Apple Reportedly Skips iOS 19 and Jumps Straight to iOS 26

Apple Reportedly Ditching iOS 19 for iOS 26 in Bold Naming Overhaul

Key Insight:
In an unexpected twist, Apple is rumored to leapfrog several iOS versions and debut iOS 26 in 2025, skipping over iOS 19 entirely. And that’s not all—macOS, iPadOS, and even visionOS are reportedly following suit.

What’s Changing?

According to trusted Bloomberg tech journalist Mark Gurman, Apple is planning a massive renaming strategy across its entire OS ecosystem. Instead of sticking with sequential numbering, Apple will reportedly align its software version names with calendar years—plus one. That means:

• iOS 19 ➝ iOS 26
• iPadOS 19 ➝ iPadOS 26
• macOS 16 ➝ macOS 26
• visionOS 2 ➝ visionOS 26

Why the leap? Apple wants a cleaner, more unified branding experience across devices—and to match product naming with model years, similar to what car manufacturers (and Samsung) do.

WWDC 2025: The Big Reveal

Apple is expected to explain this major branding shift at WWDC 2025, scheduled for June 9. The update will reportedly usher in a radical UI redesign featuring:

• Rounded “bubble” app icons across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
• A more cohesive design language for the entire Apple ecosystem
• A possible push toward a more Mac-like iPad experience, ideal for multitasking

If all goes according to plan, we’ll see this new OS lineup debut alongside the iPhone 17 series in September, including a chunkier iPhone 17 Pro Max and the featherweight iPhone 17 Air.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about numbers. It signals Apple is:

• Doubling down on ecosystem unification
• Likely preparing for more cross-device features, particularly with AI and Siri
• Attempting to simplify version tracking for casual users by aligning updates with release years

But let’s be honest: it’s also confusing. Jumping from iOS 18 to iOS 26 overnight could throw off users unfamiliar with the reasoning—especially since the number reflects the year after the launch.

iPad Finally Becoming a Real Computer?

A long-time criticism of iPadOS has been its lackluster multitasking support. Despite powerful M-series chips and redesigned Magic Keyboards, the iPad still feels more like an oversized iPhone than a productivity machine.

Apple’s new OS revamp could finally fix that, bringing floating windows, better app placement freedom, and a UI that acts more like macOS. If true, this could make the latest iPad Pro and Air far more appealing to power users.

What Else Could Be Coming?

• Live translation via AirPods + Siri
• More AI integrations, possibly opening the door to platforms like OpenAI and Anthropic
• A renewed push into Apple Intelligence, Apple’s take on ambient AI, with potential third-party partnerships
• Apple will reportedly rebrand its OS names to match the next calendar year—iOS 26 instead of iOS 19.
• iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS will also jump ahead to version 26.
• The redesign may bring more uniform interfaces, rounded icons, and enhanced multitasking.
• Expect the official announcement at WWDC 2025 on June 9, with release in September alongside the iPhone 17 lineup.

Conclusion:
Apple’s rumored jump from iOS 19 to iOS 26 isn’t just about numbers—it’s a statement. The company wants to simplify, unify, and modernize its software experience across devices. Whether the redesign delivers on usability or just marketing remains to be seen, but WWDC 2025 will be a keynote worth watching.

???? Would you prefer Apple stick to tradition—or are you ready for iOS 26? Let us know in the comments!