IPadOS 15 explained

iPadOS 15
Version Of:	iPadOS
Developer:	Apple Inc.
Family:	Unix-like, based on Darwin (BSD), iOS
Source Model:	Closed with open-source components
Ga Date:	^[1]
Marketing Target:	Tablet Computers
Programmed In:	C, C++, Objective-C, Swift, assembly language
Language:	40 languages^[2] ^[3] ^[4] ^[5]
Update Model:	OTA, software update through iTunes, Apple Configurator, or Finder
Package Manager:	App Store
Supported Platforms:	See below
Kernel Type:	Hybrid (XNU)
Ui:	Cocoa Touch (multi-touch, GUI)
License:	Proprietary software with open-source components
Preceded By:	iPadOS 14
Succeeded By:	iPadOS 16
Tagline:	Works wonders. With ease.
Other Articles:	iOS 15 (derived from)

iPadOS 15 is the third major release of the iPadOS operating system developed by Apple for its iPad line of tablet computers. The successor to iPadOS 14, it was announced at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 7, 2021 along with iOS 15, macOS Monterey, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15.^{[6] [7]} It was released to the public on September 20, 2021. It was succeeded by iPadOS 16, which was released on October 24, 2022.

iPadOS 15 is the final version of iPadOS that supports the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 4.

Features

Home screen

The home screen grid is reduced by one row to accommodate the new widgets when placed (23 icons), and rotates in portrait orientation, just like iOS 12 and earlier.

Widgets

Widgets can now be placed directly anywhere on the home screen. There are more widgets, many of which now have a new fourth size to pick from, being extra-large.^[8]

App Library

iPadOS 15 introduces the App Library from the iPhone in iOS 14 to the iPad.^[9]

Multitasking

New multitasking user interface allows users to enter split view, slide over, enter full screen with quick gestures. The multi window shelf gives quick access to all running apps.

Quick Note

A new feature, called Quick Note, can be taken by swiping from the corner with fingers or the Apple Pencil, the Control Center or a keyboard shortcut.^[10]

Safari

Safari has been redesigned, as in iOS 15 and macOS Monterey.^[11] Safari has tab groups which allow the user to organize tabs into user-defined groups.^[12] Users can download third party extensions for Safari in the App Store.^[13]

Other

• Universal Control allows a user to use a single keyboard and mouse across different Macs and iPads and new keyboard shortcuts have been added in iPadOS 15.4.^[14]
• The Translate app is now available in iPadOS 15.
• The iPadOS 13 default wallpapers were removed in the first beta of iPadOS 15.
• iPadOS 15 features a new wallpaper in two modes: light and dark.
• All models of iPad now have a "Low Power Mode" option in Settings, like the iOS "Low Power Mode" option in Settings, and can also be added to the Control Center.
• Supports Live Text in iPads with A12 Bionic or later.
• Introduces Focus mode, as in iOS 15 and macOS Monterey.
• The Today View has been removed and replaced by widgets placed directly anywhere on the home screen.

Supported devices

All iPads that supported iPadOS 13 and iPadOS 14 also support iPadOS 15.^[15]

• iPad Air 2
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Air (4th generation)
• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad (5th generation)
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad (7th generation)
• iPad (8th generation)
• iPad (9th generation)
• iPad Mini 4
• iPad Mini (5th generation)
• iPad Mini (6th generation)
• iPad Pro (1st generation)
• iPad Pro (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro (4th generation)
• iPad Pro (5th generation)

Release history

The first developer beta of iPadOS 15 was released on June 7, 2021, and the first public beta was released on June 30, 2021, six days after the release of the second developer beta. The second public beta was released on July 16, 2021. iPadOS 15 was officially released on September 20, 2021.

Previous release

Current release

Current beta release

iPadOS 15 releases^[16] !Version!Release date

15.0	September 20, 2021
15.0.1	October 1, 2021
15.0.2	October 11, 2021
15.1	October 25, 2021
15.2	December 13, 2021
15.2.1	January 12, 2022
15.3	January 26, 2022
15.3.1	February 10, 2022
15.4	March 14, 2022
15.4.1	March 31, 2022
15.5	May 16, 2022
15.6	July 20, 2022
15.6.1	August 17, 2022
15.7	September 12, 2022
15.7.1	October 27, 2022
15.7.2	December 13, 2022
15.7.3	January 23, 2023
15.7.4	March 27, 2023
15.7.5	April 10, 2023
15.7.7	June 21, 2023
15.7.8	July 24, 2023
15.7.9	September 11, 2023
15.8	October 25, 2023
15.8.1	January 22, 2024
15.8.2	March 5, 2024
15.8.3	July 29, 2024

See also

• macOS Monterey
• iOS 15

External links

• – official site
• – official developer site
• – iOS/iPadOS Reference Library
• – Personal Safety User Guide

Notes and References

1. Web site: IOS 15. 2021-09-14. 2021-09-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210914183129/https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-15/. live.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Web site: Burns. Matt. June 7, 2021. iPadOS 15 announced at WWDC, features improved multitasking and surprising Swift Playgrounds features. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210608031119/https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/07/ipados-15-announced-at-wwdc-features-improved-multitasking-and-improved-swift-playgrounds-support. June 8, 2021. June 7, 2021. TechCrunch.
7. Web site: Cipriani. Jason. June 7, 2021. iOS 15 and iPadOS 15: How to download and install Apple's latest software. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210608031714/https://www.cnet.com/how-to/ios-15-and-ipados-15-how-to-download-and-install-apples-latest-software. June 8, 2021. June 7, 2021. CNET.
8. Web site: Apple official website. Apple. Apple. 10 June 2021. 10 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210610080724/https://www.apple.com/ipados/ipados-preview/. live.
9. Web site: 2021-06-16. App Library is here to help you sort through your app clutter. 2021-07-08. iMore. 2022-02-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20220216163641/https://www.imore.com/how-use-app-library-your-iphone. live.
10. Web site: Apple. Apple official website. 10 June 2021. Apple. 10 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210610080724/https://www.apple.com/ipados/ipados-preview/. live.
11. Web site: Cipriani. Jason. iPadOS 15 hands-on review: What works and doesn't work. 2021-07-19. ZDNet. en. 2021-07-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20210719232822/https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-ipados-15-review/. live.
12. Web site: 2021-06-15. Safari will allow you to organize tabs into groups in iOS and iPadOS 15. 2021-07-19. iMore. 2022-02-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20220209220759/https://www.imore.com/how-use-tab-groups-safari-iphone-and-ipad. live.
13. Web site: 2021-06-12. How to use Safari extensions in iOS 15 on iPhone and iPad. 2021-07-19. iGeeksBlog. en-US. 2021-07-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20210719232823/https://www.igeeksblog.com/how-to-use-safari-extensions-on-iphone-ipad/. live.
14. Web site: Apple official website. Apple. Apple. 9 June 2021. 8 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210608151101/http://www.apple.com/ipados/ipados-preview/. live.
15. Web site: iPad models compatible with iPadOS 15.4. 2022-03-17. Apple Support. en. 2022-07-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20220725230249/https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/ipad/ipad213a25b2/ipados. live.
16. Web site: About iPadOS 15 Updates. Apple Support. 11 September 2023. en.