Apple Debuts App Windows, Full External Display Support, and More for M1 iPads - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Debuts App Windows, Full External Display Support, and More for M1 iPads

Apple today announced a series of iPadOS 16 features exclusive to iPads with the M1 chip, including support for virtual memory swap, windowing via Stage Manager, improved external display support, and more.

ipados stage manager external display
Virtual memory swap expands the amount of memory available to all iPad apps, with up to 16GB available to the most demanding apps on some iPad Pro models. iPadOS 16 includes a new way to scale the ‌iPad‌'s display to increase pixel density to see more inside apps, improving the multitasking experience.

‌Stage Manager‌ provides an all-new way to manage windows on the ‌iPad‌, with support for groups of up to four windows. When using an external display, iPadOS will display a full dock and switch to ‌Stage Manager‌. When using an external display, up to eight apps can run simultaneously between an ‌iPad‌ and an external display.

Reference Mode allows creators to exactly match color requirements in workflows like review and approve, color grading, and compositing.

These iPadOS 16 features are exclusive to iPads with the ‌M1‌ chip, including the fifth-generation ‌iPad Pro‌ and fifth-generation iPad Air. Reference Mode is only available on the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ with Liquid Retina XDR display.

Popular Stories

iOS 27 on iPhone 17 1

iOS 27 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Saturday May 2, 2026 8:43 am PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and there are already many rumored features and changes for iPhones. The first developer beta of iOS 27 will likely be available immediately following the keynote, and a public beta typically follows in July. Following beta testing, the software update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...
Apple Announces 2026 Pride Band Watch Face and iPhone Wallpaper Article 2

iOS 26.5 Coming Soon With These New Features

Monday May 4, 2026 8:40 am PDT by
iOS 26.5 is expected to be released next week, following more than a month of beta testing. The update is relatively minor, but there are a couple of new features and changes across the operating system that we have recapped below. iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for end-to-end encryption for RCS in the Messages app and ads in the Apple Maps app, and it will include a new Pride wallpaper and a...

Top Rated Comments

51 months ago
Imagine waiting four years for a proper multitasking support (which this still isn't) and then being told I can't even run it on my 2018 ipad pro. Done with this bs. Gonna grab the new air or surface
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
szw-mapple fan Avatar
51 months ago

Imagine waiting four years for a proper multitasking support (which this still isn't) and then being told I can't even run it on my 2018 ipad pro. Done with this bs. Gonna grab the new air or surface
This was never something that Apple promised when they introduced the 2018 iPad Pros. Buying devices hoping for future upgrades is not a wise buying decision if the device doesn't already work for you when you buy it.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bradman83 Avatar
51 months ago
The inclusion of virtual memory swapping is absolutely huge and should not be understated. RAM limitations have been one of the biggest things holding many pro apps from the iPad which are now lifted.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnhackworth Avatar
51 months ago
So my two year old iPad Pro will *never* get proper external display support? Seething.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
szw-mapple fan Avatar
51 months ago
Finally some proper windowing support and scaling. Getting closer and closer to being able to make iPad my only machine on the go.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago
Still no calculator, maybe next year…
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)