Apple is planning a pretty big change in how it names its operating systems. Instead of the usual version numbers, the company will start using a year-based system starting in 2025, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. This means all Apple devices, from iPhones and iPads to Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, and even the upcoming Vision Pro headset, will have their OS named after the following year rather than a simple number.
Apple Year-Based OS Naming: What’s Changing?
Right now, Apple sticks to version numbers like iOS 17 or macOS Ventura. But since different Apple devices often get updates on different schedules, these numbers can feel a bit inconsistent. Gurman says Apple will switch to naming systems based on the upcoming year. So, for example, the OS that comes out late in 2025 won’t be iOS 19 but iOS 26.
This isn’t totally new in tech, other companies have done something similar. Samsung names its phones by the year they launch, and Microsoft famously used year-based names for Windows versions back in the ’90s. Interestingly, Apple has dabbled with year-based names before with software like iWork ’08 and iLife ’11, so it’s sort of a throwback move.
What New Features Can We Expect?
Along with the naming change, Apple plans to roll out some exciting updates across its software:
- iPad gets more Mac-like: Apple wants the iPad to work more like a Mac, making it easier for people to use for office tasks and productivity.
- AI integration for developers: Third-party developers will be able to tap into Apple’s new Apple Intelligence platform, bringing smarter AI features to their apps.
- Better Siri and AirPods: Expect a new live-translation feature to make communication smoother.
- Vision Pro upgrades: The headset will get an eye-scrolling function, improving how you interact with content.
- Health and battery improvements: AI-powered health tools and smarter battery management are in the works.
- Keyboard and Pencil tools: There will be a bidirectional Arabic-English keyboard and a new digital calligraphy pen feature for Apple Pencil users.
- Gaming app: Apple is developing a dedicated app aimed at enhancing gaming on its devices.
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A Fresh, Unified Look Across Devices
On top of all this, Apple will refresh the look of its operating systems to bring the visionOS interface style to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. This unified design should make the experience across all Apple devices feel more seamless and cohesive.
When Will We Hear More?
All these changes are expected to be announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025. The event kicks off on Monday, June 9, with the keynote starting at 10 AM PDT (10:30 PM IST). WWDC is where Apple usually shares major software updates, so it’ll be the perfect place to learn more about this naming overhaul and the new features.
