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IPadOS 14
IPadOS 14
IPadOS 14
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iPadOS 14
The iPadOS 14 home screen running on the 7th-generation iPad
DeveloperApple
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 16, 2020; 5 years ago (2020-09-16)
Latest release14.8.1[1] (18H107) (October 26, 2021; 4 years ago (2021-10-26)) [±]
Marketing targetTablet computers
Available in40 languages[2][3][4][5]
Update methodOTA, software update through iTunes or Finder
Package managerApp Store
Supported platformsSee below
Kernel typeHybrid (XNU)
Default
user interface		Cocoa Touch (multi-touch, GUI)
LicenseProprietary software except for open-source components
Preceded byiPadOS 13
Succeeded byiPadOS 15
Official websiteiPadOS 14 at the Wayback Machine (archived September 12, 2021)
TaglineLooks brand new. Feels like home.
Support status
Unsupported, no longer receiving security updates,[6] because all iPads that support iPadOS 14 support iPadOS 15 as well. Widespread third-party app support.
Articles in the series
iOS 14 (derived from)

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.[7][8] It was succeeded by iPadOS 15 on September 20, 2021.

Features

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See also: System features of iOS 14

Home screen

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Widgets

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To the left of the first page, the Today View now has new redesigned widgets.[9] 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.[10] 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

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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,[11] taking approximately as much space as a notification. Siri's interface is now also compact.

Search and Siri

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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.[12]

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.[13]

Storage

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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

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All iPads that supported iPadOS 13 also support iPadOS 14.

iPads with an A8 SoC have limited support.

iPads with an A8X SoC have additional features that are unavailable on A8 iPads.

iPads with an A9 or A9X SoC have partial support.

iPads with an A10, A10X, A12, A12X, A12Z, A14, or M1 SoC have full support.

Version history

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The first developer beta of iPadOS 14 was released on June 22, 2020 and the first public beta was released on July 9, 2020.[14] iPadOS 14 was officially released on September 16, 2020.[7] There was no public beta testing of 14.1.

Version Codename Build Release date Notes Update type
14.0 Azul 18A373 September 16, 2020 Initial release, initial release for the iPad (8th generation) and the iPad Air (4th generation) Initial Release
14.0.1 18A393 September 24, 2020 Bug fixes, including for an issue that could cause default browser and mail settings to reset after restarting the device[15] Bug Fixes
14.1 18A8395 October 20, 2020 Improvements 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
14.2 AzulB 18B92 November 5, 2020 Introduces 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 mode Feature Update
14.3 AzulC 18C66 December 14, 2020
  • New Apple TV UI
  • Apple Fitness+ support for final release
 Feature Update
14.4 AzulD 18D52 January 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
14.4.1 18D61 March 8, 2021 Security fixes Bug Fixes
14.4.2 18D70 March 26, 2021 Security fixes Bug Fixes
14.5 AzulE 18E199 April 26, 2021 UI 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
14.5.1 18E212 May 3, 2021 Security fixes Bug Fixes
14.6 AzulF 18F72 May 24, 2021 Bug fixes
  • Supports Apple Card Family and Podcasts subscriptions
 Feature Update
14.7 AzulG 18G69
18G70[a] 		July 21, 2021 Bug fixes Bug Fixes
14.7.1 18G82 July 26, 2021 Bug fixes Bug Fixes
14.8 AzulH 18H17 September 13, 2021 Security fixes Bug Fixes
14.8.1 18H107 October 26, 2021 Security fixes Bug Fixes
  1. ^ iPad (8th generation) (Wi-Fi + Cellular) and iPad Air (4th generation) (Wi-Fi + Cellular) only

