Apple is reportedly gearing up for a major rebrand of its operating systems in 2025. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple might skip iOS 19 altogether and jump straight to iOS 26. This signals a broad rebrand effort that will impact every Apple platform.
Currently, Apple’s naming conventions lack consistency across devices—iPhones run iOS 18, Macs are on macOS 15, and Vision Pro uses visionOS 2. This inconsistency often confuses users and developers alike. The upcoming rebrand could solve this by aligning all OS names with their release year.
If the report holds true, every 2025 software version—from iOS and macOS to watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS—would carry the “26” label. This unified approach would create a simpler, more intuitive naming system across Apple’s ecosystem.
Apple’s only major OS rebrand so far was in 2010 when it changed iPhone OS to iOS, a name that has lasted for 14 years. Now, the company seems ready for another significant shift.
Interestingly, Microsoft has taken a somewhat similar path in the past—starting with names like Windows 95 and later adopting version numbers such as Windows 10 and 11. Apple may be moving in the opposite direction by labeling software by year.
Year-based naming makes it easier to understand updates and set clear expectations for release timelines. Users and developers can track changes and compatibility more effectively year by year.
Along with this rebrand, Apple may also introduce a fresh visual redesign. Early leaks hint at a major interface overhaul debuting alongside the new naming scheme.
With WWDC 2025 fast approaching, Apple could soon confirm this bold rebrand strategy. If so, it will mark a pivotal moment in the history of Apple software, signaling a new era for both developers and fans.
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