Release record
Release notes
Editorial synthesis with inline references and a source ledger when citations are available.
iPadOS 16.1 was the first generally available iPadOS 16 release. It introduced Stage Manager on supported iPads, iCloud Shared Photo Library, Messages editing and collaboration, expanded Mail tools, Safari passkeys and shared tab groups, and a Weather app designed for iPad.[1][2]
The release also added professional display modes, improved dictation and Live Text workflows, and new Home, Maps, News, and accessibility capabilities. Device, language, and regional limits varied across the feature set.[3]
Source ledger
Sources are linked to the claims they support. Publication and access dates are shown when available.
Apple Newsroom · 2022-10-24T12:00:00Z · iPadOS 16 is available today
Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · iPadOS 16.1 — New Display Modes through Accessibility
Apple Developer · 2026-07-29 · iPadOS 16 Release Notes
Documented & observed
Source-linked features, fixes, known issues, removals, and community-observed behavior recorded across this version’s appearances and verified builds.
Release changes
Features, fixes, removals, and regressions first observed in this release record.
feature · introduced
Stage Manager introduced overlapping and resizable windows, recent-app switching, and saved app groups on supported iPads.
Recorded at Public
feature · introduced
A separate shared library added contribution rules, filters, shared editing, and camera integration.
Recorded at Public
feature · introduced
Safari introduced passkeys and collaborative Shared Tab Groups.
Recorded at Public
feature · introduced
Messages gained post-send controls and could initiate collaborative work while surfacing project activity in the thread.
Recorded at Public
feature · introduced
iPad gained a Weather app with large-screen layouts, full-screen maps, and tappable forecast detail.
Recorded at Public
Milestones
Every recorded channel appearance in chronological order. Open an appearance for any available build, scope, notes, and sources.
Developer beta
iPadOS
Developer beta
Developer beta
Developer beta
Developer beta
Developer beta
Release candidate
Public release
The first public iPadOS 16 release introduced Stage Manager and broadened collaboration, communication, web sign-in, display, and weather workflows.
Historical context
Pace, intervals, and duration compared with earlier releases on the same platform.
Historical avg for .1 releases
45 days, 5.8 milestones
Based on 6 previous iPadOS .1 releases
Cycle vs. platform average
62d (avg: 50d)
12 days longer than the iPadOS average
Duration ranking
#10 of 46
Middle of the pack iPadOS beta cycles
Longest gap in this cycle
22 days
Between Beta 1 and Beta 2
| Version | Year | Cycle | Milestones | Avg. Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPadOS 26.1 | 2025 | 42d | 6 | 8d |
| iPadOS 18.1 | 2024 | 91d | 9 | 11d |
| iPadOS 17.1 | 2023 | 28d | 6 | 6d |
| iPadOS 15.1 | 2021 | 34d | 7 | 6d |
| iPadOS 14.1 | 2020 | — | 2 | 7d |
| iPadOS 13.1 | 2019 | 28d | 5 | 7d |
Scroll horizontally to compare every historical field.