iOS 26, not iOS 19: Apple may replace version numbers with years for iOS, macOS, and all its other operating systems

Apple is planning to overhaul its operating system naming convention, moving from sequential version numbers to year-based identifiers in what represents the most significant branding change for the company's software lineup in years. The upcoming iOS update will be called iOS 26 instead of iOS 19 , with all other operating systems following suit.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the new naming strategy will debut at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9, affecting all major platforms. The upcoming releases will be branded as iPadOS 26 , macOS 26 , watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.

The change aims to bring consistency to Apple's software branding and eliminate confusion among customers and developers. Currently, different operating systems use disparate version numbers—iOS 18 runs alongside watchOS 12, macOS 15, and visionOS 2—because their initial versions didn't launch simultaneously.

Apple's approach mirrors the automotive industry's model year system, using the upcoming year rather than the current one. Since the software will launch in September 2025, it carries the 2026 designation. This strategy echoes Microsoft's Windows 95 and Windows 98 naming convention, as well as Samsung's decision to rebrand its Galaxy S series with year-based numbers starting with the Galaxy S20 in 2020.

iOS 26 expected to bring major redesign and other new features

The rebranding accompanies broader software redesigns across Apple's ecosystem. Internal code-named "Solarium," these interface updates will span tvOS, watchOS, and portions of visionOS, creating a more cohesive experience when users switch between devices.

Additional features coming with the new operating systems include live translation capabilities for AirPods and Siri , eye-scrolling functionality for Vision Pro users, and enhanced iPad experiences designed to make the tablet more Mac-like for workplace productivity. Apple also plans to open its artificial intelligence models to third-party developers, expanding access to the underlying technology powering Apple Intelligence.