Um, why did Apple just jump from iOS 18 to 26? There’s actually a very good reason

Apple’s new operating system arrived on Sunday and everyone is wondering the same thing – why did Apple jump from iOS 18 to iOS 26?

Ever since iOS 1 was released on 29th June 2007, Apple has consistently been jumping up in numbers every year or couple of years to iOS 18 in 2024.

However, Apple has suddenly skipped seven numbers and gone straight to iOS 26 in 2025, and there’s actually a very good reason for it.

iOS 26 vs iOS 18. Which do you prefer? pic.twitter.com/JZ4ZiR28zS

— Andrew Clare (@andrewjclare) September 17, 2025

This is why Apple has jumped from iOS 28 to iOS 26

Apple has jumped from iOS 18 to iOS 26 to align the iPhone operating system with all other devices including iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, and with the year the system is released.

They wanted to create more unity and continuity between the different devices, so iPhone went from iOS 18 to iOS 26, iPad went from iPadOS 18 to iPadOS 26, Mac went from macOS 15 to macOS 26 and Apple Watch went from watchOS 11 to watchOS 26.

Even Apple’s virtual reality headset the Apple Vision Pro has gone from visionOS 3 to visionOS 26 this year, a huge jump.

So, why the number 26? Well, it relates to the year. We’re in 2025 right now, but Apple chose the following year 2026 because this is when the upgrade will mostly be used. It’s like cars, which always use the following year when they’re released in the second half of the year.

iOS 26 will be the operating system on all iPhones until iOS 27 is released in September 2027, so the majority of the operating system’s lifespan will be in 2026. Nine out of 12 months of its life are in 2026, so it does make sense.

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Strangely, Apple hasn’t decided to align its iPhone models with the years though. So, the iPhones will continue be numbered from iPhone 1. We are now up to the iPhone 17 which has just been released.

RIP iOS 19 to iOS 25, which will never exist.

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Featured image by: Apple.