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

IPadOS 14

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
iPadOS 14 is the second major version of the mobile operating system developed for Apple's tablet computers, succeeding and introducing features optimized for the device's large display and multitasking capabilities. Announced by Apple on June 22, 2020, during its (WWDC), iPadOS 14 was made available as a update on September 16, 2020. A developer beta was released immediately following the announcement, with a public beta following in July 2020. Key innovations in iPadOS 14 include Scribble, a feature allowing users to handwrite notes with the that are converted to typed text in any text field on-device, along with shape recognition for drawing perfect geometric forms. The update also features redesigned widgets that can be placed directly on the in various sizes, including interactive Smart Stacks that rotate based on usage, and a compact interface for , Search, and incoming calls to minimize screen disruption. Apps received significant updates, such as a new sidebar in for easier library navigation, enhanced toolbars in Files with APFS encryption support, and improved with searchable handwriting and PDF annotation tools. ARKit 4 brought advancements like the Depth API for LiDAR-enabled devices and Location Anchors for placing AR content in real-world spaces, expanding applications. iPadOS 14 shares many features with iOS 14, including App Library for organized app management, picture-in-picture video playback, and enhanced privacy controls like app tracking transparency. It supports the same compatible devices as iPadOS 13: all iPad Pro models, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad (5th generation and later), and iPad mini 4 and later. Subsequent point updates, such as iPadOS 14.5 (April 2021) adding expanded Scribble language support and iPadOS 14.7 (July 2021) introducing family sharing, among others up to iPadOS 14.8.1 (October 2021), extended support following the release of in September 2021.

Development

Announcement

was announced on June 22, 2020, at Apple's (WWDC) 2020 keynote, which was held virtually due to the , marking the second major iteration of the iPad-exclusive operating system following its debut in 2019. The primary goals of iPadOS 14 centered on elevating iPad productivity through tailored features distinct from , while leveraging a shared core architecture, with emphasis on advancing capabilities, refining multitasking workflows, and optimizing efficiency for the device's larger display. In the initial preview, Apple showcased the first public demonstrations of the compact for system overlays, resizable widgets, and the Scribble handwriting-to-text conversion feature powered by . Internally codenamed "Azul," iPadOS 14 was developed as a of the codebase, adapted specifically for iPad's screen sizes and input methods, with work commencing after the launch of in September 2019 to address feedback on prior productivity limitations.

Beta program

The developer beta for iPadOS 14 was made available on June 22, 2020, to registered members of the Apple Developer Program, with the initial build identified as 18A5268w. This release followed the announcement at WWDC 2020 and provided for developers to test and integrate new features like the redesigned and enhancements. Subsequent developer betas were issued iteratively, incorporating fixes and refinements based on reported issues, with builds continuing through multiple iterations up to the golden master version in . The public beta program began on July 9, 2020, allowing broader access through enrollment in the Apple Beta Software Program at beta.apple.com, without requiring a paid developer membership. testers received aligned builds shortly after developer versions, starting with public beta 1 and progressing through eight major iterations, culminating in public beta 8 released on September 9, 2020. Participants used the Feedback Assistant app to report bugs and suggestions, focusing on stability and usability. Feedback from both developer and public testers drove several key refinements during the beta phases, including UI adjustments to the compact Siri interface for better integration on larger iPad screens, stability improvements to the new widget system to reduce crashes and rendering issues, and enhancements to Scribble's handwriting recognition accuracy in early builds to minimize input errors with Apple Pencil. These changes addressed iPad-specific concerns, such as Pencil input lag during multitasking, ensuring more reliable performance before the stable release. Participation in the iPadOS 14 beta program was substantial, drawn from both the paid Apple Developer Program and the free public beta enrollment. Testing emphasized iPad-unique aspects, including gestures, external keyboard support, and interactions, helping identify and resolve platform-specific issues like app crashes under split-view usage.

Release timeline

The golden master version of iPadOS 14, build 18A373, was released to developers and public beta testers on September 15, 2020, for final testing ahead of the public launch. iPadOS 14 was made available to the public as a free over-the-air update on September 16, 2020, for all compatible iPad models including the iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air (2nd generation and later), iPad (5th generation and later), and iPad mini (4th generation and later). The update was succeeded by , which was released on September 20, 2021. Support for iPadOS 14 continued through incremental updates addressing bugs and security issues, with the final version, 14.8.1, released on October 26, 2021; no additional security patches have been issued since, as all compatible devices are eligible for and subsequent versions.

