IPadOS 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.

App Library

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

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.

Safari

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

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.
• 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.

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

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 or A10X SoC have almost full support.

iPads with an A12, A12X, A12Z, A14, A15, or M1 SoC have full support.

• 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 (all models)

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.

Reception of iPadOS 15 was positive; it was praised for the flexible widgets and App Library, simplified multitasking, the addition of Quick Note, Universal Control and Swift Playgrounds 4, but criticized for its stagnant multitasking, lack of desktop-class gaps and complex features.