Apple is reportedly planning to change the naming convention of its operating systems, shifting from sequential version numbers to a year-based system. This means that the next major iOS update, previously expected to be iOS 19, will be named iOS 26 to correspond with the year 2026. Similar changes are anticipated across other platforms, including iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS, all adopting the “26” designation.
Key Highlights:
- Standardization Across Platforms: The move aims to unify the versioning of Apple’s diverse operating systems, addressing current inconsistencies such as iOS 18, watchOS 12, and visionOS 2.
- Automotive-Inspired Naming: The new naming strategy mirrors practices in the automotive industry, where models are often named after the upcoming year, enhancing clarity for consumers.
- Announcement at WWDC 2025: Apple is expected to officially announce this change at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), beginning on June 9, 2025.
- Design Overhaul Inspired by visionOS: Alongside the renaming, Apple is anticipated to unveil a design overhaul of its operating systems, drawing inspiration from the aesthetics and functionality of the Vision Pro’s visionOS.
This strategic shift is intended to streamline Apple’s software ecosystem, making it more intuitive for users to identify and understand the versions of their devices’ operating systems.
For more details, read the full article on The Verge: Apple is reportedly going to rename all of its operating systems.
📢 Disclaimer
This article is based on information from trusted tech news sources. Techwhatif.com summarizes and adapts these insights to make tech news more accessible to our readers. Full credit goes to the original authors and publications. If you're the content owner and have any concerns, please contact us directly for resolution.
