Apple Announces iOS 26 & macOS 26: Major OS Rebrand at WWDC

Apple Unveils New Operating System Naming Convention

A significant alteration to its operating system naming strategy was revealed by Apple during the WWDC 2025 event held on Monday.

Shift to Year-Based Naming

Departing from the traditional practice of utilizing system names such as iOS 19 and macOS 19, the company will now incorporate the year into the naming scheme.

Consequently, all of Apple’s operating systems will be designated as iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.

Rationale Behind the Change

The primary objective of this revised naming system is to enhance clarity and consistency across all of its platforms.

This adjustment is intended not only to streamline the naming procedure but also to mirror the approaches adopted by competitors like Samsung and Microsoft.

This alignment will facilitate easier comprehension and identification of the most recent updates for users.

Additional WWDC Announcements

The operating system name changes were presented alongside a series of other announcements at WWDC.

A comprehensive design overhaul was showcased, introducing a new aesthetic termed “Liquid Glass,” characterized by a transparent interface.

Significant Design Redesign

This redesign represents the most substantial visual update since iOS 7 and has emerged as the most prominent change announced thus far.

The “Liquid Glass” design is expected to significantly alter the user experience across Apple’s devices.