User interface

Home screen redesign

iPadOS 14 maintained the familiar full-screen grid layout for app icons on the Home Screen, optimized for the iPad's larger display to accommodate more icons per page compared to iOS 14 on iPhone—typically supporting up to 30 icons in a 5x6 arrangement without the need for extensive page scrolling. Unlike iOS 14, which introduced widgets directly onto the Home Screen grid, iPadOS 14 kept the icon-focused design intact, with no support for resizable icons or widget placement in the main grid area. This approach leveraged the iPad's screen real estate to display a greater number of apps at once, reducing clutter while preserving a clean, app-centric interface. A key enhancement was the increased prominence of search bar, accessible by swiping down from the middle of the , allowing users to quickly locate apps, contacts, or content without navigating multiple pages. This integration streamlined app discovery on the expansive iPad canvas, where the traditional grid could otherwise require more swiping. For organization, the system retained standard folder creation by dragging apps together, enabling users to group related items into customizable stacks that expand to reveal contents, though without new structural overhauls like automatic categorization. Customization options saw modest expansions, including new wallpaper choices introduced with iPadOS 14, featuring three abstract designs available in both light and dark variants at high resolutions up to 3208x3208 pixels for compatibility across iPad models. Users could apply these via Settings > Wallpaper, with options for static or perspective-shifting effects, enhancing personalization without altering core layout elements. Folder icons remained derived from the first apps within them, with no native emoji integration for labels or visuals at launch, though users could achieve similar effects through third-party shortcuts. In contrast to iOS 14's transformative redesign—featuring an App Library for automatic app sorting into categories like Creativity and Productivity, and widget stacking on the —iPadOS 14 omitted these elements entirely, citing the iPad's persistent and sidebar as sufficient for app access and dynamic content. Instead, redesigned widgets, including Smart Stacks that intelligently rotate based on time and activity, were integrated into the Today View sidebar, accessible by swiping right from the for glanceable information without disrupting the primary icon grid. This differentiation emphasized iPadOS's productivity-oriented ethos, prioritizing a spacious, uninterrupted app workspace over iPhone-style experimentation.

Widget system

iPadOS 14 introduced a redesigned widget system that expanded the functionality of widgets while keeping them confined to the Today View sidebar, accessible by swiping right from the . This placement allowed users to view glanceable information without cluttering the main , which remained dedicated to app icons. Widgets in iPadOS 14 came in three sizes—small, medium, and large—to accommodate varying levels of detail, and users could stack up to 10 widgets of the same size vertically for efficient use of space. A key innovation was the Smart Stack, a dynamic widget collection that automatically rotates through stacked widgets based on contextual factors like time of day, location, and user activity, prioritizing relevant content such as weather updates during commutes or calendar events in the morning. Users could edit the order of widgets within a Smart Stack or create manual stacks for customized access. Apple provided built-in widgets for apps like Clock, News, and Weather, offering quick insights into time, headlines, and forecasts directly from the Today View. To enable third-party integration, iPadOS 14 introduced the WidgetKit framework, allowing developers to create customizable widgets using for rendering timelines of content that update efficiently on device. This framework emphasized glanceable, non-interactive displays to maintain performance, with support for configurable options like user-selected data sources. Unlike , where widgets could be placed on the , iPadOS 14 leveraged the iPad's larger display for bigger widget sizes in the sidebar, enhancing readability without supporting placement—a feature added in iPadOS 15.

