Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment Switch 2 Pre-Orders Best laptops Best Mattress Wordle Today Recommended reading iOS 19 just tipped for 'most dramatic overhaul' in Apple's history iOS 19's big redesign is tipped to bring a whole new look and unite all of Apple's devices — and pave the way for a foldable iPhone WWDC 2025 — watchOS 12 and tvOS 19 both just tipped for major redesign We’re just weeks away from an iOS 19 preview — these are the 5 rumored changes I’m looking forward to Apple WWDC 2025: iOS 19 and everything we know so far 5 biggest iOS 19 rumors — here’s how Apple could transform your iPhone iOS 19’s massive redesign just teased in new video — but some doubt its accuracy Forget iOS 19 — Apple may change the name of its upcoming iPhone software update Scott Younker 28 May 2025 And that goes for other Apple software, too When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Shutterstock / Tom's Guide) When Apple opens up its WWDC 2025 developers conference in a couple of weeks, we expect to see an interface overhaul of all the software that controls its phones, computers, tablets and wearables. And it may not just be the look of the software that's changing. Along with aesthetic changes, Apple will reportedly rebrand its many operating systems, in an effort to have consistent names across its lineup. That comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who is reporting that Apple wants to switch to year-based names. That means the iPhone software update we were expecting to be called iOS 19 would instead go by iOS 26 — as in 2026. The rest of Apple's software — iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS 26 and visionOS 26 — would follow the same pattern. You may like iOS 19 just tipped for 'most dramatic overhaul' in Apple's history iOS 19's big redesign is tipped to bring a whole new look and unite all of Apple's devices — and pave the way for a foldable iPhone WWDC 2025 — watchOS 12 and tvOS 19 both just tipped for major redesign The name changes would accompany a more unified approach to the interfaces of Apple's software. Codenamed Solarium, the refresh is expected to introduce more translucent panels and rounded icons, taking its cues from visionOS on Apple's Vision Pro headset. The idea behind the common look is to deliver a more unified experience across different Apple devices. And that same thinking apparently applies to what the software should be called, too. Currently, the various OSes all have different version numbers — iOS 18, macOS 15 and watchOS 12, to name a few. Under the new system, you wouldn't have to remember what version number a particular OS was on — you'd just have to refer to the year. The potential rebrand is reminiscent of a similar move rival Samsung made in 2020 when it change the Galaxy S line to a launch year naming convention with the Galaxy S20 series. The previous year's devices were the Galaxy S10, the 10th generation of Galaxy S phones. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. The difference here though is that Apple is using the upcoming year, rather than the launch year. Despite its new operating systems likely launching in September around the release of the iPhone 17, they'll be named for 2026, similar to how car companies label the latest iterations of their vehicles which also tend to launch in the fall. Gurman has a good track record of reporting on Apple developments, so we're inclined to believe that this will be the case in a couple of weeks. That said, Apple has declined to comment on the name change, and allegedly the plan is still in the works. We'll know more about Solarium and the rebranded OSes starting June 9 when Apple has set WWDC 2025 to take place. It should be one of the most important WWDCs in over a decade. 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You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. iOS 19 just tipped for 'most dramatic overhaul' in Apple's history iOS 19's big redesign is tipped to bring a whole new look and unite all of Apple's devices — and pave the way for a foldable iPhone WWDC 2025 — watchOS 12 and tvOS 19 both just tipped for major redesign We’re just weeks away from an iOS 19 preview — these are the 5 rumored changes I’m looking forward to Apple WWDC 2025: iOS 19 and everything we know so far 5 biggest iOS 19 rumors — here’s how Apple could transform your iPhone Latest in iPhones iPhone 17 Pro Max just shown off in hands-on video — and there's a big design trade-off iPhone's satellite connectivity could be in trouble — here's why Qualcomm-funded study shows that Apple's C1 modem is slower — but there's a catch iOS 19 could take all the pain out of transferring an eSIM to Android — here's how Apple could announce new dedicated gaming app at WWDC 2025 — here’s what we know Apple's 'Solarium' UI for iOS 19 is about to bring the biggest design change to iPhones in over a decade Latest in News Nvidia's rumored gaming laptop APU just spotted in new leak — what we know iPhone 17 Pro Max just shown off in hands-on video — and there's a big design trade-off Anker's new Soundcore P41i earbud case will charge more than just your earbuds How to watch 'Contact in the Desert' online – live stream UFO conference from anywhere TCL launches QM8K Mini-LED TV with 144Hz refresh rate, Atmos FlexConnect and powerful B&O sound system Google is celebrating Google Photos' 10th anniversary with improved editing and new ways to share — here’s what’s coming LATEST ARTICLES Avast Premium antivirus review Amazon's biggest Carhartt sale just went live — 15 deals you can't miss Nvidia's rumored gaming laptop APU just spotted in new leak — what we know iPhone 17 Pro Max just shown off in hands-on video — and there's a big design trade-off Emma Hybrid Airgrid mattress review 2025: Cooling comfort for side sleepers Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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