iPadOS 14
The iPadOS 14 home screen running on the 7th-generation iPad
DeveloperApple Inc.
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; 3 years ago (2020-09-16)
Latest release14.8.1[1] (18H107) (October 26, 2021; 2 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
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
Obsolete, 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

See also: System features of iOS 14

Home screen

Widgets

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

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

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

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

All the devices that supported iPadOS 13 also support iPadOS 14. Devices include:

Version history

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

  1. ^ Clover, Juli (October 26, 2021). "Apple Releases iOS 14.8.1 and iPadOS 14.8.1 With Security Update". MacRumors. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  2. ^ "Apple – iPad Pro – Specs". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on January 4, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  3. ^ "Apple – iPad mini 4 – Specs". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  4. ^ "Apple – iPad Air 2 – Technical Specifications". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  5. ^ "Apple – iPhone XS – Technical Specifications". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on January 4, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  6. ^ "Apple says it never intended iOS 14 security updates to last forever". Ars Technica. January 19, 2022. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Apple Releases iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 With Home Screen Redesign, App Library, Compact UI, Translate App, Scribble Support, App Clips, and More". MacRumors. September 16, 2020. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  8. ^ "iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 are starting to roll out". The Verge. September 16, 2020. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  9. ^ "iOS 14 Preview - Features". Apple. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  10. ^ Apple Special Event. June 22, 2020. Apple Inc. June 22, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  11. ^ Apple Special Event. June 22, 2020. Apple Inc. June 22, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  12. ^ "iOS 14 Preview - Features". Apple. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  13. ^ "iOS 14: Release date, New features, compatible devices, etc". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  14. ^ Miller, Chance (July 9, 2020). "Apple releasing iOS 14 public beta today with redesigned home screen, widgets, more". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  15. ^ Miller, Chance (September 24, 2020). "Apple releases iOS 14.0.1 with bug fixes for widgets, default app settings, more". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.

External links

Preceded byiPadOS 13 iPadOS 14 2020 Succeeded byiPadOS 15
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