – iPad Air 2 – Technical Specifications. Apple Inc.. October 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151026051534/http://www.apple.com/ipad-air-2/specs. October 26, 2015.
  4. Web site: Apple – iPhone XS – Technical Specifications. Apple Inc.. January 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190104041336/https://www.apple.com/iphone-xs/specs. January 4, 2019.
  5. News: Apple says it never intended iOS 14 security updates to last forever. January 19, 2022. Ars Technica. January 19, 2022. January 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220119172748/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/01/apple-ends-security-updates-for-ios-14-pushes-users-to-install-ios-15-instead/. live.
  6. News: iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 are starting to roll out. September 16, 2020. The Verge. September 16, 2020. September 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200918231915/https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/16/21438939/ios-ipados-14-download-rollout-availability. live.
  7. Web site: iOS 14 Preview - Features. June 22, 2020. Apple. en-US. June 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200624022238/https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-14-preview/features/. live.
  8. Apple Special Event. June 22, 2020.. June 22, 2020. Apple Inc.. June 22, 2020.
  9. Apple Special Event. June 22, 2020.. June 22, 2020. Apple Inc.. June 22, 2020.
  10. Web site: iOS 14 Preview - Features. 2020-06-24. Apple. June 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200624022238/https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-14-preview/features/. live.
  11. Web site: iOS 14: Release date, New features, compatible devices, etc. 2020-06-24. 9to5Mac. en-US. June 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200623141334/https://9to5mac.com/guides/ios-14/. live.
  12. Web site: Apple releasing iOS 14 public beta today with redesigned home screen, widgets, more. 2020-07-09. 9to5Mac. Miller. Chance. July 9, 2020. July 9, 2020. July 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200709174616/https://9to5mac.com/2020/07/09/ios-14-public-beta/. live.
  13. News: Apple Releases iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 With Home Screen Redesign, App Library, Compact UI, Translate App, Scribble Support, App Clips, and More. 16 September 2020. MacRumors. 16 September 2020. January 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230111095705/https://www.macrumors.com/2020/09/16/apple-releases-ios-14/. live.
  14. Web site: Apple releases iOS 14.0.1 with bug fixes for widgets, default app settings, more. 2020-09-24. 2020-09-25. 9to5Mac. Miller. Chance. September 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200924213121/https://9to5mac.com/2020/09/24/ios-14-0-1-update-widgets-defaults/. live.