Apple is getting ready to change how it names its operating systems. According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple will start using year-based names instead of regular version numbers.
This means the next iOS update will be called iOS 26 instead of iOS 19. Other systems like iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS will also jump to version 26. These new names will match the year after the update is released—just like how car models work.
Apple will likely announce this change at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9. The company also plans to show a fresh design for its software. This new look will be based on the style of the Vision Pro’s visionOS.
Right now, Apple’s system names are not very consistent. For example, iOS is at version 18, watchOS is at 12, and visionOS is only at version 2. Apple wants to make the names more uniform across all devices.
The WWDC keynote starts on June 9 at 1 PM ET.
