Navigating the version numbers of Apple’s operating systems, such as Watchos 12, iOS 18.5, and macos 15.5, can be confusing for users trying to determine if their software is up to date. To address this, Apple is reportedly considering standardizing version names across all devices by using the year as the primary identifier, according to the BLOOMBERG Economic Intelligence Department, citing unnamed sources.

The next major iOS release, expected in the fall, might be version 26, representing 2026. macos, Watchos, and other Apple operating systems would also adopt version 26 with their next notable updates. This potential change could be announced at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference WWDC25, scheduled for June 9th to 13th. However, Apple has not yet officially confirmed this.

Historically, the discrepancies in version numbers stem from the self-reliant development timelines and distinct origins of each operating system. Such as, iPados was forked from iOS 12 in 2019, leading to similar version numbers between the two. Meanwhile, Watchos development began with version 1.0 in 2015, while MacOS was already at version 10.11. Standardizing version numbers by year would allow users to quickly assess the currency of their operating systems.