Apple will likely showcase iOS 19 (or will it be called iOS 26?), the next version of its iPhone operating system, at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2025) on June 9.
As well as giving us our first official look at iOS 19 / iOS 26, we expect Apple to also introduce us toiPadOS 19,watchOS 12, andmacOS 16, plus a healthy amount of talk about Apple Intelligence.
This update could prove significant for iPhone owners if the current rumors are true. Here’s what we know know so far, including a report which suggestsiOS 19 might actually be called iOS 26.
Latest iOS 19 / iOS 26 news
Will iOS 19 actually be called iOS 26?
According to prominent Apple tipster Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing a major shake-up to the nomenclature of its operating systems.
Gurman reportsthat Apple will bring all of its operating systems in line with the same numeric handle, relating not to the version number of the software, but the year.
Much like the auto industry and major sporting game franchises, such as Madden and EA Sports FC, Apple will opt for the upcoming full year rather than the year the software is announced.
The result? We could be introduced to iOS 26, rather than iOS 19.
When will iOS 19 / iOS 26 be revealed?
Apple hasannouncedthat this year’s WWDC will kick off with a keynote address on Monday, June 9, starting at 10 am PDT / 1pm EDT.
You can follow ourWWDC 2025 live blogfor all the latest on the from the keynote presentation, and if you want to keep a closer eye on proceedings, here’show to watch the WWDC 2025 keynote.
In previous years, we’ve seen Apple officially unveil the latest generation of iOS during the WWDC keynote – and we expect the Cupertino, California-based firm to continue this trend for iOS 19.
If accurate, it would mean iOS 19 / iOS 26 will be revealed on August 08, 2025 – although you may have to wait until September before it’s officially available to download on your iPhone.
When will iOS 19 / iOS 26 be available?
Last year, iOS 18 was announced at WWDC in June, but didn’t land on iPhones until June 22, 2025.
The first public version of iOS 19 / iOS 26 is expected to be released around the same time as Apple launches itsiPhone 17series in September. Prior to this, beta versions will likely be available for testing following the preview at WWDC.
iOS 19 / iOS 26: expected features
According to Bloombergreports, iOS 19 / iOS 26 will bring “one of the most dramatic software overhauls” in Apple’s history, described as “the biggest revamp since iOS 7” in 2013.
The update will apparently “fundamentally change” the operating system’s look with a redesigned interface that will update “the style of icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons.”
The new design is expected to include more translucent menus and elements similar to those found in visionOS, the software platform for Apple Vision Pro. This design shift seeks to create a more immersive and visually appealing user experience. For example, one leaked screenshot shows a redesigned Camera app that features translucent menus, giving the app a modern look and making it easier to navigate.
Apparently the Phone, Safari and Camera apps are going to see a major revamp, but Apple’s other core iOS apps are only going to get cosmetic updates.
Apple’s also being tipped to bring new pre-installed apps to the new version of iOS, with Previews (a PDF reader and editor) and Games (a hub for games and Arcade) rumored to be announced during the WWDC 2025 keynote.
There has been speculation that Apple would switch the app icons on iOS from squares to circles, to match watchOS and visionOS, but Gurmandoesn’t expect this to happenin iOS 19 / iOS 26.
Additionally, the overall feel of the app may be smoother, with animations that enhance the translucency, creating a seamless and cohesive interaction. This approach aligns with Apple’s previous innovations and reinforces its commitment to enhancing user engagement with its devices.
iOS 19 / iOS 26 is also anticipated to build on the Apple Intelligence features introduced in iOS 18, with significant enhancements aimed at creating a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. One of the standout upgrades will be a “more conversational Siri,” bolstered by advancements in large language models.
This will empower Siri to better understand and execute complex commands, making interactions feel more natural and fluid.
In terms of functionality, this revamped Siri will have enhanced personal context awareness, allowing it to tailor responses based on user habits and preferences. For example, it could proactively suggest reminders or respond to queries about your schedule or location with more relevant information.
Onscreen awareness will also be improved, enabling Siri to better interact with what’s displayed on your device, responding contextually to apps or content currently in use.
Additionally, Siri’s integration with third-party applications is expected to become much smoother. This means users might be able to use Siri to navigate apps or retrieve information in a way that feels seamless and integrated, enhancing overall productivity.
Apple may showcase this version of Siri during the iOS 19 / iOS 26 announcement. However, the rollout of these features may not occur until spring 2026. Recall that Apple has alreadydelayed many of these same Siri features, which were supposed to launch with iOS 18.x.
Meanwhile, iOS 19 / iOS 26 is anticipated to offer enhanced support for Rich Communication Services (RCS), incorporating features from the latest RCS versions. This could include custom emoji reactions, editing and deleting messages, better spam handling, and end-to-end encrypted RCS messages.
Although not specifically mentioned in recent leaks, iOS 19 / iOS 26 is likely to include significant improvements to the Home app, HomeKit, and related services. Apple is expected to introduce a new range of smart home products throughout 2025 and 2026.
Besides the redesign, Apple is expected to bring features that improve our interaction with the iPhone, such as anew battery managementsuite to conserve power based on usage patterns. Apple is expected to use AI to make the iPhones’ battery last longer, but this may only be available for devices that support Apple Intelligence.
The optimizations may also be beneficial for Apple’s upcoming slim phone, theiPhone 17 Air, which may have a smaller battery than most regularly sized devices.
Additionally, iOS 19 / iOS 26 is suggested to bringseamless sign-in for public Wi-Fi networkswhere you will only have to sign in on any one of your Apple devices while others will automatically get access.
Apple has alsoconfirmeda slew of accessibility features, including better magnification, support for braille input devices, and voiceover features will be available across a range of iPhone models with iOS 19 / iOS 26.
Which devices will support iOS 19 / iOS 26?
Back inDecember 2024, it was reported that all devices capable of running iOS 18 would also support iOS 19 / iOS 26. However, more recentrumorssuggest that Apple may be dropping support for some of the older models, including the iPhone XR and iPhone XS, and XS Max, which were released back in 2018.
iPhone 11and newer models, including the iPhone SE models from 2020 and 2022, should receive the iOS 19 / iOS 26 update.
As with previous iOS updates, certain older models may not be able to utilize all the new features in iOS 19 / iOS 26, as some features will require specific chipsets to function. Apple has already clarified that Apple’s Intelligence tools will only be available on the upcoming iPhone 17 series, iPhone 16 series, and theiPhone 15 ProandiPhone 15 Pro Max.
