Apple will switch to iOS 26 instead of iOS 19

Apple plans to change its operating system numbering system. Instead of the expected iOS 19, the company may introduce iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.

The new scheme will be tied to the year of release, since Apple typically releases public versions of its operating systems in the fall. This means that in the fall of 2025, a version named 2026 will appear, rather than the usual sequential number.

Official confirmation of the changes is expected on June 9 at WWDC 2025, where, according to rumors, Apple will also present significant interface updates for its systems to ensure a more unified user experience.

Bringing all versions to a single format will simplify the perception of updates, especially given the heterogeneous numbering system—for example, watchOS has already reached version 11, while visionOS is only at two. The new principle will help users more easily track releases.

Source: Bloomberg