Apple may be preparing to change the way it names its operating systems. Instead of launching the expected iOS 19 this year, the company could unveil iOS 26, aligning its software with the calendar year.
According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is considering a full rebrand of its software lineup. The shift would standardize the naming convention across all its platforms—macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS—so that each version reflects the year of release.
This would mean that in 2025, users could see Apple iOS 26, macOS 26, and other platforms labeled the same way. The current system has created inconsistencies, such as iOS being at version 18 while macOS stands at 15. Moving to a year-based model may bring clarity to Apple’s software ecosystem.
The company has used version numbers since renaming iPhone OS to iOS in 2010. This would be the first major change to the naming structure in over a decade.
Microsoft used a similar approach in the past, naming its Windows operating systems after years, including Windows 95 and Windows 98, before shifting to version numbers like Windows 11.
Apple’s decision is expected to be announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference, which begins on June 9, 2025. Beyond the name change, Apple is also rumored to debut a visual refresh for its platforms during the same event.
“The company is working on a major rebrand across all of its operating systems, which will be identified by year instead of version number,” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote.
The change would help Apple maintain a more unified approach across devices and may align software expectations more closely with the hardware cycle.
If implemented, the new naming convention will likely take effect with the 2025 releases, starting with iOS 26 and similar updates across its product lines.
Article updated 4 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
