The long-awaited Apple iPadOS 16 is finally here, bringing with it a host of new features and improvements that are sure to delight users.

The new features include improved multitasking capabilities, new collaboration tools, and of course, the very first built-in weather app. iPadOS 16.1 is the first version of the software available to consumers after issues in development forced Apple to skip the initial iPadOS 16 releases.

Here's everything you need to know about iPadOS 16:

Which iPad models support iPadOS 16?

If you have an iPad that's running iPadOS 15, you're in luck and can probably upgrade it to iPadOS 16. The only models that aren't compatible are the 4th-generation iPad mini and the 2nd-generation iPad Air.

The following iPad models are able to run iPadOS 16:

  • iPad Pro 11 (3rd gen)
  • iPad Pro 12.9 (4th gen)
  • iPad Pro 11 (2nd gen)
  • iPad Pro 12.9 (3rd gen)
  • iPad Pro 12.9 (5th gen)
  • iPad Pro 11 (1st gen)
  • iPad Pro 12.9 (2nd gen)
  • iPad Pro 12.9 (1st gen)
  • iPad Pro 10.5
  • iPad Pro 9.7
  • iPad (9th gen)
  • iPad (8th gen)
  • iPad (7th gen)
  • iPad (6th gen)
  • iPad (5th gen)
  • iPad mini (6th gen)
  • iPad mini (5th gen)
  • iPad Air (4th gen)
  • iPad Air (3rd gen)

New features of iPadOS 16

  • The Home app has been redesigned for easier smart home controls.
  • Dictation has been improved for easier swapping to a keyboard or Apple Pencil.
  • A new "My Sports" section has been added to Apple News with scores, schedules, and suggested articles.
  • FaceTime now supports handoff so you can move calls seamlessly between your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  • iCloud-shared photo libraries now support up to six people.
  • Messages and Mail both support editing and the "undo send" option.
  • Live Text can capture text from videos.

Other key features

Apple has made it easier for users to share documents with others by integrating collaborative tools directly into the Messages app. Now, users can share a document with an entire Message group all at once from within compatible apps. The app will then share it with every member of the group. Plus, it's designed to be quick to jump from the app directly into the chat group or even start a FaceTime call.

In addition, the Freeform app will be launching this year alongside the OS update. The app will provide users with an expansive collaborative whiteboard. You'll be able to write or draw anywhere on it, and even pin images, videos, audio files, PDFs, and more.

Apple's new Stage Manager feature allows users to open one app in full-screen, while all the other apps are minimized. The apps appear on the side of your screen as well as the bottom Dock, which might make your screen feel a little cramped.

Unfortunately, there's no way to change it. However, the good news is that the new feature allows you to group up to four windows together in overlapping windows of adjustable sizes.

What's more, the iPad is finally getting the iPhone's Weather app in iPadOS 16. This is a welcomed surprise for many users who have been without this key feature for years.

Apple's reasoning for why tablet users didn't need this app previously is unknown, but the new app has all the important features that you'd expect.

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