Skip to main content

How to download iPadOS 18 on your iPad

Nadeem Sarwar / DigitalTrends
Promotional logo for WWDC 2023.
This story is part of our complete Apple WWDC coverage

Apple officially released iPadOS 18 to the public in September 2024, and it's a significant update for its tablet operating system that introduces fun productivity features like Math Notes, Smart Script, and a Calculator app.

Sadly, we'll have to wait a little longer for the most exciting part of iPadOS 18, Apple Intelligence, as that's not coming until iPadOS 18.1. However, there's still lots to enjoy here, as the update also includes more sophisticated customizability for the home screen, lock screen, and control center, plus a redesigned Photos app, enhancements to Messages and Safari, and much more.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

30 minutes

What You Need

  • A compatible iPad running iPadOS 17 or later

It looks like iPadOS 18 is shaping up to be a meaningful refresh of the tablet experience, one that puts more focus on functional benefits than a visual overhaul. For the first time, third-party apps will integrate with Control Center, and you can also now customize the lock screen shortcuts, such as the Flashlight and Camera, with your preferred default apps.

Additionally, a new floating tab bar is being introduced in some apps to enhance navigation. SharePlay is adding a screen-sharing feature that lets you tap and draw on another person’s screen and remotely control their iPad for tech support. One of the most innovative new features is Smart Script, which comes to life courtesy of machine learning wizardry.

Rear shell of the M4 iPad Pro.
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

iPads that can run iPadOS 18

The situation is a bit tricky this time around. All compatible iPads will technically be able to run iPadOS 18, but not all of them will get the full experience. For example, the whole suite of Apple Intelligence features will require an iPad with at least an M-series processor, which means every iPad that packs in A-series silicon is out of luck, including the current iPad mini. Only iPad Air and iPad Pro models released in 2021 or later qualify.

For greater certainty, here's the full list of tablets that support iPadOS 18. The model that can handle Apple Intelligence are noted with an asterisk (*).

  • iPad Pro (M4)*
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th and 6th generation)*
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd and 4th generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd and 4th generation)*
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (1st and 2nd generation)
  • iPad Air (M2)*
  • iPad Air (5th generation)*
  • iPad Air (3rd and 4th generation)
  • iPad (7th generation and later)
  • iPad mini (5th generation and later)

Note that Apple Intelligence features aren't available in iPadOS 18.0; they're expected to arrive next month in iPadOS 18.1.

iPad showing iCloud Backup settings.
Jesse Hollington / Digital Trends

Back up your iPad

It's a very good idea to ensure you have a good backup before installing any major iPadOS release. While iPadOS 18 has been pretty stable in our experience, your mileage may vary even on Apple's latest iPads. Several users have already reported problems installing it on Apple's flagship M4 iPad Pro, so make a backup before you take the plunge.

You can find the instructions on how to do this in our article on how to back up an iPad.

Note that you can't restore a backup made from a newer version of iPadOS onto an iPad that's running an older version, so you may want to make an extra backup while you're still running iPadOS 17 to your Mac or PC and put it aside in case you run into problems later on and need to restore your tablet back to iPadOS 17. If you're automatically backing up to iCloud, it won't take long for your iPadOS 17 backup to be overwritten by a backup made from iPadOS 18.

Settings app on iPad Pro M1.
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

Install iPadOS 18 on your iPad

Once you've made a backup, you're ready to install iPadOS 18.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPad.

Step 2: Select General.

Step 3: Select Software update.

iPad showing selection of iPadOS 17.7 or iPadOS 18 software updates.
Jesse Hollington / Digital Trends

Step 4: Depending on the version of iPadOS that you're running, you may see a screen offering to install the iPadOS 17.7 software update by default. In this case, scroll down and choose Upgrade to iPadOS 18.

iPad showing iPadOS 18 software update.
Jesse Hollington / Digital Trends

Step 5: Select the blue Update now button, enter the device passcode, and iPadOS 18 will be installed on your tablet.

Depending on your iPad model, it can take up to an hour or more to download, prepare, and install iPadOS 18. Once that process completes, your device will restart and take you through the usual series of welcome and setup screens.

Jesse Hollington
Jesse has been a Mobile Writer for Digital Trends since 2021 and a technology enthusiast for his entire life — he was…
iOS 18.2: How to use Genmoji and Image Playground
iPhone 16 Pro Max in Desert Titanium.

The second wave of Apple Intelligence features are coming later this year in iOS 18.2, and with the first developer betas now available, they're ready for early adopters to try out. While iOS 18.1 brought mostly text-based AI tools, the iOS 18.2 betas unveil the more fun and visually creative elements of Image Playground and Genmoji, as well as unlock ChatGPT integration, Visual Intelligence for the iPhone 16 lineup, and the expansion of Apple Intelligence to more English languages.

Read more
Save $50 on the iPad Air M2, and prep for Apple Intelligence
A person holding the iPad Air M2.

There are always tablet deals hovering around, you just need to know where to look for them. Fortunately, one savings haven for mobile tech you can always count on is Best Buy. You’ll find markdowns on everything from Samsung Galaxy devices and Google Pixel hardware to Apple’s iPad lineup. As a matter of fact, we came across the following iPad offer while looking through Best Buy deals:

Right now, when you purchase the 11-inch iPad Air M2 at Best Buy, you’ll spend $550. At full price, this model sells for $600.

Read more
iOS 18.2: How to use ChatGPT with Siri
Siri offloading user query to ChatGPT.

Ever since Apple announced the AI stack known as Apple Intelligence earlier this year, one of the most highly anticipated features has been the ChatGPT-Siri camaraderie. In a nutshell, the queries presented to Siri will be offloaded to ChatGPT if it can't provide a satisfactory answer.

Read more