Apple is making a visible change that affects more than just iPhones. Instead of the expected next software generation called iOS 19, it will be iOS 26. This new name seems surprising at first glance, but it follows a clear plan. The details come from several reputable sources – including Mark Gurman (Bloomberg) and Marko Zivkovic (AppleInsider). Learn more about the new numbering system and what it means for you here.
Apple apparently plans to align the version numbers of its operating systems with the release year. This means that the next major iOS version, which was originally supposed to be called iOS 19, will now be announced as iOS 26. This was reported by Mark Gurman, a usually well-informed journalist at Bloomberg. The new numbering will be introduced uniformly across all major Apple systems – including macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The official presentation of these updates is expected at WWDC 2025.
iOS 26 instead of iOS 19: What's behind the change?
Until now, Apple has simply numbered its operating systems: The next iOS version would have been the 19th. But Gurman reports that Apple is now taking a new approach. Similar to cars, the software release will be named after the year in which it is primarily used. iOS 26 is expected to be released in September 2025, but will run on devices for much of 2026—hence the new name. The logic behind it is comparable to the automotive industry. Apple is now adopting this principle for its software products.
The sources: Gurman and Zivkovic
Mark Gurman was the first to publicly announce this change. In his report , he explained that Apple had decided on a clearer, year-based naming strategy. Shortly thereafter, Marko Zivkovic of AppleInsider confirmed this information. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he had independently confirmed that "version 26" is indeed used internally at Apple. Zivkovic also added that current test versions of macOS are still referred to as "macOS 16" in some areas, but as "macOS 26" in others. This suggests that Apple is currently preparing the transition internally.
All systems get new numbers
The change doesn't just affect iOS. All other major Apple platforms are also getting new numbers. According to Gurman, these are the upcoming designations:
- iOS 26 (instead of iOS 19)
- iPadOS 26 (instead of iPadOS 19)
- macOS 26 (instead of macOS 16)
- watchOS 26 (instead of watchOS 12)
- tvOS 26 (instead of tvOS 19)
- visionOS 26 (instead of visionOS 3)
With this, Apple is pursuing a clear approach across its entire ecosystem. The goal: a transparent and uniform structure that's easy to remember and presents product development more consistently.
WWDC 2025: The big moment
Apple will unveil the new operating systems at its WWDC developer conference. The keynote will take place on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Central European Time. Apple is expected to publicly unveil not only iOS 26, but also the new versions of its other platforms for the first time. There will likely be several beta phases before the final release of the systems in fall 2025. If you can't watch the keynote live, you can get all the important information directly and reliably at apfelpatient.de . Also, follow us on Facebook , Instagram , and Threads so you don't miss anything during and after the event—we'll keep you up to date wherever you go.
What's really behind iOS 26
Apple is fundamentally changing its software naming strategy. Instead of continuing to count, as before, the company will now link version numbers to the year of use. This brings a new logic to the system and provides greater clarity – for both users and developers. So, if you hear about iOS 26, macOS 26, or visionOS 26 starting in June, you know: This has nothing to do with a numerical jump, but rather with a new system. (Image: Shutterstock / Viktollio)
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- WWDC 2025: Apple skips iOS 19 and focuses on iOS 26