Compact design

iPadOS 14 introduced a compact to minimize disruptions from system alerts and interactions, allowing users to maintain their workflow on the larger screen. This approach replaces full-screen modals with , sheets, and resizable windows, particularly for communications and system notifications. Incoming phone calls and requests now appear as a slim at the top of the screen when the device is unlocked, rather than taking over the entire display. Users can quickly accept, decline, or send a message directly from the , with the call ringing in the background if swiped away, indicated by a small persistent icon. This change applies similarly to iPadOS 14, enhancing focus during multitasking. Siri invocation in iPadOS 14 features a compact orb that appears at the bottom of the screen, expanding into a bottom-sheet interface for responses without obscuring the active app. While primarily voice-based, the supports continued interaction with underlying content by allowing users to swipe the sheet aside. Other modal elements, such as video playback, benefit from mode, which resizes content into a movable, resizable window that floats over apps. This extends to calls, enabling ongoing video chats while switching to other tasks. Low Power Mode suggestions appear as non-intrusive compact alerts, prompting activation without halting current activities. These compact elements collectively promote multitasking on iPadOS 14's expansive display, providing a hover-like experience that avoids full app interruptions and leverages the device's screen real estate for productivity.

Search enhancements

iPadOS 14 introduced a redesigned Spotlight search, rebuilt as a universal tool accessible from anywhere on the device, allowing users to swipe down on the or invoke it over any app to search for apps, contacts, files, media, and web results. This universal search functions similarly to Spotlight on macOS, serving as an app launcher with categorized results for quick navigation to installed applications or suggested websites. Integration with system apps enables searching content within , Messages, and the Files app, surfacing documents and attachments directly in results. Personalized suggestions in Spotlight are tailored based on user habits, prioritizing frequently accessed apps, contacts, and media while providing as-you-type web search recommendations that launch upon selection. Quick actions appear inline for efficiency, such as performing calculations (e.g., entering "45 + 67" yields the result 112) or unit conversions (e.g., "5 km to miles" displays approximately 3.11 miles), without opening the app. Similarly, translations can be requested directly, like "translate bonjour to English" to receive "hello," enhancing on-the-fly . Optimizations for the iPad's larger display include expanded preview cards that show more detailed snippets, such as contact photos or file thumbnails, alongside deeper integration with the Files app for browsing and searching local and cloud-stored documents. The compact design references a streamlined interface that overlays at the bottom of the screen, minimizing disruption to ongoing tasks. New capabilities extend to solving basic math problems and handling conversions inline, making Spotlight a versatile hub for information retrieval and computation on iPadOS 14.

Input and productivity

Apple Pencil features

iPadOS 14 introduced Scribble, a feature that enables users to handwrite directly into any text field using the , with the system automatically converting the handwriting to typed text on-device for enhanced privacy. This functionality works across apps, allowing seamless input without switching to a keyboard, and initially supported English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and mixed Chinese-English handwriting. In subsequent updates to iPadOS 14, such as version 14.5, support expanded to include additional languages like German, French, Spanish, Italian, and , for a total of nine languages by the end of the iPadOS 14 lifecycle. Complementing Scribble, Smart Selection leverages on-device machine learning to differentiate between handwritten text and drawings, facilitating intuitive selection, copying, cutting, and pasting of content as typed text where applicable. Users can employ a lasso tool to circle and select specific handwriting or sketches, enabling precise editing gestures similar to those used for typed content, such as dragging to move or tapping to copy. This improves workflow efficiency by treating handwriting more like digital text without manual conversion steps. Shape recognition in iPadOS 14 automatically perfects imperfect drawings of geometric , such as circles, lines, and arrows, snapping them into precise forms ideal for creating diagrams. When users draw a rough shape and pause, the refines it while preserving the original orientation and position, enhancing accuracy in creative and technical tasks within compatible apps. Additionally, data detectors extend to handwritten input, identifying elements like dates, addresses, and phone numbers to trigger contextual actions, such as adding an event to the app or initiating navigation in Maps. This integration makes handwritten notes more interactive, bridging the gap between analog writing and digital functionality. For instance, circling a handwritten date in the app can prompt options to schedule it directly.

