Apple wants to standardize version numbers across devices

Watchos 12, iOS 18.5, MacOS 15.5-it is not easy for users to see whether the version number of the various Apple operating systems has been up to date or long ago. Apple should therefore plan to standardize the version names across the device limits by using the year as the main component in the future. This is what the BLOOMBERG Economic Intelligence Department wants to have experienced from initiates who want to remain unnamed.

The next major release of the iPhone operating system iOS, which is expected for autumn, could not wear version number 19, but 26-what should stand for 2026. MacOS, Watchos and everyone else should also make a jump to version 26 with the next big release. There is no official confirmation on the part of Apple yet, possibly the change will only be on the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference WWDC25 announced, which takes place from June 9th to 13th.

The big differences in the current version numbers are historically justified in the fact that the development began at different times and that the operating systems of the various devices rarely have a common ancestors. While iPados was only disconnected from the then current iPhone operating system iOS 12 in 2019 and therefore iOS and iPados mostly have the same version numbers, the development of Watchos for Apple’s smartwatches in 2015 was newly started. At the time, MacOS was already wearing version number 10.11. By using a year as the main component of the version number, users could easily recognize whether they work with a still (halfway) current or a completely outdated operating system version.