Have you been waiting for the first official announcements and presentations of iOS 19 and macOS 16, since you’ve already seen the first concepts and feel impatient to find out what actually awaits us? Hah, we get it – we’re just as eager for WWDC 2025. However, new rumors suggest that Apple plans to shake things up, not just with fresh designs, but also with the names themselves. Forget iOS 19 or macOS 16. We should prepare for iOS 26, macOS 26, and so on. Why would Apple skip all those numbers and fast-forward like this? Let’s figure it out.
Why Apple Just Skipped Ahead to OS Version 26
So, what exactly will change? In essence, Apple prepares the next ‘big changes’ – this time, just in the names of its operating systems. Instead of the usual incremental numbers, Apple plans to match the version number to the calendar year following the software release. For example, the OS launching in the fall of 2025 will carry the version number 26, reflecting the year 2026. Yes, the release happens in mid-2025, but the name points to 26. Why? Because Apple’s OS updates arrive every September, so the new version spends more months in the following year than in the release year itself. Makes sense, right? Or at least it tries to.
NEW: Apple will announce its biggest ever software rebrand at WWDC, tied to operating system redesigns. Apple is moving from version numbers to years (like Windows in the 90s). The new OSs: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, visionOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26. https://t.co/bS4CksGkqW
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 28, 2025
This new numbering scheme aims to unify version numbers across all Apple operating systems. Right now, things look like a confused family reunion – iOS stands at 18, macOS at 15, watchOS at 11, and visionOS at 2. A bit of a mess. With this change, we will get all these OSes marching in line as ’26.’ By adopting a year-based system, Apple is sending a clear message: consistency is king. The goal is to make naming clearer, simpler, and more synchronized. Whether this makes life easier for users or just causes a momentary wave of confusion remains to be seen. One thing is certain – if you were mentally prepping for iOS 19 or macOS 16, it’s time to rethink your calendar. And don’t be surprised if you call your phone ‘iOS Nineteen’ at a party and get blank stares.
Apple has not officially confirmed this change. Cupertino remains silent on the new naming scheme and has never announced names for iOS 19 or the next batch of OS updates. The scoop comes from leaks and insider sources, so it’s wise to take it with a grain of salt, though Bloomberg’s track record on Apple rumors usually doesn’t disappoint.
Could iPhone Models Skip Numbers Like Apple’s OS?
The naming shakeup might only affect operating systems, but what about iPhones? Will we jump straight to iPhone 26 instead of 17? So far, Apple has kept iPhone naming separate from OS versions, sticking with the usual number sequence and tiered labels like Plus, SE, Pro, and Pro Max.
That said, Apple likes to shake up product names whenever it feels like it. The Apple Watch Ultra and M1 Ultra chip show they’re ready to push ‘Ultra’ as the new top-tier label. Industry insiders say the iPhone Pro Max might eventually get rebranded as iPhone Ultra to fit the trend.
For now, Apple appears to be content with keeping OS names and iPhone models on separate tracks. However, given how quickly rumors appear, we can’t totally rule out the possibility that on June 9 at WWDC, Apple might not drop the iPhone 17, but rather the iPhone 26 Ultra. Sounds more like a rocket than a phone, right? Still, if Apple goes for that kind of branding, we wouldn’t be surprised. They’ve never been shy about pushing boundaries, both in tech and in confusing us with their names.
