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iPadOS

iPadOS runs on the same XNU kernel as iOS and macOS but is tailored specifically for tablet use, offering a larger display and expanded multitasking while lacking native phone call capability.

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About this video

The Apple iPad runs iPadOS, a dedicated operating system designed specifically for tablet hardware. Although iPadOS is distinct from iOS, both share the same underlying XNU kernel, which is also the foundation of macOS. This common kernel means that while the user-facing experience is adapted for different form factors and use cases, the core architecture remains consistent across Apple's device lineup. Apps tied to an Apple ID can sync automatically between an iPhone and an iPad, reflecting how tightly integrated the ecosystem is at the software level. In practice, iPadOS takes advantage of the tablet's larger display by presenting more information on screen at once. The Settings app, for example, shows navigation options on the left and corresponding detail panels on the right simultaneously, a layout that would not be practical on a smaller phone screen. The current iPadOS version can be confirmed under Settings, just as it can on an iPhone, keeping system management familiar across devices. Despite these similarities, the iPad differs from the iPhone in meaningful ways. It is not capable of placing or receiving traditional phone calls over cellular networks, even when equipped with a cellular data plan. Voice calls are still possible through data-based services such as Google Voice, but they travel over internet connections rather than standard cell towers. The iPad's size also makes it impractical to carry in a pocket, positioning it as a complementary device rather than a direct replacement for a smartphone.

What you'll learn

What's covered

iPad as a Mobile Device

Aligned to

CompTIA Tech+
2.6 Compare and contrast common computing devices and their purposes.
CompTIA A+ Core 2
1.8 Explain common OS types and their purposes.
Cisco CCST IT
4.3 Assist users in resolving mobile device issues

Key terms

iPadOS
Apple's operating system built specifically for iPad devices, sharing the same XNU kernel as iOS and macOS but adapted for a larger tablet form factor.
Internetworking Operating System
IOS
Cisco's proprietary operating system running on most Cisco routers and switches, providing a command-line interface for device configuration, management, and monitoring. IOS is the foundation for Cisco's network equipment and has evolved into variants such as IOS XE, IOS XR, and NX-OS.
XNU Kernel
XNU
The kernel powering macOS, where XNU stands for 'X is Not Unix'; it is derived from a Unix-like foundation based on FreeBSD.
Cellular Data
A wireless data connection provided through mobile carrier networks, allowing devices to access the internet without Wi-Fi.

Topics

Ipados Ios Xnu Kernel Operating Systems Mobile Operating Systems Multitasking Apple Platforms

Transcript

An iPad next to an iPhone

Another mobile device you may be using is something like a tablet. This one is from Apple, it is called an iPad, and it operates very similarly to my iPhone, which is also from Apple. We see a lot of similarities between these - in fact, when I install an app on one, it can automatically show up on the other.

What are some differences, though? This one actually has an operating system that is a little different. This has iPadOS, and iPadOS is a different operating system built specifically for iPads. However, once again, that kernel is still the same: it is XNU. So the base of it is the same as my iPhone, and the same as my MacBook Pro back here. They are all the same kernel, however the operating systems have been altered for the different formats that we have here.

Getting around iPadOS

Here again it is very similar to the iPhone, I just have a lot more screen that I can work with, so you can see I can have a lot more icons on here.

I am going to open up the settings. In the settings, on the left hand side it shows you the navigation part of this; on the right hand side it shows you the details. So it is able to display more. I can click on About and I can see information like the iPadOS version, which is 17.1.2.

So we can get a much better experience from this from just a sheer screen point of view. However, I cannot really fit this in my pocket very well.

What the iPad cannot do

This also is not capable of making phone calls like my iPhone can do. My iPhone can make phone calls; this cannot. Although this is capable of connecting to cellular data, so I can put a data plan on this, and wherever I go I can still get data. I just cannot make phone calls through cell towers.

I can install things like Google Voice on here - there is Google Voice on here - and I could use Google Voice to make phone calls that way, but it goes through data lines rather than cellular lines.

So those are some of the differences between this iPad that I have right here and my iPhone.

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