Apple is planning a major shift in how it names its operating systems, as part of a broader software overhaul across its range of devices.
According to Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter due to the confidentiality of the plan, Apple will begin naming its systems based on the year of release rather than version numbers. For example, the current “iOS 18” will be renamed to “iOS 26.”
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Other updates will adopt similar names, such as iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.
This move aims to unify Apple’s OS branding and eliminate the current numbering system, which has often been confusing for both users and developers due to the differing release timelines of each platform.
A spokesperson for the Cupertino-based company declined to comment on the report.
Apple is expected to announce this change during its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9.
New Interfaces
The renaming will also be accompanied by redesigned user interfaces across all operating systems, in an effort to deliver a more consistent and seamless experience as users move between devices.
Internally, the new design is reportedly called “Solarium” and will extend to tvOS, watchOS, and parts of visionOS, according to earlier Bloomberg coverage.
This strategy mirrors moves made by Samsung and Microsoft in the past.
In 2020, Samsung launched the Galaxy S20 to align with the release year, following the Galaxy S10.
Microsoft, for its part, has used year-based naming since releasing Windows 95, followed by Windows 98 and Windows 2000.
One key difference is that Apple plans to use the upcoming year — not the current one — in its naming. So even though the new systems will launch in September 2025, they will be labeled as 2026 releases, similar to how car companies name their models. If Apple continues this approach, the next releases would be named 27.
Notably, Apple had previously used a similar strategy with its iWork and iLife software suites, such as iWork ’08 and iLife ’08 released in 2007, followed by iLife ’11 in October 2010.
As part of the upcoming updates, Apple is also planning to give the iPad a more Mac-like experience, potentially making it better suited for office work.
Additionally, the company will allow third-party developers to access the AI models powering its Apple Intelligence platform.
Expected new features this year include: real-time translation mode for AirPods and Siri, eye-tracking scroll support for Vision Pro, AI-powered health features, and an intelligent battery management mode.
Apple also plans to introduce a new bilingual keyboard (Arabic-English), a digital pen for Arabic calligraphy on Apple Pencil, and a new dedicated gaming app for its devices. — Agencies
