Apple WWDC 2025 Set for June 9: iOS 26 Expected to Replace iOS 19 in Major Rebranding Shift

Apple has officially announced that the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 will begin on June 9, 2025. The highly anticipated event is expected to feature major software updates, including the unveiling of iOS 19, which might instead be rebranded as iOS 26 in a bold new naming strategy.

Apple to Rebrand iOS 19 as iOS 26

According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing to transition from its traditional iteration-based OS naming to a year-based naming convention. This means that iOS 19 is likely to be renamed iOS 26, aligning with the upcoming calendar year, rather than continuing sequential version numbers.

Similarly, other Apple operating systems will follow suit:

• iPadOS 19 becomes iPadOS 26

• macOS 16 could be branded as macOS 26

• watchOS, tvOS, and others are also expected to adopt the new naming system

Why Apple is Changing the OS Naming Strategy

The shift is aimed at creating consistency across Apple’s ecosystem and eliminating confusion for consumers and developers. Apple hopes that the new year-based naming format will make it easier for users to identify the latest software versions at a glance.

This change comes as Apple continues to enhance branding and streamline user experience across devices. Notably, the Apple Vision Pro already runs on visionOS 2, a separate firmware designed for the new mixed-reality headset.

What to Expect at WWDC 2025

Apple is expected to unveil a range of software updates during the WWDC 2025 keynote, including:

• iOS 26 (formerly iOS 19) for iPhone

• iPadOS 26 for iPad

• macOS 26 for Mac devices

• watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS updates

These announcements will highlight new features, improved integrations, and developer tools that will shape the future of the Apple ecosystem.

Stay tuned as WWDC 2025 begins on June 9, bringing with it Apple’s biggest software reveals of the year.