Apple announces a major change to its OS branding at WWDC 25, moving from version numbers to a year-based system starting in 2026. This update affects all OS names: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and VisionOS 26. Despite this, Apple’s iPhones will continue using the current numbering system.
Apple has officially announced a significant upgrade to its operating system branding during the WWDC 25 developer conference. Starting in 2026, the company is replacing the existing version numbers with a year-based naming convention. This means that Apple’s mobile and desktop operating systems will be designated as iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and VisionOS 26 moving forward.
The motivation behind this change is not just cosmetic; it aims to simplify and streamline how users track updates across Apple’s numerous operating systems. Previously, users had to navigate through what’s becoming an overwhelming array of naming conventions, especially now that Apple has introduced its Vision Pro headset, bringing its total to six OS families.
Despite this overhaul for its operating systems, Apple will maintain the existing numbering system for its iPhones. For example, the iPhone lineup will not adopt the year-based naming system suited for its OS counterparts. In contrast, other tech giants such as Samsung have already embraced this approach; they shifted to a year-based naming system for their Galaxy S phones back in 2020, following the Galaxy S10 with the Galaxy S25 currently available.
While the new naming structure promises to ease some legwork for users, Apple maintains a commitment to cultivating its heritage in the names of future macOS versions. For instance, the upcoming version will still carry the California-themed names like Tahoe, which keeps a connection to the beautiful landscapes of the region.