App navigation updates

iPadOS 14 introduced redesigned sidebars in various apps to streamline navigation and consolidate key functions into a single, accessible location. These sidebars appear on the leading edge of the screen and can be collapsed or expanded as needed, allowing users to manage space efficiently while keeping primary content in focus. By leveraging the iPad's large Multi-Touch display, sidebars provide persistent navigation elements that remain visible without resorting to full-screen overlays, enhancing overall usability for productivity tasks. In addition to sidebars, iPadOS 14 featured new toolbars positioned at the top or bottom of app interfaces, offering context-sensitive actions tailored to the current task or view. These toolbars include streamlined pull-down menus and pop-overs that centralize frequently used controls, reducing the need to navigate through multiple layers of menus. Customizable in select apps, toolbars adapt to user preferences and promote quicker access to editing, sharing, and organizational tools, making app interactions more intuitive on the iPad's expansive screen. The navigation updates in iPadOS 14 also integrated seamlessly with multitasking features, such as Split View, to facilitate smoother app switching and . Users can drag items directly from a sidebar to the or another app in Split View, enabling efficient transfer of files, links, or media without interrupting . This tie-in capitalizes on the iPad's screen real estate to support side-by-side app usage while maintaining organized , ultimately improving productivity for complex, multi-app sessions.

Note-taking tools

iPadOS 14 introduced significant enhancements to the Notes app, emphasizing seamless integration of and digital document management to streamline idea capture and organization. A standout addition was the expansion of search capabilities to include handwritten text through on-device (OCR), enabling users to query and locate specific words or phrases directly within sketches without manual conversion. This feature leverages to index handwriting in supported languages, making vast collections of notes more accessible and reducing the need for typed entries. PDF handling saw notable improvements, with the built-in scanner now producing sharper captures and more accurate auto-cropping for imported documents. This allows for expanded markup tools, such as adding annotations, , and sketches directly on PDFs, facilitating detailed reviews and edits within the app. Collaboration was further supported through iCloud-shared notes, where multiple users could engage in real-time editing, with updates syncing across devices for efficient group workflows. Inline sketching in Notes benefited from new shape recognition, automatically refining imperfect drawings—such as circles, squares, or lines—into precise geometric forms to enhance diagramming and illustrations. functionality was refined for quicker creation and toggling, with long-press options on the text formatting menu to convert bulleted lists into interactive , improving within notes. These updates, combined with brief support for system-wide Scribble handwriting-to-text conversion, positioned Notes as a more versatile tool for creative and productive on .

Apps and services

Built-in app redesigns

The Photos app underwent a redesign in iPadOS 14 to leverage the iPad's expansive display, incorporating a persistent sidebar for streamlined navigation that keeps the main content area unobstructed. This update preserved the app's core three-tab structure—Library for browsing all photos and videos in chronological or custom views, For You for personalized suggestions like featured content and shared albums, and Search for querying by people, places, or objects—while enhancing accessibility on larger screens. Editing tools for Live Photos were expanded, allowing users to apply effects such as Loop (repeating the motion segment), Bounce (mirroring the motion for a looping effect), and a new Long Exposure mode that simulates blurred motion from moving elements like waterfalls or car lights. The Music app received a visual and functional overhaul in iPadOS 14, featuring a redesigned sidebar that unifies access to key sections like the , enabling seamless switching between personal collections and playback without disrupting the Now Playing view. The tab now emphasizes personalized lists, including Recently Added for quick access to new downloads and a customizable Artists view highlighting favorite tracks; it also supports the creation of playlists with names incorporating emojis and symbols for more intuitive organization. Complementing this, the Listen Now tab—evolved from the previous For You section—delivers algorithmically curated mixes based on user listening history, such as daily personalized playlists and new release recommendations tailored to genres and artists. Messages in iPadOS 14 introduced enhancements focused on conversation prioritization and , allowing users to pin up to nine important chats to the top of the inbox via long-press or swipe gestures for effortless access. The app added support for @mentions in group messages, notifying specific participants and highlighting their responses, alongside inline replies that let users respond directly to individual messages—threading them contextually while maintaining the overall chat flow. Group conversations gained visual customization options, including the ability to set a shared photo, Memoji, or as the group's icon to foster a sense of identity.

