Apple is set to make a significant change to its operating system naming convention, according to a recent report from Bloomberg. Instead of following the traditional version numbering, Apple will adopt a year-based naming system for all its major operating systems, starting this year.
Year-Based Naming Across All Platforms
Beginning with the upcoming releases, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS will all be identified by the year of their release. For example, rather than launching iOS 19, Apple will introduce iOS 26, aligning with the year 2026. The same approach will apply to iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.
Consistency and Unified Design
This shift is intended to bring consistency across Apple's diverse lineup of operating systems, eliminating the confusion caused by disparate version numbers. By adopting a vehicle-style numbering system based on the upcoming year, Apple aims to make its software ecosystem more intuitive for users and developers alike.
The new naming scheme will also coincide with a major design overhaul. Apple is planning to introduce a refreshed, visionOS-inspired design across all platforms, further unifying the user experience on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro devices.
Announcement at WWDC
Apple is expected to officially announce this new naming strategy at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which kicks off on Monday, June 9. The move signals a broader effort by Apple to streamline its branding and enhance the cohesiveness of its software offerings.
