iPadOS 26.2 goes live with small changes that actually matter

iPadOS 26.2 is now available to the public, and the update brings more tweaks to the OS as well as the return of the Slide Over feature. 

iPadOS 26.2 now live, less-feature-rich but more refined 

iPadOS 26.1 brought a lot of changes in terms of features, but iPadOS 26.2 focused on performance and small refinements rather than anything big. 

Despite that, there are still some new tweaks to enjoy. 

First off, iPadOS 18's Slide Over feature is back. That's a productivity feature that was gone with iPadOS 26, and Apple brought it back with iPadOS 26.1. Now, with iPadOS 26.2, the Cupertino giant is refining the feature a bit more. 


But that's not all. AirDrop codes are now here, a way for you to share files more securely in case the person you want to share a file with is not in your contacts. That feature also gets rid of exposing you by setting AirDrop to work with "Everyone for 10 Minutes". 

You can activate it by going to Settings, then General, then AirDrop. From there, you can tap on Manage Known AirDrop Contacts. You'll have a one-time code that can be shared with someone else to allow AirDrop file transfers. Access gets terminated after 30 days. 


Reminders are also getting some update love with the new iPadOS version. Now, when you create an urgent reminder, you can set a more obvious alert for it. The reminder can be marked as "Urgent", and you will get an alarm when it is due.

The Podcasts app, on the other hand, can now automatically create chapters. That would help you quickly navigate the app even if manual chapters weren't created by the author. On top of that, you'll be able to see and follow any podcast that's mentioned in the episode from the player and transcript. 

The Games app is getting filters. You can choose between categories, size, and other options to discover a game. Meanwhile, the ability to track the scores of challenges in real-time has been added for multiplayer games. iPadOS 26.2 also brings controller support, and you will be able to navigate the app with your controller. A must-have feature for a gaming app, if I may add. 

iPadOS 26.2 now available for download to supported iPad models

You can update to iPadOS 26.2 by going to the Settings app, then going to General, and then tapping on Software Update. The update, if available for your device, will show up there, and you can install it following the instructions. 

If you have enabled Automatic Updates, then you don't need to perform the step. You can enable the option from the same Software Update page. 

A simple update that fixes the little things

In my opinion, iPadOS 26.2 may not be impressive in terms of fancy features, but you'll end up appreciating it over time. I like that Apple focused on fixing and polishing things instead of throwing in more.

The return and refinement of Slide Over alone makes the iPad feel more productive again, and small touches like AirDrop codes and better reminders are just the quality-of-life updates we currently need on the iPad.