Maps and Safari improvements

iPadOS 14 introduced several enhancements to the Maps application, expanding its utility for diverse navigation needs. Cycling directions became available in select cities, providing routes that prioritize bike lanes, paths, and roads suitable for bicycles, along with an elevation overview to highlight hills and terrain changes. The Guides feature offered curated collections of recommended locations, such as restaurants and attractions, developed in partnership with sources like Lonely Planet and The Infatuation, initially available in cities including San Francisco, New York, and London, with integration of 3D views and Look Around street-level imagery where supported. Electric vehicle (EV) routing was added to assist drivers by factoring in current battery levels and suggesting optimal charging stops along routes, helping to plan trips more efficiently for EV owners. Additionally, in iPadOS 14.5, users gained the ability to report incidents such as accidents, road hazards, and speed checks directly within Maps during navigation, contributing to real-time traffic awareness for other users. Safari in iPadOS 14 received updates focused on privacy, accessibility, and file handling. The Privacy Report provided a detailed view of cross-site trackers blocked by Intelligent Tracking Prevention, displaying the number of trackers prevented from profiling users across websites visited in the past 30 days. Webpage translation enabled on-the-fly conversion of foreign-language sites into English, Spanish, or other supported languages directly within the browser, powered by Apple's Translate engine without requiring third-party extensions. Password monitoring through scanned stored credentials against known data breaches and notified users of any compromised passwords, prompting secure updates. The was accessible via a dedicated , allowing users to view, pause, resume, or delete ongoing and recent downloads, with options to store files in Drive or on-device storage. Optimizations for the iPad's larger display included a full-screen Reader View that stripped away ads and clutter for immersive reading, activated per webpage and expandable to fill the entire screen. A preview of tab organization concepts appeared in the redesigned Start Page, hinting at future grouping capabilities fully realized in subsequent versions. The new Translate app in iPadOS 14 integrated system-wide, allowing offline translation of text, conversations, and webpages after downloading language packs, enhancing Safari's translation feature for use without internet connectivity.

Privacy features

iPadOS 14 introduced several system-wide privacy enhancements aimed at giving users greater control over their data and limiting cross-app tracking. These features build on 14's privacy framework, emphasizing transparency and user consent without compromising device performance. Key additions include mechanisms to prompt for tracking permissions, disclose app data practices, and support privacy-preserving health notifications. One of the flagship privacy updates in iPadOS 14 is App Tracking Transparency, which requires apps to obtain explicit user permission before tracking individuals across apps or websites owned by other companies for or data aggregation purposes. This framework, rolled out in iPadOS 14.5, presents a one-time prompt when an app attempts to access the device's identifier, allowing users to by default and preventing unauthorized cross-site behavioral profiling. Developers must comply via the AppTrackingTransparency , ensuring that denied permissions block tracking without affecting core app functionality. To aid informed app downloads, iPadOS 14 integrated App Privacy Labels into the , displaying concise, nutrition-style summaries of developers' self-reported data collection and usage practices directly on product pages. Introduced with iPadOS 14.3 in December 2020, these labels categorize data types—such as location, browsing history, or contacts—indicating whether they are linked to user identity, used for tracking, or purposes like app functionality or analytics. This visual format, mandatory for all new and updated apps, empowers users to evaluate privacy implications before installation, with Apple verifying submissions for accuracy. Sign in with Apple provides a secure option that minimizes data exposure by allowing users to hide their real through a private relay service. When selected, Apple generates a unique, random email forwarder that relays messages to the user's personal inbox, shielding it from apps and websites while supporting two-factor via device . Users can upgrade existing accounts to this setup, ensuring only essential information like name (optionally anonymized) is shared initially, with no ongoing tracking by Apple. For , iPadOS 14 supported the framework, an opt-in system for that prioritizes privacy through decentralized, Bluetooth-based proximity detection without collecting location data or personal identifiers. Users enable it via Settings, exchanging temporary, rotating diagnosis keys only upon positive test confirmation, which apps from public health authorities can use to alert potential contacts anonymously. This approach ensures no central database of user movements exists, with all processing occurring on-device to prevent risks. Safari in iPadOS 14 further bolstered privacy with Intelligent Tracking Prevention, which blocks cross-site trackers by default using on-device to detect and limit data leakage.

