iOS 26 is coming this year

Apple is preparing a major update across all of its operating systems and will roll out version 26 of each OS in 2025.

According to Bloomberg, Apple plans to rename all its operating systems as part of a broader design overhaul expected this year. Going forward, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS will be labeled by year rather than version number. The goal is to unify the naming system across all platforms, which currently don't align numerically.

• So instead of iOS 19, this year’s update will be called iOS 26. Likewise, watchOS 12 will become watchOS 26.
• In 2025, Apple is expected to launch iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.
• Previously, the upcoming versions were expected to be iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16, tvOS 19, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3.

Apple reportedly chose the number 26 because the update will remain relevant across both 2025 and 2026.