Apple has made a significant change to how it names its operating systems, shifting from version-based numbering to a unified year-based system.
The update, announced during the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), means all of Apple’s OS platforms — iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS — will now carry the same version number: 26. The change is aimed at simplifying the user experience by making it easier to know whether a device is running the latest software.
This year’s upcoming iPhone software update, iOS 26, marks the beginning of this new approach. Previously expected to be called iOS 19, the jump in numbering aligns the iPhone’s operating system with macOS, now called macOS Tahoe 26, and the rest of Apple’s platforms. This unified numbering will roll forward each year, taking the guesswork out of software updates across the Apple ecosystem.
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A New Visual Language: “Liquid Glass”
The biggest change coming with iOS 26 is a new design language called “Liquid Glass.” Inspired by the visionOS interface designed for the Vision Pro headset, Liquid Glass introduces translucent UI elements that mimic the behavior of real-world glass. Apple says the redesign uses real-time rendering to create fluid reactions to movement, including highlights and color shifts, giving apps, buttons, sliders, the Control Center, and even the homescreen a more dynamic and immersive feel.
Tabs in apps now shrink and expand as users scroll, and the new visual styling touches nearly every part of the interface, creating a more unified look across devices.
Upgrades to Messages for Group Chats
Apple is also bringing long-overdue enhancements to its Messages app, especially for group conversations. iOS 26 will let users customize chat backgrounds to personalize threads, introduce polls to streamline group decision-making, and finally add typing indicators for group chats — a feature that should bring conversations to life and reduce awkward overlaps in responses.
Phone App Gets Smarter with AI Features
Taking cues from competitors, Apple is building more intelligence into the Phone app. A new call screening feature will allow users to filter spam or unwanted calls. Meanwhile, a “Hold Assist” feature can stay on the line for you during long hold times, letting you step away until a real person answers.
Apple is also introducing a unified layout in the Phone app, combining Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails into a single streamlined view.
Live Translation for Real-Time Multilingual Conversations
One of the most ambitious new features is Live Translation, which will let users translate conversations during phone calls in real-time. Built into Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, the feature relies on Apple Intelligence — the company’s on-device AI framework — to translate both text and spoken language on the fly. Apple emphasized that these translations happen entirely on-device, maintaining user privacy.
Small but Notable Apple Intelligence Enhancements
While Apple’s broader Siri upgrade is still pending, iOS 26 will introduce smaller Apple Intelligence-powered features. “Visual Intelligence” will allow users to identify and take action on items shown on their screen. “Genmoji” lets users blend two emojis into a custom hybrid. And Apple’s Shortcuts app will benefit from smarter automation through AI-powered workflow enhancements.
A New Games App
With iOS 26, Apple is also launching a dedicated Games app. It serves as a central hub for everything related to gaming on the iPhone. The Home tab tracks updates and events in your games. Apple Arcade has its own section, while the Library collects every game you’ve ever downloaded from the App Store. A Play Together tab shows what friends are playing, encouraging multiplayer engagement.
Public Beta Coming in July
The full version of iOS 26 is expected to be released in the fall alongside new iPhone models. For those eager to test it early, a developer beta is already available, with a public beta set to roll out in July.
Apple’s decision to simplify its naming scheme while introducing a bold new look and intelligent features points to a larger push toward ecosystem consistency and AI integration. With iOS 26, the company isn’t just updating software — it’s rethinking how its users interact across every Apple device.