Apple does not seem to continue this year with the usual numbering of its control systems. No iOS 19, but immediately iOS 26 – and that also applies to watchOS, macOS, TVOS and even Visionos. What does this mean for your Apple devices?
Apple will number operating systems per year
Apple has been counting its operating systems in a predictable way for years. After iOS 18, iOS 19 is obvious, just like Watchos 12 and MacOS 16. But according to Apple analyst Mark Gurman van Bloomberg Apple now opts for a striking new approach: the company completely switches to a numbering based on the year in which the software will be used the most.
This means that Apple will announce the following updates:
- iOS 26 (instead of iOS 19)
- iPados 26 (instead of iPados 19)
- Watchos 26 (instead of Watchos 12)
- MacOS 26 (instead of macOS 16)
- TVOS 26 (instead of TVOS 19)
- Visionos 26 (also in line with the new system)
Why suddenly iOS 26?
The reason behind this surprising name change is simple: overview and clarity. By giving all operating systems the same number based on the year in which they are active, Apple hopes to prevent confusion. Until now, the version numbers of macOS, Watchos and iOS ran quite apart, making it difficult to see which versions belong together. From this year that should become clearer. A similar change already took place a few years ago, when Apple chose to give macOS a new version number, instead of continuing with point releases behind 10. For example, we went from macOS 10.15 Catalina to MacOS 11 Big Sur.
In addition, the year has the advantage that the software feels ‘new’ for longer. Apple usually releases new versions of iOS at the end of September, so that the software is used for most of the following year. This is how iOS 26 feels fresh for a whole of 2026 – even though it already appears at the end of 2025.
Tighter design inspired by Visionos
The new naming is not the only major change this year. Apple is working on a fresh and uniform design for all its operating systems, inspired by Visionos – the system behind the Apple Vision Pro. Consider more transparency, glassy elements and consistent animations. This way the Apple ecosystem will soon feel even more as a whole, whether you work on your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch.
Will there be an iPhone 26 soon?
Now that Apple may opt for dates with software, the question immediately arises whether we can also expect an iPhone 26. That would not only be logical, but also ensures more consistency within the entire range of Apple. Samsung has been using this method for years (think of the Galaxy S24), so Apple would not only create clarity, but also competitive advantage. Whether this actually happens remains to be seen.
Want to know more? WWDC 2025 gives the answer!
We will only know whether the rumors about iOS 26 are correct on Monday 9 June during Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Traditionally, Apple traditionally reveals all major software updates and possibly also the new number strategy. Of course we keep you with iPhoned informed of this!
Do you want to know immediately what Apple announces during WWDC 2025? Then register for our newsletter or download our app and always stay up-to-date with the latest Apple news!
Download the iPhoned app
