Apple is preparing to overhaul the naming of its operating systems in a major shift aimed at simplifying and unifying its software branding.
Starting this year, Apple’s next set of platforms — including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS — will adopt year-based names, with all versions moving to “26” to represent the upcoming 2026 model year, sources familiar with the matter revealed. That means iOS 18 will leap to iOS 26, while macOS 15 will become macOS 26, and so on.
The tech giant plans to unveil the new naming convention at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, alongside sweeping visual redesigns across platforms and enhanced AI integrations. Internally, the fresh UI aesthetic is codenamed “Solarium” and will affect tvOS, watchOS, and parts of visionOS.
Currently, Apple’s operating systems follow separate version tracks, reflecting the years each platform was introduced — resulting in inconsistencies like iOS 18, watchOS 12, and visionOS 2 being released simultaneously. The year-based naming is designed to bring alignment across platforms and reflect a more modern, cohesive branding strategy.
The move echoes approaches by rivals like Samsung, which switched to naming its Galaxy S phones after the launch year starting with the Galaxy S20 in 2020, and Microsoft, which began using year-based names for Windows in the 1990s with Windows 95 and Windows 98.
However, Apple will differ by naming software after the upcoming calendar year — akin to how carmakers label new models. For instance, software launching in September 2025 will carry the 2026 label.
Apple’s revamped software will also deliver:
- A more Mac-like interface on iPad, designed to improve productivity and support office use.
- A new bidirectional Arabic-English keyboard and digital calligraphy pen support for Apple Pencil.
- Live translation features for AirPods and Siri.
- Eye-scrolling capabilities for the Vision Pro headset.
- AI-powered health tools and an intelligent battery management mode as part of the Apple Intelligence platform.
- Open access to Apple’s AI models for third-party developers, enabling deeper app integrations.
The full suite of updates — and the bold renaming strategy — are expected to roll out with Apple’s annual software launch cycle in September 2025.
