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The 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference is just a few days away, with the keynote event set to take place on Monday, June 9. Ahead of Apple's big software debut, we've rounded up all of the rumors that we've heard so far about iOS 26, macOS 26, and Apple's other updates.
A Note on Naming
Apple is streamlining the way that it numbers operating system updates, so all of the software will be appended with a "26" instead of the number that would normally be expected in Apple's prior versioning scheme.
- iOS 19 -> iOS 26
- iPadOS 19 -> iPadOS 26
- macOS 16 -> macOS 26
- tvOS 19 -> tvOS 26
- watchOS 12 -> watchOS 26
- visionOS 3 -> visionOS 26
The "26" used for each time reflects the launch season for each update, covering the period between September 2025 and September 2026. Apple is using year-ahead numbering going forward, so in September 2026, we'll get iOS 27.
Apple could have gone with the year of launch, which would be 25, but 26 also makes sense because there are more months in 2026 where we'll be running iOS 26 and its sister updates than in 2025.
With the streamlined naming that Apple is implementing, there won't be a need to remember separate numbers for each operating system, and it'll be clear which update came out in which year.
iOS 26
iOS 26 is going to get a
major design overhaul that's been described as the biggest design update since iOS 7. Inside Apple, the design project is referred to as "Solarium," which hints at what we can expect. A solarium is an all-glass room that's designed to let in sunlight, and rumors suggest that iOS 26 will adopt a more translucent, glass-inspired aesthetic that's loosely based on visionOS.
visionOS uses a semi-translucent interface to allow people to see their surroundings in AR or VR while also interacting with app menus and windows. visionOS windows blend into the background for an unobtrusive look, and on the iPhone, Apple could adopt the same translucency, allowing content to shine through.
iOS 26 is expected to get the floating on-screen windows and menus that are used in visionOS, with rounded pop-up navigation and menu bars that float above the content on the display. Apple may use shading, shadowing, and subtle lighting effects to give buttons and other interface elements a slight lift. Widgets on the Lock Screen and Home Screen will adopt the new design, but functionality won't change.
App icons could see design tweaks, and notifications, menus in apps, search bars, card-style interfaces, and other parts of the iOS user interface could have more rounded corners than we're used to. The floating navigation bars are expected to be pill-shaped, for example, and Apple is going to use pop-out menu options to allow users to expand settings with a tap. One rumor suggested Apple is going to transition to
round app icons on iPhone, but
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that the icons are going to
keep the same general shape.
iOS 26 has been described as having a glossy or glass-like look, which is also how visionOS looks. Apple's WWDC 2025 teaser images feature frosted glass with soft colors, and those images might give us a look at what's coming.
Mockups that are allegedly based on real iOS 26 designs were shared earlier this year
by Front Page Tech, demonstrating some of the design changes that might be in store. A mockup of the Camera app has translucent pop-out menus that better blend into the background to put the focus on the images, for example.
A render of iOS 26's alleged redesigned Camera app, from Front Page Tech
Newer Apple apps like Apple Sports and Invites have simpler, translucent interface elements with expanding buttons, and could also serve as an example of the design language Apple is planning to unveil in iOS 26.
Apple will overhaul its built-in apps with the updated design, plus the company plans to provide developers with design guidelines and assets so that third-party apps can adopt the new aesthetic too.
Navigation Simplification and Streamlining
Along with introducing new design language in iOS 26, Apple is streamlining navigation. Rumors suggest that Apple is tweaking menus, buttons, and navigation to make the operating system simpler to learn and navigate.
Some of the design and interface changes will also extend to macOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS, improving design consistency and navigation across Apple's operating systems.
Apple Intelligence Features
There are several new Apple Intelligence features that are expected in iOS 26.
AI Battery Management
An AI-powered
battery management tool will analyze how you use your iPhone and make adjustments to maximize battery life. The option will be able to limit the power draw of apps and other system features based on device usage.
Battery management will be particularly useful for the iPhone 17 Air that will have a smaller battery than other iPhones, but it will be available on iPhones that are able to run iOS 26. It's not clear if Apple will announce the AI battery feature at WWDC 2025, as it could be held until the iPhone 17 Air debut later in the year.
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WWDC 2025 Preview: Apple's iOS 26 Design Overhaul, macOS Tahoe, and Much More
