Apple to overhaul OS naming
Apple is reportedly planning a significant change to its operating system naming strategy. Instead of the familiar incremental version numbers (like iOS 18, watchOS 12, etc.), future releases will be identified by a year-based system, mirroring the practice in the automotive industry. This means the upcoming major iOS update will be designated iOS 26, not iOS 19.
This adjustment will affect all major operating systems, including iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. The rationale behind this shift is to establish a more coherent and consistent numbering scheme across Apple's software ecosystem. The current system, with its varied version numbers, has arguably become unwieldy.
A Unified Software Identity
The year-based naming structure aims to simplify version identification and user understanding. While the year designation will lag one year behind the actual release, this approach prioritizes clarity over precise chronological alignment. This announcement is expected during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), commencing on June 9th.
Concurrent with the naming change, Apple is rumored to showcase a redesigned interface for its operating systems. The new look is said to be heavily influenced by the design aesthetics of visionOS, the operating system powering the Vision Pro headset. This unified design language will further strengthen the overall coherence across Apple's software platforms.
Source: The Verge