Finally, you can download iPadOS 15 without having to use the public or developer beta. Apple released iPadOS 15 today (Monday, September 20), just days before the iPad 9 and iPad mini 6 ship.

But why should you update now? iPadOS 15's biggest new change is Apple's new multitasking button. In addition, widgets have finally been added to the home screen, as well as an App Library. These two were supposed to be implemented in last year's iPadOS 14, but came too late.

On top of that, Live Text (the coolest feature in iOS 15 if you ask me) is now available, allowing you to copy text directly from a photo. Fantastic.

As always, there is one important caveat with major OS updates: before you download iPadOS 15, make a backup. iCloud Backups is the easiest way to do this.

There are two ways to do this, but Apple recommends restoring from a local archival backup. I recommend that method, but going via iCloud is the quicker way to ensure your data is backed up.

To back up locally to a Mac: Connect your iPad, open the Finder (iTunes for iOS 12), select that iPad in the left menu, and click "Summary."

Then under "Backup" select "This computer" (unlike iCloud) and click "Backup Now".

If backing up via Mac, archive that backup (select Backup in Manage Backups, then click Archive) so that you can restore from this backup. [iPadOS 15 supports exactly the same iPads as iPadOS 14.

If you are not using iPadOS 14, here is a list of supported iPads:

Just a warning: if the following sites do not appear as quickly as you expect, take a break.

1. open the Settings app.

2. Select "General.

3. Select "Software Update.

4. here's the weird part: you have to tap Learn More. You may be able to skip to step 6.

5. under "Also Available" tap "Upgrade to iPadOS 15."

6. Tap "Download and Install" under "iPadOS 15.

7. Enter your iPad passcode.

8. Tap I Agree.

9. Tap I Agree.

Your iPad will download iPadOS 15. Follow the prompts and wait for the installation to complete!