Apple is reportedly set to overhaul its operating system naming convention at WWDC 2025, shifting from incremental version numbers to a year-based system. Instead of releasing iOS 19 this fall, the tech giant could debut iOS 26, aligning the version number with the upcoming year, 2026. The same system would apply across Apple’s core platforms, including iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS.
This change aims to simplify branding and remove the inconsistencies caused by staggered release dates across devices. Currently, Apple’s OS lineup ranges from iOS 18 and macOS 15 to watchOS 11 and visionOS 2. A unified year-based naming system could make it easier for users and developers to track versions without memorizing each platform’s version history.
While a dramatic leap in version numbers might surprise some, it mirrors strategies used by companies like Samsung and EA’s FIFA franchise. Apple is expected to confirm this new naming convention during its WWDC keynote on June 9.
