Apple’s SVP Of Software Engineering Craig Federighi Wants To Maintain The iPad’s Simplicity, Making It The Best Touch Computer, As He Responds To The Possibility Of These Tablets Running macOS
The ‘Liquid Glass’ UI makeover was not the only change Apple introduced with iPadOS 26, because the company has now increased the productivity list for compatible tablets, bringing multitasking to the table that will allow these slates to become a more refined notebook substitute. A major similarity between Macs and iPads is that they are powered by the same Apple Silicon, meaning that both product classes can seamlessly run macOS, assuming the technology giant allows such a transition. Unfortunately, Senior Vice President of software engineering, Craig Federighi, sat down in the latest interview, downplaying these possibilities, believing that the iPad’s simplicity needs to be maintained.
Whatever Federighi’s remarks are about not bringing macOS to the iPad, it is obvious that Apple would never allow its billion-dollar business segment to be compromised by running the same operating system
On Rafael Zeier’s YouTube channel, Craig Federighi made some clarifications regarding Apple’s stance on bringing macOS to the iPad. Unfortunately, it is not going to happen, irrespective of how many Mac-like features arrive for the tablet range. To remind readers, iPadOS 26 brings flexible app windowing, support for advanced keyboard shortcuts, and a floating menu bar. With keyboard and mouse support already existing for this platform, these additions are designed to improve productivity for power users.
The company has successfully managed to incorporate these changes without merging iPadOS and macOS. Federighi believes that the simplicity of the iPad needs to be maintained so that it can be used by all age groups. The simple and intuitive software makes the entire platform appear seamless, and by adding macOS to the mixture, users may get overwhelmed. Federighi also says that the iPad was designed with the touch experience in mind, stating that Apple’s tablet family has the best computers that offer this interface.
As for Macs, the executive says that these are the best computers that support mice and keyboards. During its Q2 2025 earnings call, Apple stated that it generated $6.4 billion from iPad sales and remains the biggest tablet vendor in the world. It is obvious that the Cupertino firm will do everything in its power to prevent the merging of the macOS and iPadOS platforms or risk losing out billions in revenue. From the looks of it, its position will remain as it has been for the past several years.
News Source: Rafael Zeier
