iPadOS 16 Beta: New Features & How to Get It
iPadOS 16 beta introduces a major new multitasking system called Stage Manager, alongside a redesigned external display support, new collaboration tools, and the long-awaited Weather app for iPad. This article covers what’s genuinely new in the beta, how to install it, and what to watch out for before you do.
Stage Manager: The Headline Feature
Stage Manager is Apple’s new windowing system for iPadOS 16. It lets you run multiple overlapping windows on the iPad screen, resize them, and group apps together. Instead of the old Split View and Slide Over, you get a central workspace with your current app(s) and a row of recently used apps on the left side. You can drag apps from that row into the central area, and they snap into place as overlapping windows. This is a fundamental shift from the previous full-screen-first approach.
Stage Manager is only available on iPads with the M1 chip or later (iPad Pro 2021 and later, iPad Air 5th generation). On those devices, you can also connect an external display and use Stage Manager on both screens simultaneously, with up to four apps per display. This is a huge productivity boost for iPad users who have long wanted a more desktop-like experience.
External Display Support: Real Multitasking
Before iPadOS 16, connecting an iPad to an external monitor simply mirrored the iPad screen or stretched it with letterboxing. With iPadOS 16 beta and an M1 iPad, you get true external display support. The external monitor can show its own Stage Manager workspace, independent of the iPad’s screen. You can drag windows between the two displays, and each display can have its own set of apps. This effectively turns the iPad into a dual-monitor workstation.
It’s important to note that this feature requires an M1 iPad and a display that supports the required resolution. Not all USB-C monitors will work perfectly in the beta, and some users have reported issues with certain display adapters. Apple has said that full external display support will arrive in a later beta update, so early beta testers may see limited functionality.
Weather App: Finally on iPad
Apple’s Weather app, which has been on iPhone for years, finally comes to iPad in iPadOS 16. The iPad version takes advantage of the larger screen with a full-screen map, animated weather conditions, and a new module that shows weather information for multiple locations at once. You can tap on any location to see detailed forecasts, including hourly, daily, and 10-day outlooks. The app also includes weather alerts, air quality index, and precipitation forecasts. It’s a welcome addition for iPad users who previously had to rely on third-party weather apps.
Collaboration: Freeform and Shared Tab Groups
iPadOS 16 introduces Freeform, a new collaborative whiteboard app that Apple says will arrive later this year. In the beta, you can already see the groundwork for it, but the full app is not yet available. However, other collaboration features are live in the beta. For example, Safari’s Tab Groups now support real-time collaboration. You can share a tab group with others, and everyone can see and add tabs in real time. Messages also gets new collaboration features, allowing you to share files and start collaborative sessions directly from the Messages app. These features are designed to work with iCloud, so all participants need an iCloud account.
Other Notable Changes: Lock Screen, Text Input, and More
The Lock Screen on iPadOS 16 gets the same customization options as iOS 16, including photo filters, widgets, and clock styles. The iPad Lock Screen can also display a large calendar view or a live activity for sports scores. Text input gets a new feature called “Live Text� in video, which lets you pause a video and select text from the frame. This works in the Photos app and in Safari. There’s also a new “Reference Mode� for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Liquid Retina XDR display, which matches the display to a reference color space for professional workflows.
Other smaller changes include:
- Mail: new search suggestions and the ability to undo sending an email (up to 10 seconds after sending).
- Messages: edit or unsend a message within 15 minutes of sending.
- Notes: new “Quick Note� gesture that lets you start a note from anywhere with a swipe from the bottom corner.
- Files: new “Rename� option in the context menu, and the ability to change the extension of a file.
How to Install the iPadOS 16 Beta
If you want to try the beta, you can do so through Apple’s Beta Software Program. Here’s how:
- Back up your iPad to iCloud or your computer via Finder (Mac) or iTunes (PC). This is crucial because beta software can be unstable and you may need to restore.
- Go to the Apple Beta Software Program website (beta.apple.com) and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Enroll your iPad by downloading the beta profile from the website. The profile will be downloaded to your iPad.
- Open Settings, tap on “General,� then “VPN & Device Management,� and install the beta profile.
- Restart your iPad.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update, and you should see the iPadOS 16 beta available for download.
Alternatively, if you have a developer account, you can get the developer beta from the Apple Developer website. The developer beta is usually released a few weeks before the public beta and may have more bugs.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Betas are, by definition, unfinished. Here are common issues you may encounter:
- Battery drain: Beta software often has background processes that are not optimized, leading to faster battery drain. This is usually fixed in later betas.
- App crashes: Some third-party apps may not be compatible with the beta. You may see apps crash or not open at all.
- Data loss: Though rare, beta software can corrupt data. That’s why a backup is essential.
- Stage Manager bugs: In early betas, Stage Manager may not work as expected. Windows may not resize smoothly, and dragging apps can be glitchy.
To minimize risk, install the beta on a secondary device if you have one. And always keep a backup of your primary device so you can restore if needed.
iPadOS 16 vs. iPadOS 15: What’s Different?
The biggest difference is the multitasking paradigm. iPadOS 15 introduced Split View and Slide Over, but they were limited to two or three apps at a time. iPadOS 16 with Stage Manager allows up to four apps per display, and you can resize windows freely. External display support is also a major upgrade, as iPadOS 15 only mirrored the screen. The Weather app is a new addition, and the Lock Screen customization is more extensive. For most users, the upgrade is worth it, but only if your iPad supports it. The M1 requirement for Stage Manager means many older iPads won’t get the full experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will iPadOS 16 beta work on my iPad?
iPadOS 16 supports the same models as iPadOS 15, which includes the iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 5th generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, and all iPad Pro models. However, Stage Manager and external display support require an M1 chip, so only iPad Pro 2021 and later, and iPad Air 5th generation (2022) will get those features.
Is the beta safe to use as a daily driver?
No. Beta software is not recommended for daily use on your primary device. It can have bugs that cause data loss, battery drain, and app crashes. If you rely on your iPad for work or school, wait for the final release in the fall.
How do I go back to iPadOS 15 if I don’t like the beta?
You can restore your iPad to the latest version of iPadOS 15 using your computer. Connect your iPad to your Mac or PC, open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (PC), select your iPad, and click “Restore.� This will erase your device and install the latest stable version of iPadOS 15. Then you can restore from a backup.
When will the final version of iPadOS 16 be released?
Apple typically releases major iOS and iPadOS updates in September, alongside new iPhones. The final version of iPadOS 16 is expected in September 2022, though Apple may delay some features like Freeform until later in the year.
Does Stage Manager work with any external monitor?
No. You need a monitor that supports the required resolution and refresh rate. Apple has not published a list of compatible monitors, but most modern 4K or 5K USB-C displays should work. Some users have reported issues with DisplayPort adapters, so it’s best to use a USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort cable directly.
Will the Weather app be available in all countries?
Apple’s Weather app uses data from Apple Weather, which is available in many countries. However, some features like severe weather alerts may not be available everywhere. If you live in a region where Apple Weather is not supported, you may see limited data.
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