macOS 26 is set to be Apple’s forthcoming operating system for Mac devices. It is anticipated to be unveiled at the WWDC 2025 keynote prior to a public release in the fall. Apple is expected to enhance its Apple Intelligence capabilities, as it still lags behind competitors like Google, OpenAI, and others. Here’s all the essential information regarding the incoming macOS 26 operating system update.
Wait, macOS 26?
For the first occasion since OS X, Apple intends to modify the name of the Mac operating system. While it is still expected to retain the name macOS, Apple may adopt a strategy similar to Microsoft by designating it macOS 26 instead of the previously anticipated macOS 19.
As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, macOS 26 will be the succeeding version of macOS as Apple starts to categorize software updates by the forthcoming year (much like the model year of a new vehicle). Other OS updates from Apple will reportedly adhere to this naming practice.
Gurman clarifies that the goal is “to provide uniformity to its branding and move away from a method that can confuse customers and developers.” All software updates from Apple to this point have been titled sequentially based on their initial release date. Consequently, iOS 18 debuted simultaneously with watchOS 12, macOS 15, and visionOS 2. Moving forward, they will all be synchronized, much to the satisfaction of users and developers alike.
Nevertheless, this macOS 26 rebranding implies that Apple is sidestepping the AI competition rather than spearheading it.
Is Apple still assigning a name to macOS 26?
There were earlier speculations that Apple was preparing macOS Mammoth, as the Cupertino firm sought a trademark extension for this name back in 2021.
Mammoth was rumored for 2021 when Apple revealed Monterey, and once more in 2022. For 2025, it remains uncertain what moniker Apple will select for macOS 26. Internally, the software is referred to as Cheer.
With this latest macOS 26 naming speculation, it seems Apple may be moving away from Californian names for its operating system.
When will Apple reveal macOS 26?
If Apple adheres to its usual pattern, it should unveil macOS 26 during the WWDC 2025 keynote. The Worldwide Developers Conference is scheduled to occur from June 9 to June 13. While it was previously hosted at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in California, WWDC transitioned to a pre-recorded video format when the pandemic began. Currently, the company also invites media and developers to view it from the Apple Park campus in Cupertino.
Release date
macOS 26 is anticipated to launch in September 2025. Apple customarily states that the new system update will be accessible “in the fall.” However, in recent years, the company has released Mac software updates in late September.
Some speculations suggest that Apple may not launch all major macOS 26 features simultaneously due to delays linked to Apple Intelligence. In fact, the most compelling features may not materialize until the early half of 2026.
Rumored macOS 26 features
Thus far, the primary rumored features are centered around the enhancement of Apple Intelligence and a significant redesign. Here’s what information we have:
A significant redesign is on the way
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reports that macOS 26 “will fundamentally alter the appearance of the operating systems and align Apple’s diverse software platforms more closely.” According to the journalist, Apple will standardize the aesthetics of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS to offer a more intuitive experience across the platform. This is likely why the company might transition to macOS 26 instead of 16.
Apple is set to modify the look of icons, menus, applications, windows, and system buttons. This is expected to be the most substantial redesign for the iPhone since iOS 7 and for the Mac since Big Sur. The primary aim behind these design transformations is to foster greater cohesion among Apple’s varied operating systems.
Moreover, in January, Front Page Tech indicated that iOS 26 might undergo a redesign influenced by visionOS, particularly the Camera app. With multiple layers of interaction, some have posited that Apple may need to simplify the Camera app again, and redesigning it with aspects of visionOS UI may enhance its accessibility for the everyday user.
Then, in April, John Prosser presented a glimpse of what he believes will be Apple’s iOS 26 redesign, following Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman noting that the leaked images were “based on either very old builds or vague descriptions.”
Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser asserts that Gurman’s post actually motivated him to revisit and scrutinize the leaked iOS 26 build. Upon doing so, he noticed that activating icons altered their shape. The icons began to appear more rounded, akin to the style of the apps on visionOS, although not quite a perfect circle. Other
