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iPadOS 27 adds three features to make iPad more like the Mac
Apple's iPadOS 27 advancement aligns the functionality of iPads with macOS by introducing three key features designed to improve user experience for keyboard users. The update provides a visible active app indicator, an always-present menu bar for ease of access, and performance enhancements that significantly speed up app interactions and file management, positioning the iPad closer to the Mac experience. These updates aim to address long-time user frustrations and enhance productivity for iPad users working with multiple applications.
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Published 21 Aug 2026, 20:30 UTC2 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Introduced active app indicator for improved keyboard shortcuts
- Always-on menu bar feature added for easier access
- Significant speed improvements in everyday tasks
- Context menus now open faster with cursor use
- File browsing and transfer speed increases up to 5x faster
Interesting facts
- This update represents a continuing trend of merging functionality between iPad and Mac.
- The always-on menu bar feature was highly requested by users.
- Apple's focus on speed improvements comes in response to user feedback about lagging performance.