iPadOS 16 coming later than hoped

Usually a major iPad update comes along with the iPhone, in September. Unfortunately this year is different. Apple has confirmed that the release of iPadOS 16 will be delayed.

iPadOS 16 release

Earlier this month, Mark Gurman revealed of Bloomberg that Apple is considering delaying the release of iPadOS 16 until October. This is due to issues with Stage Manager, one of this year’s bigger iPad features.

Now Apple confirms that the release of iPadOS 16 will be delayed. In a statement to TechCrunch Apple writes the following:

This is a particularly big year for iPadOS. Because it’s a proprietary platform with features designed specifically for the iPad, we have the flexibility to deliver iPadOS on its own schedule. This fall, the release of iPadOS is only after iOS 16, as version 16.1 in a free software update.

Apple vs TechCrunch

So Apple doesn’t say a word about bugs or quality issues, but gives the delay a positive spin by claiming that iPadOS will now have its own schedule. Remarkably, Apple never seems to release version 16.0. So the first version of iPadOS 16 will be 16.1.

When will iPadOS 16 be released?

Apple is likely using the extra time to customize Stage Manager, a feature that allows iPad users to put multiple apps into floating windows for the first time. That option worked far from optimal in the betas.

Also read: iPadOS 16 support: which iPads can update?

Gurman previously wrote that Apple hopes to launch iPadOS 16 in October. Apple is rumored to have plans to introduce new iPad models in October, including an iPad Pro 2022. It is highly likely that these iPads will run on the new software. So it probably won’t be later than October.

Want to know more about the upcoming update? You can read about all the new features in our iPadOS 16 file. Also check our previous articles: