Apple’s Big Shakeup: iOS 26, macOS 26, and a Unified Operating System Naming at WWDC 2025

Apple Eases OS Confusion with '26' Branding

Apple usually keeps its fans guessing with version numbers, but at WWDC 2025, they threw a curveball: every major Apple operating system is now called '26.' Whether you're checking your iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple TV, Watch, or even the new Vision Pro headset, it's all the same version. This isn’t just a facelift. It's a direct move to make updates and compatibility easy to follow, just like Samsung and Microsoft do with their annual branding.

In the past, Apple juggled separate version numbers for each platform. That led to compatibility questions and extra complexity for developers juggling updates. Annoying, right? Now with iOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 rolling out together, there's no more confusion about who’s on what update. Everything lines up with the 2026 release, so both users and developers can breathe a little easier.

'Liquid Glass' Design Unifies Apple’s Ecosystem

This isn’t all about the numbers, though. The new 'Liquid Glass' interface redesign is front and center. Expect shimmering, slightly see-through surfaces and animations that feel more connected across devices. Open up your iPhone or Mac and you’ll notice the same clean look and fluid interactions—finally making it feel like all your Apple gadgets are part of one big family.

macOS 26, which Apple still calls 'Tahoe' behind closed doors, sticks with the tradition of naming its releases after real-world places. This nod to Apple’s roots might be a comfort to longtime Mac fans as everything else changes. However, if you’ve got an older Intel Mac, this is the end of the road—Apple’s not sending out any more updates for these devices after the macOS 26/Tahoe cycle wraps.

There’s more to the shift than marketing. Developers now get a single, annual target for features, app compatibility, and bug fixes. That streamlined approach should mean faster rollouts and fewer headaches for everyone involved. For everyday users, it’s as simple as not needing a cheat sheet to figure out if your iPad can run the same apps as your iPhone or Mac.

It’s clear Apple is putting a big bet on making the entire ecosystem easier to understand and use. With iOS 26 and its siblings under one banner, plus a design that ties every product together, the company is aiming for both polish and practicality.