iPadOS 18 Features Guide 2026: What's New
iPadOS 18 brought big changes — finally a Calculator app (after 14 years!), Math Notes for handwritten equations, Smart Script for handwriting cleanup. Here's what's new.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This costs you nothing extra and helps keep this site free.
⚡ iPadOS 18 Helpers
These accessories unlock the best new features.
Required for Math Notes, Smart Script
Better Pencil feel for handwriting
Trackpad enables Stage Manager
External monitor with Stage Manager
Cost Breakdown — All Options
| Where | Cost | Wait | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculator app | All iPads | Built-in | Finally a real Calculator on iPad |
| Math Notes | Apple Pencil Pro | In Notes app | Handwritten equations solve themselves |
| Smart Script | Apple Pencil Pro | Notes app | AI cleans up your handwriting |
| Stage Manager updates | M-series iPads | Refined window management | Snappier, more reliable |
| Customizable Home Screen | All iPads | Tint, resize | Same as iOS 18 |
Calculator App — Finally
iPad got an official Calculator app in iPadOS 18. After 14 years of users having to download third-party calculators, Apple shipped it. Features:
- Standard, scientific, and Math Notes modes
- History (see your previous calculations)
- Convert units (currency, length, temperature, etc.)
- Persistent — survives restarts
Why now? Math Notes (next section) needed a Calculator backbone. Apple killed two birds with one app.
Math Notes — Handwritten Math
This is iPadOS 18's killer feature. With Apple Pencil Pro, in Notes or Calculator app:
- Write '2 + 2 =' in handwriting
- iPad solves and writes the answer in your handwriting
- Write 'x = 5' then 'x + 7 = ?' — solves for 12 using your defined variable
For students, math becomes way more interactive than typed equations. Solves variables, graphs functions, runs algebra.
Smart Script — AI Handwriting Cleanup
Notes app + Apple Pencil Pro. As you write, iPad's AI watches and improves your handwriting. Hesitations become smooth lines, sloppy letters become legible. Your handwriting style is preserved but cleaner.
For people whose handwriting is naturally messy, this is huge — your handwritten notes become readable.
Stage Manager Updates
Stage Manager (the multitasking mode) was clunky in iPadOS 16/17. iPadOS 18 made it:
- Smoother window resizing
- More reliable external monitor support
- Better window position memory across sessions
- Faster app launching when in Stage Manager
If you tried Stage Manager and gave up, try again in iPadOS 18.
Customizable Home Screen
Same as iOS 18 — tint apps, resize widgets, free-form layout. Long-press home → Edit Home Screen.
What Doesn't Work Yet
- Apple Intelligence on older iPads: Only iPad Pro M1+ and Air M1+ support it.
- Math Notes without Pencil Pro: Older Pencils don't have the squeeze + barrel roll features Math Notes uses
Mail-In Repair Service
Don't have time to wait for Apple? We offer mail-in repair with overnight return shipping.