Apple could be planning something big for its iOS. According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple might change how it names its operating systems. Instead of using numbers like iOS 18 or 19, Apple may start using the upcoming year. So, what we thought would be iOS 19 could actually be called iOS 26. Yes, you read that right.
This is a big shift. Apple has always followed version numbers for its software updates. But from 2025, Apple may start naming iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS based on the year they will be used in. That means software released in late 2025 will be labeled “26” instead of 19 or 18. This sounds a bit strange at first, but it makes sense if Apple wants to unify its branding.
Here’s a list of upcoming software versions:
- iOS 26 (instead of iOS 19)
- macOS 26 (instead of macOS 16)
- iPadOS 26 (instead of iPadOS 19)
- watchOS 26 (instead of watchOS 12)
- tvOS 26 (instead of tvOS 19)
- visionOS 26 (instead visionOS 3)
Companies like Microsoft and Samsung have done this before. Microsoft had Windows 95, 98, and so on. Samsung names its Galaxy phones based on the year. So Apple is not doing something new, but it is new for them.
Now, I am not against the idea. Using the year can actually make it easier for users to know when a version was released. If you hear iOS 26, you instantly know it is for 2026. It also makes it feel newer and more relevant. But still, part of me likes the old-school version numbers. iOS 19, 20, and so on feel more technical and traditional.
This change may also come with a major design update. Apple wants to make all its platforms, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, and even Vision Pro, look more similar. A design inspired by visionOS could come to all Apple devices. If done well, this could make the Apple ecosystem feel even more unified.
Apple is also planning some interesting new features. iPads might work more like Macs, there could be live-translation support in Siri and AirPods, and Vision Pro might get eye-scrolling. New AI tools for health and battery, a better keyboard for Arabic-English users, a calligraphy tool for Apple Pencil, and a gaming app are also said to be coming.
Overall, I do not think changing the name is a bad move. But it might take some time to get used to. People are used to iOS version numbers. Jumping from iOS 18 to iOS 26 will sound odd at first. But if it brings better features, smarter AI tools, and a fresh design, then maybe it is worth it.
Let us wait and see what Apple announces at WWDC on June 9. If this naming change is real, it will be interesting to see how Apple presents it.