System integration

File management

iPadOS 14 introduced significant enhancements to the Files app, improving file management by expanding support for and refining organizational tools for better and . The app's updated interface, including a new sidebar for quick navigation to locations like iCloud Drive and external volumes, streamlines workflows on . A key addition was support for APFS-encrypted external drives, allowing users to mount and access secure volumes directly in the Files app by entering a password. External drives connect via on compatible iPads or with adapters, enabling seamless read and write operations for protected data without third-party tools. Organization features were bolstered with color-coded tags, which users can apply to files and folders for intuitive categorization across locations. These tags appear in a dedicated browser section, functioning like dynamic smart folders to filter and group content efficiently, with optimizations in Drive for faster syncing and search of tagged items. Sharing capabilities advanced with quick actions to generate shareable links for files and folders directly from the Files app, supporting real-time in Drive folders where multiple users can edit contents simultaneously. Thumb drives formatted in or FAT32 integrate natively, allowing full file transfer and metadata editing, such as renaming or tagging, within the app.

Hardware compatibility

iPadOS 14 expanded hardware integrations to enhance gaming, , and audio experiences on compatible iPads. A key addition was support for game controllers, allowing users to pair devices wirelessly for improved precision in supported apps and games. Specifically, update 14.5 introduced compatibility with the Series X|S and DualSense controllers, enabling seamless pairing and full functionality in titles and third-party games. ARKit 4, debuted alongside iPadOS 14, brought advanced features tailored to hardware with sensors, such as the on models (4th-generation 12.9-inch and 2nd-generation 11-inch). This delivers precise depth data from the scanner, facilitating more immersive AR interactions by accurately mapping distances between virtual objects and the real environment. Location Anchors further extended geo-based AR capabilities, permitting developers to fix virtual content to specific latitude, longitude, and altitude coordinates using data for persistent, location-aware experiences. Audio hardware received notable updates in iPadOS 14.3 with native support for over-ear headphones, which connect via and integrate with the system's audio framework. This update enabled spatial audio previews, leveraging the headphones' built-in accelerometers and gyroscopes for dynamic head tracking that simulates a three-dimensional soundstage, particularly in compatible media apps like and . For camera and microphone hardware, iPadOS 14 emphasized privacy enhancements shared from the iOS ecosystem, including a prominent orange indicator in the whenever the is active during calls or recordings, alerting users to potential audio access. While Back Tap gestures for quick actions were introduced in for iPhones, iPadOS focused on optimizations for clearer call audio through improved and accessibility accommodations like Headphone Accommodations, which adjust sound levels for phone calls on connected devices. iPadOS 14 maintained full compatibility with the first- and second-generation Apple Pencil on supported models, enabling new input features like Scribble for handwriting-to-text conversion across apps.

Supported devices

iPadOS 14 is compatible with the same iPad models as iPadOS 13, requiring no new hardware for the upgrade. The supported devices include all models equipped with an A8 chip or later, encompassing older generations that receive core operating system updates but may lack support for certain advanced features. The complete list of compatible iPad models is as follows:
  • iPad Pro: All models, including 12.9-inch (1st generation and later), 11-inch (1st generation and later), 10.5-inch, and 9.7-inch.
  • iPad Air: 2nd generation and later.
  • iPad: 5th generation (9.7-inch) and later, including 6th generation (9.7-inch), 7th generation (10.2-inch), and 8th generation (10.2-inch).
  • iPad mini: 4th generation and later, including 5th generation.
Scribble for handwriting-to-text conversion and shape recognition are supported on all iPad models compatible with the 1st- or 2nd-generation running iPadOS 14, including those with A8, A8X, A9, or A9X chips such as the , , iPad (5th and 6th generations), and early models. Certain hardware-specific enhancements, such as the ARKit Depth with scanning, are limited to (11-inch 2nd generation) and (12.9-inch 4th generation) models.

