After 14 Years, iPads Might Finally Receive a Built-in Calculator App

Since the launch of the first iPad in 2010, Apple’s Calculator app has been notably absent from the tablet. Now, 14 years later, Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a built-in Calculator app to its iPad lineup, according to a recent report by MacRumors.

Apple is set to unveil new iPads in May and announce major software updates, including iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS 2, at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference starting June 10. According to MacRumors, the Calculator app for iPad will be released as part of iPadOS 18. This means that with iPadOS 18, all iPad models will finally include a native Calculator app.

The good news is that Apple has finally recognized the need for an official Calculator app on the iPad lineup. For years, social media has been filled with memes poking fun at the absence of an Apple Calculator app on the iPad, highlighting both the humor and the oversight. In the meantime, iPad users have turned to third-party calculator apps from the App Store, such as PCal and Calculator for iPad.

Since iPadOS is built on iOS, many original iPadOS apps were initially just the corresponding iOS apps scaled up to fit a larger screen. There were concerns that a Calculator app taking up the entire screen of an iPad would look odd and might be difficult for users to navigate. It will be interesting to see how Apple designs the Calculator app to ensure it fits seamlessly and functions well on the iPad’s larger display.

Last week, AppleInsider reported that macOS 15 will receive the most significant update to its Calculator app in years. The new macOS 15 will feature a revamped Calculator app with integration with the Notes app, a resizable window, a history tape feature, and enhanced unit conversion capabilities. While no details are confirmed yet, the updated Mac Calculator app might be modeled after the new iPad app.

We’ll get our first preview of iPadOS 18, along with other major software updates, during the WWDC keynote event, which will run from June 10 to June 14. The first Developer Beta will be available immediately after the event, with the public release expected sometime in September.