Bluesky has introduced several new features in its latest update, including beta iPad support and a new option to display external links prominently on user profiles. The changes aim to improve the experience for people using the social network on Apple tablets while giving creators more ways to connect with their audiences and promote their work.
The update also expands options for users who want to direct followers to other online platforms, websites, and crowdfunding services. By placing these links directly on profiles, Bluesky makes it easier for creators to share their work and encourage financial support without relying entirely on links in individual posts.
Bluesky begins beta testing its iPad app
One of the main additions in the latest update is beta support for Apple’s iPad. The move is expected to improve how Bluesky looks and operates on the company’s tablets, addressing the experience for users who access the social network on a larger screen rather than through a phone.
Also new in today’s v1.136 update: iPad support! One of our most-requested features is finally here in beta. Try out the Bluesky app on your iPad, and if you see anything off, let us know under Settings > Beta features.
— Bluesky (@bsky.app) October 23, 2026 at 12:30 AM
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The beta release gives the company a chance to test the app’s performance and identify issues before rolling out further improvements. Tablet users can explore the updated experience and report problems they encounter while using Bluesky on their devices. This feedback could help the company identify areas that need refinement, including potential interface inconsistencies and unexpected behaviour.
Users who want to report issues can access the Beta Features section in the app’s Settings menu. The section lets users share feedback about bugs or other problems they encounter while using the iPad version. This process lets early users contribute to the app’s development by highlighting issues that internal testing may not have caught.
Software developers commonly use beta testing to evaluate new features across a wider range of devices and usage conditions. User reports can help developers understand how an application behaves outside controlled testing environments. For Bluesky, this feedback may help improve compatibility and make the experience more consistent for iPad owners.
iPad support also makes Bluesky more accessible to people who prefer tablets for browsing social media. A larger display can provide more space to read posts, view conversations, and navigate different sections of an application. However, the extent of the improvements will depend on how the beta version performs and what changes follow the initial testing period.
Because the feature remains in beta, users may encounter occasional problems or elements that don’t work as expected. Bluesky’s request for feedback indicates the company is still refining the experience rather than presenting the current version as a finished release. Users who rely on the service for regular communication may therefore want to report any significant issues through the designated settings section.
New profile links give creators more promotional options
The latest update also adds a feature that lets users place links to external platforms at the top of their Bluesky profiles. The addition is intended to help creators direct followers to other online destinations, including personal websites, newsletters, and crowdfunding services.
For creators who use social media to build an audience, maintaining connections across different platforms can be an important part of their work. Bluesky’s new option gives them a more visible place to share those destinations, making it easier for followers to find additional content or learn how to support them financially.
Crowdfunding services such as Patreon and Ko-fi could benefit from the change. Creators can use these services to receive financial contributions from their audiences, offer membership benefits or fund ongoing projects. By adding relevant links to their profiles, Bluesky users can make these options easier to discover without repeating the same information in their posts.
The feature may also help users promote content published outside the social network. Writers, artists, journalists and other independent creators can direct followers to their websites or newsletters, where they may publish material that does not appear on Bluesky itself. This provides a more direct route between a creator’s social media presence and their wider online activities.
To use the feature, users can open the Edit Profile menu and look for the new Links section. From there, they can add links to external websites and services they want to share with visitors. Placing these destinations on the profile gives them a more permanent location than links shared in individual posts, which can become harder to find as conversations develop.
The change could also reduce the need for creators to tell followers to check a link in their biography repeatedly. That phrase has become common across social media platforms where users have limited options for including clickable links in posts. With external destinations displayed more prominently on Bluesky profiles, creators have another way to guide audiences towards their work.
What the update means for Bluesky users
Together, the two additions address different aspects of the Bluesky experience. The iPad beta improves access to the social network across Apple devices. At the same time, the profile-link feature gives users more flexibility in how they present themselves and connect with people beyond the platform.
For everyday users, the new links section may provide a convenient way to discover a person’s other online accounts, creative projects or professional work. Instead of searching separately for a website or newsletter, visitors can find those destinations directly through the user’s profile. The feature’s usefulness will depend on whether individuals choose to add relevant links and keep them up to date.
For creators, the update offers another opportunity to build relationships with followers and make their work easier to access. Social networks can help creators attract attention, but audiences may also need a straightforward way to support projects, subscribe to newsletters or explore content published elsewhere. A dedicated profile section can help bridge that gap.
The iPad beta, meanwhile, signals that Bluesky is continuing to develop its application for different device types. Tablet users can contribute feedback through the Beta Features section, giving the company information that could guide future improvements. The final experience will depend on how effectively the team addresses reported issues during testing.
Neither feature changes Bluesky’s basic purpose as a social networking service, but both expand how people can use it. Better tablet support could make the platform more convenient for some users. In contrast, external profile links could make it more useful for creators who depend on several online services to reach their audiences.
The latest update reflects Bluesky’s efforts to improve usability while giving its community more ways to share content and maintain connections outside the platform. As iPad testing continues and users add external links to their profiles, feedback and adoption will determine how valuable the changes become over time.
