Craig Federighi: Putting macOS on iPad Would 'Lose What Makes iPad iPad' [Video]

In a recent interview with Rafael Zeier, Apple's software chief Craig Federighi addressed the long-running debate over the iPad's identity, explaining why the company continues to resist putting macOS on its tablet and how iPadOS 26 is evolving to meet the needs of power users.

For years, some users have pushed for a full desktop operating system on the iPad, but Federighi reaffirmed Apple's philosophy: the iPad is designed from the ground up for a touch-first experience—something that would be compromised by simply porting over macOS. "We really designed iPad from the beginning for this touch-first world," he said, adding that for many people, the iPad is their primary—or even first—computing device. In his words, putting macOS on the tablet would "lose what makes iPad iPad."

Still, Apple isn't ignoring the call for more advanced capabilities. With iPadOS 26, the company is adding features that make the iPad more Mac-like, such as a flexible windowing system, a more precise pointer, and a menu bar. Federighi acknowledged that early multitasking tools like Split View could confuse users, especially if activated accidentally. The updated system keeps full-screen mode as the default but now gives advanced users more powerful multitasking options.


Federighi also talked about the new Liquid Glass design, describing it as an "audacious goal" to bring a consistent look and feel to all Apple devices. Liquid Glass isn't a one-size-fits-all design, he said, but a flexible system that adapts to the unique character of each device—from Apple Watch to CarPlay to Mac.

The interview touched on the newly introduced background tasks as well. Federighi emphasized that iPad users will always remain in control: apps must declare what background task they're performing, show progress, and allow the user to cancel at any time. The goal, he said, is to ensure these tasks never compromise the iPad's hallmark responsiveness.

Take a look at the full interview below...