Apple is preparing to implement the most significant change to its operating system naming strategy in the company's history, according to multiple industry sources ahead of WWDC 2025.
At the conference beginning June 9, Apple will unveil a unified year-based naming system across all its platforms. Instead of the expected iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16, tvOS 19, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3, all operating systems will adopt the number 26, representing the upcoming year 2026.
The shift aims to eliminate confusion caused by inconsistent version numbers that resulted from different release timelines. "The number that comes after the operating system name will reflect the upcoming season," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, similar to how car manufacturers name their models.
This naming change will accompany what's being described as Apple's most comprehensive visual redesign since iOS 7 in 2013. Codenamed "Solarium," the new interface will draw heavy inspiration from visionOS, featuring translucent, glass-like elements that create a frosted appearance across menus and windows. Users can expect more rounded app icons, redesigned tab views, and simplified navigation hierarchies.
The redesign represents Apple's effort to create a more cohesive experience across its ecosystem. "If executed well, jumping from iPhone to iPad to Mac (and so on) will feel like touring different flavors of the same OS," according to Engadget.
Beyond visual changes, Apple is expected to announce several Apple Intelligence enhancements, including an AI-powered battery management system that analyzes device usage patterns to optimize power consumption. Additional rumored features include expanded developer tools for integrating Apple Intelligence into third-party apps and AI-powered health coaching capabilities.
Apple will preview these updates during its WWDC keynote on June 9, with developer betas available immediately afterward. Public betas are expected in July, with final releases likely in September alongside new iPhone models.