get ready for iOS 26

Summary

Apple’s operating systems are reportedly getting a new look and name change to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and more.
iOS 26 might borrow transparent design elements from visionOS, alongside new icons, and adaptive, AI-powered battery management.
Don’t expect to see the iPhone 17 Air or Mac Pro at WWDC 2026. It’s also likely we won’t hear much about Siri or Apple Intelligence.

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference for 2025 (WWDC25) is just around the corner. While this year is expected to be a far more low-key event, the majority of the tech giant’s operating systems — including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS — could get a significant visual revamp alongside a somewhat surprising name change.

For those interested in watching WWDC 2025’s keynote live, you can stream it on YouTube or directly on Apple’s website at 1PM ET/10AM PT on June 9th.

If this iPhone 17 Air rumor is true, Apple is making a huge mistake

The iPhone 17 Air might have a 120Hz display, but not have ProMotion, which is just as baffling as it sounds.

Say hello to iOS 26, ipadOS 26, watchOS 26, and more

Apple’s operating systems are getting a new name and a visual overhaul

Rumors courtesy of Bloomberg’s nearly always reliable Mark Gurman point to a substantial overhaul of iOS that draws inspiration from the glass-like look of visionOS, the operating system that powers Apple’s beleaguered mixed reality headset, the Vision Pro. The return of Windows Aero that I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived, just not in the way that I expected.

Along with the new transparent look, a report from Front Page Tech’s Jon Prosser hints that almost rounded icons could be coming to the mobile OS’ home screen and Control Center. Other more subtle changes are on the way, too, including a new tab view in apps, and the Messages search box location shifting.

While not a lot of specifics have leaked, it’s expected that all of Apple’s operating systems, including iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and more, will adopt this new look in an effort to unify their design language. It will be interesting to see how quickly third-party developers adapt to this aesthetic shift, because if it isn’t picked up quickly, it’ll lead to a disjointed visual experience. Remember when Apple ditched the home button with the iPhone X and not all third-party apps immediately supported the swipe gesture in their UI? iOS 11 was a mess on the phone for the first few months.

It also looks like Apple could be working on a dedicated gaming app to replace its Game Center platform across all of its platforms.

On top of the visual refresh, Apple is rumored to be changing the naming scheme of its operating systems. Instead of iOS 19, we’ll be getting iOS 26, alongside iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and more. macOS will likely still receive a California-themed name as well (rumors point to Tahoe), but my guess is it will also be known as macOS 26.

Beyond the new look and name refresh, details are sparse on potential new features across Apple’s operating systems. That said, Bloomberg reports that a new AI-powered battery management mode is coming to iOS 26. This feature will reportedly make power-saving adjustments based on how you use your smartphone. As far as AI-powered features go, this has the potential to be pretty useful if it works well. It also looks like Apple could be working on a dedicated gaming app to replace its Game Center platform across all of its platforms.

WWDC 2025 could be light on AI as Apple hones in on iOS 26

Don’t expect to hear a lot about Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2025 next week.

Where’s that more personalized Siri we were promised?

We’re still waiting, Apple

The more personalized Siri Apple promised at WWDC 2024 still hasn’t arrived, and it’s been months since the tech giant told Daring Fireball that “It’s going to take us longer than we thought” to release the upgraded assistant.

Will we hear more about Apple’s fancy AI-powered Siri at this year’s WWDC? If The Information’s latest report is accurate, probably not, as the project is reportedly still nowhere near ready. That said, Bloomberg reports that we’ll see a few more subtle Siri updates, including the ability to use Gemini instead of ChatGPT with the assistant. New Apple Intelligence AI features are on the way, though, including blending two Genmoji (I’m not sure why anyone would want to do that) and built-in live translation for calls and texts.

Apple says the majority of compatible iPhones are running iOS 18

Ahead of WWDC 2025, Apple has confirmed that the majority of compatible iPhones are running the latest version of its mobile OS.

What won’t we see at WWDC?

The rumored iPhone 17 Air or Mac Pro

While Apple has revealed hardware at WWDC keynotes in the past to give the developer event a consumer angle, that probably won’t be the case this year.

That means we won’t catch a glimpse of the often-rumored, super-thin iPhone 17 Air or the refreshed Mac Pro, which is overdue for an update. It’s likely we’ll hear more about the Mac Pro later this summer and that the iPhone 17 Air will be part of Apple’s big fall hardware keynote.