Apple to Adopt Year-Based Naming for Operating Systems Starting with iOS 26

According to a recent Bloomberg report covered by TechCrunch, Apple is preparing to overhaul its operating system naming convention. Instead of the traditional sequential numbering (such as iOS 19 following iOS 18), Apple will begin naming its operating systems by year. This means the update after iOS 18 will be called iOS 26, aligning with the year of release. The same approach will be applied across the company’s product lines, including iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS, all of which will adopt the ’26’ suffix for their next major updates.

This change aims to create a more consistent and less confusing branding strategy across Apple’s ecosystem, making it easier for users to identify the latest software versions. The official announcement is expected at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) on June 9th, 2025. Alongside the rebranding, Apple is rumored to introduce new user interfaces and unveil updated features for AirPods, Siri, the Vision Pro headset, and a suite of new AI capabilities. The move signals Apple’s commitment to both clarity in product communication and ongoing innovation in its software offerings.