The first iPadOS version was released in fall 2019, which was created to run on iPads. It is built on the same framework as iOS but breathes a few powerful new capabilities catering to the larger display of the iPad.
Features Comparison
Area
Features
iOS 12.x on iPad
iPadOS 13.x on iPad
Multitasking
Slide Over Switcher is a rolling carousel of the 'utility' apps that can be invoked from left or right bottom
Files app enables folder sharing that provides support for external drives
Column View in the Files app supports local storage, zip, and unzip
Safari
Option to check desktop version of a website
New updated download manager with download folder support
External Devices
Mouse support by allowing a USB mouse to connect with your iPad
30 new keyboard shortcuts for various applications
Sidecar for a wireless secondary display with macOS Catalina
Other Apps
Font management to buy and download new fonts from the App Store
Maps
Find My App
Floating keyboard that floats on the screen
Defaults
New home screen for easier access to widgets
Sign in with Apple
Display Mode
Dark Mode
Supported Devices
NEW: 10.2-inch iPad iPad Pro 12.9-inch, 11-inch, 10.5-inch, and 9.7-inchiPad (6th generation)iPad (5th generation)iPad mini (5th generation)iPad mini 4iPad Air (3rd generation)iPad Air 2
Adoption Trends
Total iPadOS Version Adoption Percentage
iPadOS Version Adoption for Devices Introduced from 2017 to 2020
* Xcode 11.4.1 - It supports developing apps for iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, tvOS 13.4, watchOS 6.2, and macOS Catalina 10.15.4. Xcode 11.4.1 requires a Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15.2 or later. [Download link | Release notes]
* Links to iOS versions are only accessible through an Apple developer account
Mobile OS Release Updates:
Apple released a new version iOS/iPadOS 13.4 which provides support to develop apps for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices running iOS and iPadOS 13.4. [Download link | Release notes]
* Links to iOS versions are only accessible through an Apple developer account
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