IPadOS 15

iPadOS 15
Version of the iPadOS operating system
iPadOS 15 running on an iPad Air (3rd generation)
DeveloperApple Inc.
Written inC, C++, Objective-C, Swift, assembly language
OS familyUnix-like, based on Darwin (BSD), iOS
Source modelClosed with open-source components
General
availability		September 20, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-09-20)[1]
Latest release15.8.3[2] (July 29, 2024; 3 months ago (2024-07-29)) [±]
Marketing targetTablet Computers
Available in40 languages[3][4][5][6]
Update methodOTA, software update through iTunes, Apple Configurator, or Finder
Package managerApp Store
PlatformsSee below
Kernel typeHybrid (XNU)
Default
user interface		Cocoa Touch (multi-touch, GUI)
LicenseProprietary software with open-source components
Preceded byiPadOS 14
Succeeded byiPadOS 16
Official websitewww.apple.com/ipados/ipados-15/ at the Wayback Machine (archived October 18, 2022)
TaglineWorks wonders. With ease.
Articles in the series
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.[7][8] 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

See also: Features of iOS 15

Home screen

The home screen grid is reduced by one row to accommodate the new widgets when placed (24 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.[9]

App Library

iPadOS 15 introduces the App Library from the iPhone in iOS 14 to the iPad.[10]

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.[11]

Safari

Safari has been redesigned, as in iOS 15 and macOS Monterey.[12] Safari has tab groups which allow the user to organize tabs into user-defined groups.[13] Users can download third party extensions for Safari in the App Store.[14]

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.[15]
  • 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.[16]

Release history

Further information: IPadOS version history § iPadOS 15

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[17]
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[a] January 23, 2023
15.7.4[a] March 27, 2023
15.7.5[a] April 10, 2023
15.7.7[a] June 21, 2023
15.7.8[a] July 24, 2023
15.7.9[a] September 11, 2023
15.8[a] October 25, 2023
15.8.1[a] January 22, 2024
15.8.2[a] March 5, 2024
15.8.3[a] July 29, 2024

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Only available for devices not supported by iPadOS 16:
    • iPad Air 2
    • iPad Mini 4

References

  1. ^ "IOS 15". Archived from the original on 2021-09-14. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  2. ^ Clover, Juli (July 29, 2024). "Apple Releases iOS 17.6 With Bug Fixes and Security Improvements". MacRumors. Retrieved August 3, 2024. Apple has also released iOS 15.8.3 and iOS 16.7.9 security updates for devices not able to run ‌iOS 17‌.
  3. ^ "Apple – iPad Pro – Specs". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on January 4, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  4. ^ "Apple – iPad mini 4 – Specs". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  5. ^ "Apple – iPad Air 2 – Technical Specifications". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  6. ^ "Apple – iPhone XS – Technical Specifications". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on January 4, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  7. ^ Burns, Matt (June 7, 2021). "iPadOS 15 announced at WWDC, features improved multitasking and surprising Swift Playgrounds features". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  8. ^ Cipriani, Jason (June 7, 2021). "iOS 15 and iPadOS 15: How to download and install Apple's latest software". CNET. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  9. ^ Apple. "Apple official website". Apple. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  10. ^ "App Library is here to help you sort through your app clutter". iMore. 2021-06-16. Archived from the original on 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  11. ^ Apple. "Apple official website". Apple. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  12. ^ Cipriani, Jason. "iPadOS 15 hands-on review: What works and doesn't work". ZDNet. Archived from the original on 2021-07-19. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  13. ^ "Safari will allow you to organize tabs into groups in iOS and iPadOS 15". iMore. 2021-06-15. Archived from the original on 2022-02-09. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  14. ^ "How to use Safari extensions in iOS 15 on iPhone and iPad". iGeeksBlog. 2021-06-12. Archived from the original on 2021-07-19. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  15. ^ Apple. "Apple official website". Apple. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  16. ^ "iPad models compatible with iPadOS 15.4". Apple Support. Archived from the original on 2022-07-25. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  17. ^ "About iPadOS 15 Updates". Apple Support. 11 September 2023.
  • iPadOS – official site
  • iPadOS – official developer site
  • iPadOS – iOS/iPadOS Reference Library
  • iPadOS – Personal Safety User Guide
Preceded by iPadOS 15
2021 		Succeeded by