At WWDC 2025 on Monday, Apple revealed a significant shift in the titles of its operating systems. This significant shift with Apple, is an extensive rewrite of the way it names its operating systems, or more accurately, assigns numbers to them. They are now named according to the year rather than the number of versions each has had. Specifically, next year.
This year’s iPhones will get iOS 26, and Apple Macs will have macOS Tahoe 26. The set is completed with iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. In subsequent years, the figures will add up, making it simple to determine whether or not any Apple gadget is running the most recent software version.
Clarity and consistency across all platforms are the goals of this new naming scheme. In addition to streamlining the naming process, this modification will be consistent with the practices of competitors Samsung and Microsoft, making it simpler for users to comprehend and recognize the most recent changes.
Apple’s previous numbering scheme, which includes iOS 18 concurrently with watchOS 11 and visionOS 2, is obviously simplified by the new method. During the keynote speech at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which takes place all week, Apple made the announcement. It’s not wholly unexpected; Bloomberg revealed in late May that Apple was preparing the move.
These moniker changes are a part of a number of announcements made during WWDC, such as a comprehensive redesign with a translucent interface and a look the company calls “Liquid Glass.” This is the biggest overhaul since iOS 7 and the most noticeable change to date.