WWDC 2025: macOS Tahoe name leaked ahead of Apple's first biggest event of 2025

Apple is all set to host its annual developer conference — WWDC 2025 next week. At the event the company is expected to unveil the latest versions of its iOS, iPadOS and macOS operating systems. Now a new report suggests that Apple may name the upcoming version of macOS as macOS Tahoe . As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s upcoming macOS 26 is said to be named macOS Tahoe. The name follows Apple’s tradition of using California landmarks for macOS branding, with Lake Tahoe chosen to represent the new design overhaul expected in this release.


Here’s why Apple is naming macOS 26 as macOS Tahoe

Apple traditionally names its macOS operating systems after iconic California landmarks, a practice that has led to names like macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, and Catalina in recent years. Lake Tahoe, known for its clear waters and mountain reflections, aligns with Apple’s rumoured glass-like, translucent UI redesign. The update is expected to bring more fluid animations, redesigned icons, and a refreshed interface across Apple’s ecosystem. Lake Tahoe, a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains, fits this naming convention perfectly.

Alongside macOS Tahoe, Apple is reportedly rebranding all its operating systems to match the calendar year. Instead of iOS 19, macOS 15, or watchOS 12, Apple will introduce iOS 26 , macOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26, simplifying version numbers for users and developers.


What to expect at WWDC 2025Despite the scaled-down nature of the event, Apple will likely introduce:

• Swift Assist Updates – Enhancements to Apple’s developer tools.
• Rich Text Editor for SwiftUI – A new feature aimed at improving app development workflows.
• On-Device AI Models for Developers – Apple may allow third-party developers to embed its AI models into apps, though these models are smaller and less powerful than OpenAI’s or Google’s offerings.