Apple’s update calendar: When will the next versions be expected

After the update, before the update: Apple has already sent the X.1 versions of iOS 26, MacOS 26 and the other Apple operating systems to the beta test for developers. The iPhone manufacturer apparently follows the update pattern of recent years. And that, as an analysis has now worked out, this allows conclusions to be drawn about the months in which further updates can be expected. That was not always the case: Mac updates appeared long later than new versions for iPhone and iPad.

The Mac blog “The Eclectic Light Company” Mac & i author Howard Oakley took a closer look at the appearance data of the MacOS versions in 2023 and 2024. MacOS 14 “SONOMA” and MACOS 15 “Sequoia” showed clear parallels in the release dates, which now seem to continue in MacOS 26 “Tahoe” with the release date in September and the release of the first development beta for MacOS 26.1.

MacOS 26.1 on October 27th?

If it were up to Apple’s previous pattern, the publication of the finished MacOS version 26.1 would be expected on October 27. The 26.2 could then follow on December 15th. In the new year, January 26, 2026 (MacOS 26.3), March 30, 2026 (26.4), May 11, 2026 (26.5), July 27, 2026 (26.6) and September 14, 2026 (26.7). Release candidates of the updates appear at point releases experience has shown that a week before the final version appear.

Since MacOS is now on a similar timeline as iOS, iOS 26.1, iOS 26.2 & Co. can also be expected in the said time windows, i.e. at the end of October and shortly before Christmas in mid -December. A special feature of iOS is that more often smaller updates between the larger versions can be observed that take up current security problems, for example iOS 26.0.1. It remains unclear how the iPhone publications expected in the rumor kitchen influence the update dates in spring 2026.