Apple is changing how it labels its operating systems — and this time, it’s ditching the messy version mix-up for a simpler, year-based system. The announcement came during the tech giant’s keynote session at its ongoing Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where it revealed the shift would take effect immediately across all its major platforms.
Instead of the usual confusion around iOS 18 appearing alongside watchOS 11 and visionOS 2, Apple is bringing them into alignment. Starting this year, every OS will carry the number 26, signifying its intended rollout year — 2026. This includes iOS 26 for iPhones, iPadOS 26 for tablets, macOS Tahoe 26 for computers, and watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS 26 for the rest of Apple’s ecosystem.
The new approach aims to streamline Apple’s updates and make it easier for users to identify the most current versions of its software. “This change makes versioning more transparent and intuitive for users across all Apple devices,” an Apple spokesperson said during the presentation.
The move isn’t entirely unexpected. Bloomberg had hinted at a naming shake-up as early as May, citing sources familiar with Apple’s plans. Now that it’s official, the unified versioning could help developers and consumers alike, especially as the Apple ecosystem continues to expand.
By assigning each OS the same version number tied to the year, Apple eliminates the need to memorise different update levels for different products. It’s a small but impactful change in an era where clarity is becoming a premium in tech communications.
The announcement is one of many unveiled at WWDC 2025, which runs all week and is expected to showcase further software enhancements and AI integrations across Apple devices.
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