Apple Unifies Operating Systems Under New Year-Based Naming Scheme
Apple is preparing for a significant branding shift for its operating systems this year, aiming for a unified naming strategy. According to Bloomberg, the tech giant plans to rename its operating systems by year rather than version numbers, starting with the upcoming releases. So, instead of the anticipated iOS 19, Apple will introduce iOS 26.
This renaming will apply across all Apple's operating systems, aligning iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS under the same numbering convention. Users can expect to see iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26, instead of the fragmented numbering previously in place: iOS/iPadOS 19, macOS 16, tvOS 19, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3.
Apple’s decision reflects an effort to streamline and standardize the user experience across its diverse product ecosystem. This change introduces a clearer, vehicle-style numbering system, marking each version with the subsequent year. For instance, the upcoming update will be dubbed iOS 26 rather than iOS 25, since it will span from late 2025 into 2026.
Apple is expected to formally announce these updates and the naming shift during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, scheduled to take place Monday, June 9.
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Credit: Macrumors/Bloomberg
