iOS 19 & iPadOS 19: Major Multitasking Overhaul Expected, Mirroring visionOS & Preparing for iPhone Fold

Apple is on the cusp of potentially huge updates to iOS and iPadOS with the upcoming iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 releases, expected to be unveiled at WWDC in June. Rumors are swirling around a significant overhaul focused on multitasking and productivity, with many changes echoing features found in Apple's visionOS. It's exciting to think about the possibilities!

New Multitasking Experiences

A key element of these updates appears to be a more robust multitasking system. For iPadOS 19, specifically, there's talk of "Stage Manager 2.0"— an enhanced version of the existing feature that lets you work with multiple apps simultaneously on an external display. What's particularly intriguing is that this improved Stage Manager is rumored to activate automatically when a Magic Keyboard is connected, suggesting Apple is aiming for a seamless, laptop-like transition.

Adding to this more desktop-focused experience for iPads, iPadOS 19 is predicted to introduce a macOS-style menu bar at the top of the screen when used with a Magic Keyboard. This could really blur the lines between the iPad and Mac, bringing familiar navigation and controls to iPad users. It's a pretty bold move, and it’ll be interesting to see what kind of menu bar utilities become available.

iPhone Gets in on the Action

The excitement isn’t limited to iPads! iPhones with USB-C ports (that’s iPhone 15 models and newer) are also slated to benefit from improved external display support. Currently, connecting an iPhone to an external display simply mirrors the phone's screen. With iOS 19, that’s expected to change, with a "Stage Manager-like interface” popping up on the connected display.

Imagine being able to have multiple apps open and visible on a larger screen while still using your iPhone as the primary input! While it likely won't be quite as expansive as Samsung's DeX mode, it still feels like a considerable step up from existing mirroring functionality. The way the interface will be controlled isn’t entirely clear yet, there are speculations that the iPhone screen could transition into a keyboard/touchpad configuration when an external display is connected.

What's the Reasoning Behind These Changes?

Many speculate that these enhancements aren’t just arriving randomly. A big part of the puzzle is the forthcoming iPhone Fold. With a larger, iPad mini-sized display when unfolded, the iPhone Fold will *need* robust multitasking capabilities to truly shine. The rumored iOS 19 features, especially the Stage Manager-like interface, are likely laying the foundation for a smooth multitasking system tailored for the foldable form factor.

Apple seems to be strategically testing these features on other devices first to gather real-world data and make necessary adjustments before the iPhone Fold's launch. It’s smart to get it out there early and refine the experience.

Release Timeline & Important Notes

Keep an eye out for the first developer betas of both iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 right after the WWDC 2025 keynote on June 9th. The final public releases are expected in September. It's possible that some of the new features won’t be available in the very first beta, being rolled out in later updates.

It’s important to remember that the source of these leaks, Majin Bu, has a somewhat mixed record. While they've accurately predicted some things (like the iPhone 16e name and redesigned Apple Watch Ultra 2 Milanese Loop), they've also had some inaccuracies. So, while things look very promising, it’s best to approach these reports with a degree of cautious optimism.