Apple Releasing iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and macOS 26 Soon

Apple capped off its biggest launch event of 2025 with a wave of new hardware and software updates. Alongside the latest iPhone, Apple Watches, and AirPods, the company confirmed release dates for its next generation of operating systems.

New devices and new operating systems galore

Apple recently held its September 2025 Keynote event, where it announced several new products. Among the highlights were iPhone 17 Pro, the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, with additional updates across the hardware lineup.

The new hardware will run on updated versions of their respective operating systems. For the first time, Apple is synchronizing version numbers across platforms according to the specific year. These operating systems include:

• iOS 26: Adds the new Liquid Glass design, Apple Intelligence integration, advanced call screening and management options, improved accessibility, and other updates.
• iPadOS 26: Introduces a redesigned windowing system, background task management, Apple Intelligence, and advanced call management. It remains compatible with some earlier iPads dating back to the 1st generation.
• macOS 26 Tahoe: Brings Apple Intelligence, a new Phone app, and the most significant update to Spotlight to date.
• watchOS 26: Adds the Liquid Glass technology, a simplified Control Center, new fitness tools, integrated Apple Intelligence, and more.
• tvOS 26: Features Liquid Glass technology along with numerous updates to profiles, user logins, and  a new API for developers.
• visionOS 26: Users of Apple Vision Pro will see numerous updates to visionOS 26, including 3D models, inline spatial scenes, extended support for languages via Apple Intelligence, and new accessories.

Compatibility and release date

Not all updates require brand new devices. Apple confirmed that Apple TV, Apple Watch, and HomePod owners with hardware from 2024 onward will be able to install the latest software. Many existing iPhones and iPads are eligible too, though Intel-based Macs remain unsupported for macOS 26 Tahoe.

A recent Apple press release reads, in part: “iOS 26 elevates the iPhone experience with a beautiful new design, powerful Apple Intelligence capabilities, and meaningful improvements to the apps users rely on every day. The new design with Liquid Glass makes apps and system experiences more expressive and delightful, bringing greater focus to content while keeping iOS instantly familiar.”

What this means for consumers

The September 2025 Keynote was more than a product showcase — it outlined Apple’s software strategy for the next year. Whether consumers are drawn to the redesigned iPhone lineup, the new generation of Apple Watches, or simply want to update their current devices, Apple is making sure its software ecosystem feels unified and forward-looking.