Release history

Initial release

iPadOS 14.0, internally codenamed Azul and bearing build number 18A373, was publicly released on September 16, 2020, as a update for compatible models. This second major version of built on the foundation announced at Apple's in June 2020. The update focused on enhancing productivity and user interaction tailored to the 's form factor, establishing the core framework for subsequent refinements in the 14 series. The initial version introduced foundational user interface improvements, such as compact designs for incoming calls, , and Search to reduce screen obstruction, alongside redesigned toolbars and sidebars in apps like Files, , and for more efficient navigation. Apple Pencil integration received significant upgrades, including Scribble, which enables handwriting in any text field with automatic on-device conversion to typed text supporting multiple languages, and features like Shape recognition for refining drawn shapes and Smart Selection for distinguishing handwriting from illustrations. WidgetKit was also debuted, allowing developers to build interactive widgets in various sizes for the , with Smart Stacks intelligently rotating relevant ones based on user context like time or location. These elements formed the baseline for 14's emphasis on seamless input and glanceable information access. Upon release, iPadOS 14.0 encountered minor glitches, including default browser or mail app settings resetting after restarts, alongside occasional connectivity problems. These issues were promptly resolved in the point release iPadOS 14.0.1 on September 24, . Adoption proved strong from the outset, with analytics indicating over 25% of active devices running iPadOS 14 within the first week, reflecting user enthusiasm for the new and widget capabilities.

Update versions

Following the initial release of iPadOS 14.0, Apple issued a series of minor updates through version 14.8.1, totaling 12 point releases that primarily emphasized stability improvements, bug fixes, security enhancements, and select new features without introducing major overhauls after 14.5. These updates were rolled out between October 2020 and October 2021, addressing user-reported issues and adding targeted capabilities like expanded hardware support and privacy tools. iPadOS 14.1, released on October 20, 2020, introduced support for 10-bit HDR video playback and editing in the Photos app for compatible models, alongside fixes for widget sizing, email alias functionality in , and streaming service playback interruptions. 14.2, launched on November 5, 2020, added Shazam integration directly in Control Center for quick music identification, over 100 new , and Magnifier app enhancements using for scene detection on supported devices, while resolving Camera app crashes and keyboard input glitches. iPadOS 14.3, released on December 14, 2020, brought support for Apple Fitness+ subscription service and headphones, including spatial audio features, along with a redesigned for the and information displays in the ; it also fixed issues in Messages attachments and connectivity. The subsequent iPadOS 14.4 through 14.4.2 updates, spanning January 26 to March 26, 2021, focused on security fixes—such as vulnerabilities in and IOMobileFrameBuffer—and practical enhancements like improved detection in Camera, better classification of devices, and warnings for non-genuine Apple cameras, with 14.4.1 and 14.4.2 addressing additional stability concerns. iPadOS 14.5, issued on April 26, 2021, added native support for and Series X/S controllers, a new typing interface for interactions, and the App Tracking Transparency prompt requiring user permission for cross-app tracking; it also included integration for and further emoji additions. Later updates from iPadOS 14.6 (May 24, 2021) to 14.8.1 (October 26, 2021), continued the trend of refinements, introducing Apple Card Family sharing in 14.6, and culminating in security patches for vulnerabilities in components like Apple Neural Engine and Audio subsystems, with no significant new features beyond stability and Podcasts subscription support. Support for iPadOS 14 concluded with the launch of on September 20, 2021.

References

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