If you’ve followed my content over the past few years, you may have noticed that I rely heavily on my iPad Pro as my primary computing device. While I do own a Mac Mini, I find myself consistently drawn to my iPad for productivity tasks (I’m currently composing this on it). The stunning hardware combined with the software’s focus on single-app functionality truly enhances my user experience. With the arrival of iPadOS 18, I’ve encountered a wealth of new features that reinforce my enthusiasm. Although many are familiar with the standout features, I’d like to highlight a few hidden gems that aren’t as widely known. Let’s dive in!
Make sure to watch my video below, where I explore the features mentioned here in detail along with additional insights.
1. Integrated Unit Converter
With the introduction of iPadOS 18, Apple has finally included a dedicated calculator app for the iPad. The most significant enhancement is the addition of new Math Notes features. Among these updates, the calculator app now offers a built-in converter that can handle nearly any unit. Whether you need to convert centimeters to feet, Pascals to Bar, or US dollars to Rupees, it’s all doable offline, ensuring access even in data-restricted environments—it’s a feature I genuinely appreciate!
2. Wi-Fi Sharing via QR Code
We often experience those ‘magic moments’ within the Apple Ecosystem—instances where everything seamlessly connects. For instance, you can unlock your Mac using your Apple Watch or effortlessly copy and paste between devices. One of the most useful functions is that of sharing Wi-Fi access with guests who have iOS devices. They simply tap your home Wi-Fi name, and you can easily grant them access. But what if your guest shows up with an Android device? Do they need to manually enter your complicated Wi-Fi password? Not anymore!
The newly updated Passwords app permits you to share your Wi-Fi connection by generating a QR code! Here’s how:
- Open the Passwords app.
- Select Wi-Fi.
- Choose your home network.
- Tap on ‘Show QR Code’.
- Have your guest scan it.
- And that’s it—they’re connected!
3. Drive Formatting in iPadOS
This was a game changer for me! A significant limitation of the Files app was the inability to format drives or SD cards, a feature that other file management systems had offered for years. Now, you can easily do this in iPadOS through the Files app:
- Connect your SSD to the iPad.
- Long press the drive icon in the Files app.
- Select ‘Erase’ (no worries; this isn’t an irreversible wipe yet).
- A menu will appear.
- Choose your preferred format.
- Tap “Erase”.
- And voilà—you’ve formatted and erased it successfully!
5. Eliminating Distractions
This feature might have gone under your radar until you experienced its usefulness firsthand. Safari has integrated a new feature that allows users to remove entire sections of a webpage—be it advertisements, specific text, or any unwanted part. Once hidden, it remains concealed until you decide to revert the setting. Many might think this is just a simple way to hide ads; however, I’ve found my sweet spot with this functionality.
I find myself using Google Sheets frequently on my iPad. While I
