iPadOS 26 Local Capture Feature Solves iPad's Podcasting Problem
With iPadOS 26, Apple is introducing a new Local Capture feature that lets users produce high-quality video and audio recordings right from their iPad while using any video conferencing app, and then easily share the audio and video files once the call is over.
Recently, Six Colors editor Jason Snell decided to put the new local audio and video capture feature in the iPadOS 26 beta through its paces, recording an entire podcast episode using nothing but iPads, and it's fair to say that he was very impressed with the results.
In iPadOS 18 and earlier versions, Apple makes remote podcasting on iPad basically impossible due to a privacy-protective limitation: the system only allows one app to access the microphone at a time. This means podcasters can't run a video call app like Zoom while simultaneously using a separate recording app to capture their own voice locally.
Apple's solution in iPadOS 26 sidesteps the multi-app microphone access issue entirely. Instead of allowing multiple apps to compete for audio access, the system now includes a built-in Local Capture feature accessible through Control Center. This records high-quality local audio and video whenever you're on a call, saving files directly to the Files app, ready for sharing.
The captured files contain lossless audio in FLAC format and video in HEVC, which ensures professional-grade quality. Snell noted the feature worked flawlessly even in the first developer beta, though he suggested Apple could add real-time audio level monitoring and gain adjustment controls before release. "Beyond that," says Snell, "this feature is a winner."
Let's see if Apple responds to his feedback. You can read his full appraisal over on Six Colors. iPadOS 26 remains in developer beta, with the public release expected in the fall.
Popular Stories
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week.
Past Launch Dates
Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position and retiring in spring 2026, Apple announced today.
Giannandrea will serve as an advisor between now and 2026, with former Microsoft AI researcher Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. Subramanya will report to Apple engineering chief Craig Federighi, and will lead Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and ...
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer.
The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
Cyber Week is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Specifically,...
2026 could be a bumper year for Apple's Mac lineup, with the company expected to announce as many as four separate MacBook launches. Rumors suggest Apple will court both ends of the consumer spectrum, with more affordable options for students and feature-rich premium lines for users that seek the highest specifications from a laptop.
Below is a breakdown of what we're expecting over the next ...
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026.
Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent.
Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released.
iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is selling well enough that Apple is on track to ship more than 247.4 million total iPhones in 2025, according to a new report from IDC.
Total 2025 shipments are forecast to grow 6.1 percent year over year due to iPhone 17 demand and increased sales in China, a major market for Apple.
Overall worldwide smartphone shipments across Android and iOS are forecast to...
