Apple’s iPadOS Needs an Overhaul—Will WWDC 2025 Deliver?
In just a few months, Apple will host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), an event that typically sets the stage for the next generation of Apple software. Last year’s conference, however, left many iPad enthusiasts disappointed. Instead of addressing long-standing software limitations, Apple shifted much of its focus toward artificial intelligence—seemingly out of a need to prove it wasn't falling behind in a hyped-up AI race.
To be clear, AI is an impressive technology, but its current implementations—especially in chatbot form—are far from revolutionary. And while Apple’s foray into "Apple Intelligence" will likely receive another big push this year, one can only hope that iPadOS gets the attention it desperately needs. Unfortunately, if history is any indication, Apple seems more interested in keeping the iPad artificially constrained rather than unleashing its full potential.
With a hardware lineup that rivals the Mac in raw power, the iPad should be a more viable computing platform. But Apple’s insistence on keeping iPadOS restricted has made it a frustrating device for those who want it to serve as their primary machine. If WWDC 2025 doesn’t bring meaningful improvements, Apple risks further alienating users who have waited far too long for the iPad to reach its full potential.
The Ongoing iPadOS Bottleneck
The problem with iPadOS isn’t new—it’s been the same story for years. Apple has built some of the most powerful tablet hardware on the market, yet the software continues to hold it back. Rather than allowing the iPad to evolve into a true laptop alternative, Apple has intentionally handicapped iPadOS, likely to prevent it from encroaching on macOS territory.
Let’s be clear: no one is asking for macOS on an iPad. But iPadOS should be just as capable, flexible, and open as its desktop counterpart. Until that happens, anyone trying to use an iPad as their main computing device is simply fighting an uphill battle.
Meanwhile, Apple’s AI push has been messy. The company rushed to introduce “Apple Intelligence” last year, despite its clear lack of maturity. Now, Apple is reportedly working on integrating AI with Spotlight search, a move that makes sense but also highlights just how disjointed its approach has been. Apple was once known for waiting until a technology was fully developed before integrating it into its ecosystem. That cautious approach seems to have been abandoned in the race to appease investors worried about AI.
Apple used to set trends—now, it looks like it’s just trying to keep up.
Open the Web Engine Floodgates
If regulators in the EU can push Apple to allow third-party web engines on iOS and iPadOS, why can’t we demand the same in the U.S.? Apple has long hidden behind the justification of “security and privacy” to maintain its control over web browsers, but this argument is misleading. The real reason Apple refuses to allow alternative browser engines is simple: control.
By restricting developers to WebKit, Apple ensures that all web browsers on iPadOS operate within the confines of its ecosystem. This not only stifles competition but also limits innovation in web-based applications. And let’s not forget that Apple profits heavily from steering users toward its own services.
Apple’s business model revolves around selling hardware and then locking users into a software ecosystem where “free” services often come with hidden costs. The company has increasingly pushed paid tiers for once-basic features, reinforcing the idea that nothing in the Apple ecosystem is truly free.
None of this is to say that Apple products are bad—I still believe Apple makes some of the best hardware and software on the market. But a company of this size and influence can, and should, do better. And as consumers, we should demand better.
Stop Hamstringing Stage Manager
Stage Manager was supposed to be a game-changer for multitasking on iPadOS. Instead, it feels like a half-baked compromise. Apple’s current implementation forces users to choose between Stage Manager and the previous multitasking system, when in reality, both should coexist seamlessly.
If Apple is serious about making the iPad a true productivity tool, it needs to stop imposing arbitrary limitations. There’s no logical reason why an M4-powered iPad Pro with 16GB of RAM shouldn’t have the same multitasking capabilities as a MacBook Air with identical hardware. Yet, Apple continues to restrict window management on iPadOS, artificially keeping it in a mobile-first paradigm.
At the very least, users should have the option to disable Stage Manager’s restrictive limitations and use a more traditional desktop-style workflow if they choose. Anything less is just unnecessary gatekeeping.
Replace Files with Finder and Give Us Terminal Access
One of the most glaring differences between macOS and iPadOS is file management. The macOS Finder is a powerful, flexible tool that makes organizing and accessing files effortless. The iPad’s Files app, in comparison, feels like a stripped-down afterthought.
Apple should replace Files with a full-featured version of Finder on iPadOS, giving users the same level of control they have on a Mac. And while they’re at it, why not give us access to Terminal? macOS users can leverage Terminal to fine-tune their workflow, automate tasks, and customize their experience. iPadOS users, on the other hand, are stuck with a walled garden that prevents them from unlocking the device’s full potential.
And then there’s Preview—one of the most underrated macOS apps. It’s an excellent tool for viewing and editing PDFs, annotating images, and even handling minor file conversions. There’s no good reason why iPadOS users shouldn’t have access to the same functionality. If Apple wants to make iPadOS feel like a true computing platform, these are the kinds of quality-of-life improvements that need to happen.
Apple has spent years walking a fine line between making the iPad more capable and keeping it from stepping on macOS’s toes. But at some point, this balancing act starts to feel more like deliberate sabotage. iPadOS has the potential to be a world-class operating system, but until Apple stops holding it back, it will remain an underwhelming experience for power users.
WWDC 2025 presents an opportunity for Apple to change course. Instead of continuing to artificially restrict iPadOS, Apple should embrace its full potential. That means giving users more control, improving multitasking, and finally delivering the software features that iPad users have been requesting for years.
The iPad is an incredible piece of hardware. It’s time for the software to catch up.