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WWDC 2025 is looming. Apple will unveil its latest operating systems in early June—including iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16, tvOS 19, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3. For months, there have been indications that Apple is working on fundamental changes to its user interfaces. Rumors are growing, especially around iPadOS 19, that Apple intends to further develop the iPad more in line with the Mac. A leaker now provides new information that could show how serious Apple is about this.
Apple could significantly change the way you use your iPad and iPhone this year. According to a well-known leaker, iPadOS 19 will bring a Mac-like menu bar to the iPad. At the same time, a completely redesigned version of Stage Manager is reportedly on the way. And the iPhone will likely become more productive, too: iOS 19 is expected to bring Stage Manager to iPhones with USB-C—in conjunction with external displays.
iPadOS 19: Menu bar like on the Mac
According to leaker Majinbu, iPadOS 19 brings a system component to the iPad that has so far only been known to macOS users: the menu bar. As soon as you connect a Magic Keyboard with an integrated trackpad, the iPad is supposed to switch into a kind of laptop mode. The menu bar will be displayed at the top of the screen, just like on a Mac. It is likely to contain functions like cut, copy, and paste – typical standard actions that were previously accessible via the context menu or touch gestures. The goal seems clear: Apple wants to make the iPad feel more like a Mac in productivity mode, without losing the typical touch functionality in normal operation. This should make switching between tablet and "laptop" smoother and more functional (via MajinBuOfficial).
Stage Manager 2.0: Apple reworks multitasking
Stage Manager was introduced with iPadOS 16 in 2022 and was intended to make the iPad fit for productive work. You could use multiple apps simultaneously, arrange windows freely, and switch between app groups. However, the implementation met with a lot of criticism: too complicated, too error-prone, and not intuitive enough. According to the leaker, Apple now wants to attempt a fresh start with Stage Manager 2.0. The second version is scheduled to be presented at WWDC 2025. What specific improvements are planned remains open—the leaker doesn't provide any details. But the announcement of a new version alone shows that Apple hasn't given up on multitasking on the iPad.
iOS 19: Stage Manager also on the iPhone – with external display
iOS 19 is also expected to bring a lot of changes to the iPhone. Majinbu reports that Apple is planning to bring Stage Manager to iPhones with a USB-C port. The trick: You connect your iPhone to an external monitor – and, like on the iPad, you can manage multiple apps simultaneously. This would transform the iPhone into a kind of mini desktop. This, of course, assumes that your iPhone already has a USB-C port. Older models with Lightning are excluded. But for newer devices, this is an exciting step: Apple could use it to make the iPhone suitable for productive tasks outside of the classic smartphone scenario.
How credible are the leaks?
Majinbu is no stranger to the leaker scene. In the past, his predictions have often been correct – but not always. He correctly predicted some features early on, but was completely wrong on others. This means that the information seems plausible, but is by no means guaranteed. Clarity will not be revealed until June 9, 2025, when Apple opens its WWDC. Then it will become clear whether Apple will indeed add these features to iPadOS and iOS – and whether the new features live up to the rumors' promise.
Apple aims for more productivity with iPadOS 19 and iOS 19
If the leaks prove true, Apple could deliver significant advancements toward increased productivity with iPadOS 19 and iOS 19. The menu bar on the iPad, an improved Stage Manager, and the ability to use iPhones with external displays would be clear signals: Apple wants to position the iPad and iPhone not just as consumer devices, but as serious tools for work and multitasking. You'll find out what the outcome really is in June at the latest. (Image: Apple)
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