Apple Plans Year-Based Naming for Future Software Updates

Apple is reportedly preparing a major shift in how it names its software updates, moving away from sequential numbering to a year-based system. Instead of continuing with iOS 19 following iOS 18, the company plans to jump to iOS 26 in 2025, reflecting the last two digits of the upcoming year.

This approach is reminiscent of naming conventions used in the automotive industry, such as the '57 Chevy, and software giants like Microsoft and Samsung, who have adopted year-based naming to enhance clarity and brand consistency.

Currently, Apple’s operating systems have disparate version numbers because they launched at different times—iOS 18, WatchOS 12, MacOS 15, and VisionOS 2. This inconsistency can confuse users and developers alike.

By aligning all OS versions to the year of release—iPadOS 26, MacOS 26, WatchOS 26, TVOS 26, and VisionOS 26—Apple hopes to simplify its branding and create a more cohesive ecosystem experience.

Interestingly, this change does not appear to affect iPhone model naming, which remains sequential with iPhone 16 and the upcoming iPhone 17 expected in 2025.

Apple is expected to officially announce this naming strategy and unveil more unified user interfaces across its devices at the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9, signaling a new era of streamlined software branding.

Why Year-Based Naming Matters

For developers and users, consistent naming reduces confusion about compatibility and update timelines. Imagine trying to support apps across multiple OS versions with non-aligned numbering—it's like juggling different languages in the same conversation.

Year-based naming also helps marketing teams communicate the freshness and relevance of software updates, tying releases directly to the calendar year, which users intuitively understand.

Broader Industry Trends

Apple’s move aligns with broader industry trends where companies like Microsoft and Samsung have adopted year-based naming for their software and devices. This shift reflects a growing emphasis on clarity, user experience, and brand cohesion in a crowded tech landscape.

As software ecosystems grow more complex, such straightforward naming conventions could become the norm, helping everyone from developers to end-users navigate updates with ease.