iOS 26 might be launched at WWDC as an alternative of iOS 19iOS 26 might be launched at WWDC as an alternative of iOS 19iOS 26 might be launched at WWDC as an alternative of iOS 19
Apple might make a giant change to the best way it numbers its working programs, with a year-based system renaming iOS 19 as iOS 26, and macOS in the identical approach.
Apple’s numbering system is pretty easy, with the model quantity going up every year like clockwork. Nonetheless, that might not be the case this fall, as Apple allegedly plans to overtake its naming system.
Based on sources of Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple will probably be switching to a year-based naming system for its working programs. As a substitute of iOS 19, will probably be iOS 26, referencing the approaching yr of 2026 that may arrive months after the standard fall OS updates.
The title change will apparently apply to all of Apple’s mainline working programs, together with iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.
Apple is anticipated to announce the numbering replace throughout the WWDC keynote on June 9.
Demystified variations
The change is alleged to be meant to convey consistency to the branding and numbering. The present version-based numbering system varies between platforms, just because they had been launched at completely different occasions.
That has put us right into a state of affairs the place the present fundamental model numbers for Apple’s working programs are iOS 18, iPadOS 18, tvOS 18, watchOS 11, macOS 15, and visionOS 2.
By going for the yr forward, Apple’s following the precedent of different corporations by leaning on the yr because the identifier. For instance, Samsung’s Galaxy S vary or the FIFA soccer recreation franchise.
Through the use of the yr and the identical quantity throughout all working programs, Apple could simplify discussions about working programs, with out forcing customers to recollect which model was launched through which yr.
This isn’t the primary time Apple has thought-about a simplification of model numbers. OS X went from model 10.0 Cheetah to macOS 10.15 Catalina between 2001 and 2019, earlier than ultimately reaching macOS 11 Large Sur in 2020 and switching to larger annual jumps.
It stays unknown whether or not Apple will proceed to make use of the additional title conference for macOS, or get rid of that and the compulsory WWDC operating joke as a part of the replace.
Whereas the sudden bounce in quantity could appear unsettling presently, it is nonetheless nowhere close to as complicated as Microsoft’s Home windows naming technique.
After variations 1, 2, and three, Microsoft briefly jumped to a year-based system for 95, 98, 2000, and Me, earlier than XP and Vista. After that got here Home windows 7 and eight, after which 9 was skipped in favor of Home windows 10 and 11.
