May 30, 2025, 9:04 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Apple faces an unexpected move: At the WWDC developer conference on June 9, the company plans to unveil iOS 26 instead of iOS 19. This change is expected to affect not only iPhones but all Apple operating systems.
According to consistent media reports, Apple plans a significant change to the naming of its operating systems. In the future, iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and other platforms will no longer be numbered sequentially but named after the year of release—with a look into the future. Instead of iOS 19, iOS 26 is expected to appear this year. This strategy is not entirely new.
iOS Naming with a Year Lead—Like in the Automotive Industry
According to a Bloomberg report, Apple will present its latest iOS version at the WWDC on June 9. The change from iOS 19 to iOS 26 would mean a leap of eight versions and the end of the previously used sequential version numbers. iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS will also adopt this scheme. Thus, macOS 15 will become macOS 26, and watchOS 11 will become watchOS 26.
The new system is based on a year-based model, similar to car brands. The version number refers not to the current year but to the following one. iOS 26 will be introduced in 2025 but will unfold most of its functions in 2026. Apple is following a pattern that other manufacturers, like Samsung, have already adopted. The South Korean company changed the naming of its smartphones to Galaxy S20 in 2020 and has followed the yearly numbers since then.
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Apple Wants More Uniformity in Its Systems
The background of the change is the desired unification within the Apple ecosystem. Currently, the operating systems have very different version statuses: iOS and iPadOS are at 18, macOS at 15, watchOS at 11, and visionOS at 3. Even visionOS, which is only at version 3, could be labeled visionOS 26 in the future. The homeOS, which is under development, could also appear in the new scheme for the first time.
Besides the name change, Apple plans further innovations for the WWDC: a more Mac-like user experience for iPads, AI features for third-party providers, live translations for AirPods, eye control for Vision Pro, and new health features. A new calligraphy pen for the Apple Pencil and a gaming app are also under discussion. Additionally, the new iOS design with glass effects and floating menus is expected to visually accompany the name change. Whether Apple will also present new hardware is still open.