Apple Simplifies OS Names by Syncing Them with Release Years

Apple is making things a lot easier for users by changing how it names its operating systems. Instead of different version numbers across its devices, the tech giant is switching to a more unified and year-based naming system.

Starting with the upcoming updates, iPhones will get iOS 26, iPads will run iPadOS 26, and Macs will receive macOS Tahoe 26. Other devices are following the same pattern: watchOS 26 for Apple Watches, tvOS 26 for Apple TV, and visionOS 26 for Apple’s mixed reality headset. The "26" here refers to 2026, the year these updates are set to be released.

This move isn’t just cosmetic. Previously, Apple’s operating systems had confusing version numbers that didn’t match up. For example, iOS 18 was released alongside watchOS 11 and visionOS 2. It made it harder for users to know if their devices were up to date. With the new system, all software will share the same version number every year, making things simpler and more consistent.

The announcement was made during Apple’s keynote at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), a big event where developers and fans alike tune in for the latest Apple news. While the change had already been rumored in May through Bloomberg, Apple made it official at WWDC.

This fresh approach to naming could be a small shift, but it shows Apple’s focus on making the user experience smoother, even in the smallest details.