In a few weeks, Apple will finally unveil the new features of iOS 19. The company appears to be preparing an ambitious overhaul, combining graphical transformations , functional improvements and advances for productivity. According to several sources, iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 could profoundly change our daily use of iPhones and iPads.
Is the iPad ready to take a new step?
For several years, Apple has been offering iPads with impressive hardware, capable of rivaling the best Android devices and even some Windows computers. However, the software aspect remained the weak link: despite significant improvements with iPadOS, the iPad never fully emerged from the shadow of iOS.
So far, attempts to give the iPad a more professional feel have been disappointing. Stage Manager, which was supposed to revolutionize multitasking, left a bitter taste: unintuitive window handling, a confusing experience… The iPad’s potential remained largely untapped.
However, 2025 could mark a real turning point. At the WWDC conference scheduled for June 9-13, Apple is expected to unveil major new features designed to bring the iPad even closer to the Mac experience.
Towards a “desktop mode” on iPadOS 19
According to several leaks, including those from the well-informed Majin Bu, iPadOS 19 would include a major new feature: when an iPad is connected to a Magic Keyboard, a menu bar would appear at the top of the screen, similar to that of macOS.
This might seem trivial, but in reality, the addition of this menu bar would lead to a series of adaptations in the interface and applications: more accessible menus, richer options, improved navigation… Enough to transform the use of the iPad for work or study.
At the same time, a version 2.0 of Stage Manager is reportedly in the works. This new version could activate automatically as soon as an external keyboard is connected, offering smoother and better-optimized window management. Apple seems determined to correct the mistakes of the past to give the iPad a truly professional stature.
The iPhone is also ready to evolve
On the iPhone side, Apple is reportedly preparing another notable advancement: the integration of a window management mode when a device is connected to an external display via USB-C. Introduced with the iPhone 15, this universal port could open the door to new uses.
Concretely, it would not be a question of transforming the iPhone into a complete computer like Samsung‘s DeX mode, but rather of offering a practical extended display for specific tasks: making a presentation, consulting several documents in parallel, modifying a file on a larger screen, etc.
Stage Manager would also play a key role here, offering users the ability to reorganize their applications into a space better suited to occasional productivity.
A risky but expected bet
For several years, iPad users have been demanding improvements that would fully exploit the hardware power of their devices. With each update, the anticipation is high… but often followed by a certain disappointment.
Apple now seems to understand that to establish the iPad in the professional world for a long time, it is not enough to add a few minor new features: it is necessary to fundamentally review the way iPadOS works, notably by drawing inspiration from the strengths of macOS without denying the simplicity of iOS.
The arrival of a true lightweight “desktop mode” for the iPhone also shows that the Cupertino company does not want to leave the field open to its competitors in the field of smartphone/PC hybridization.
See you at WWDC 2025
Of course, all of this information should be taken with the usual caution. Rumors, even from reliable sources, can sometimes be inaccurate or incomplete.
However, everything seems to indicate that iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 will be major updates, with an emphasis on efficiency, versatility, and an interface designed for more varied uses.
Now we just have to wait until the WWDC 2025 keynote, where Apple will officially unveil its plans. Whether you’re an iPhone or iPad user, get ready to discover an ecosystem that could transform your digital life.
