After months of beta testing, Apple could finally release iPadOS 16.1 in the last week of October. The company delayed iPadOS 16’s launch from its usual September release timeline due to bugs and issues with Stage Manager.
This is the first time Apple did not drop a significant iPadOS build alongside a new iOS release. Historically, major updates to both OSes have launched around the same time.
iPadOS 16 is finally ready for release
In a tweet, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims iPadOS 16.1 is on track to release in the week of October 24th. That is provided Apple does not run into any bugs or issues. Apple never released iPadOS 16 to the public. Given the delay and to keep the version number in sync with iOS 16, the company will directly release iPadOS 16.1 now. iOS 16.1 should presumably arrive on the same day as well for all compatible iPhones.
iPadOS 16.1 is on track to be released the week of Oct. 24th — barring any new bugs or issues. Apple has historically held launches the week of its earnings calls in October.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) October 10, 2022
When Apple delayed the launch of iPadOS 16 in August, it confirmed the OS would be out in October, though it never provided a release date. Apple has since then released five beta builds of iPadOS 16.1, squashing all the reported bugs and fixing various Stage Manager quirks.
Apple proudly highlighted Stage Manager at WWDC22, but the feature was criticized for its poor implementation and buggy nature. Eventually, Apple paid heed to all the feedback and pushed back iPadOS 16’s release. It also opened up Stage Manager to non-M1 iPad Pros after initially making the feature incompatible with them.
New iPad Pro and MacBook Pro could also launch in the last week of October
Alongside new iOS and iPadOS builds, Apple should also seed macOS Ventura to the public in the same week. The release of the software updates could coincide with the launch of the M2 iPad Pro and M2 Pro-powered MacBook Pros.
Apple was initially expected to hold another product event in October to unveil new iPad and Macs. But rumors indicate that given the minor internal refresh, the company will launch them via a press release.
