Apple is reportedly preparing a significant redesign of the operating systems for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Bloomberg reports that iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16—set to be unveiled at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June—will undergo a radical transformation in design, impacting icons, apps, menus, windows, and system buttons.
Apple’s radical OS redesign to be unveiled at WWDC
This update, described as “one of the most dramatic software overhauls in the company’s history,” aims to simplify the user experience and create a more cohesive design across platforms. Currently, the apps and icons differ by device, leading to potential inconsistencies for users.
The redesign is reportedly “loosely” based on the software interface of Vision Pro, Apple’s mixed-reality headset launched in 2023. VisionOS features more rounded icons, a sleeker window system, and a greater emphasis on depth and shadows compared to iOS and macOS.
The timing of this overhaul coincides with Apple’s efforts to reinvigorate its product lineup, following a 1% dip in iPhone sales during the holiday quarter. Moreover, delays in the introduction of an advanced AI-powered Siri could impact sales as competitors ramp up their AI initiatives. This redesign may also shift the focus away from Apple’s AI efforts at WWDC in June.
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The planned changes mark the biggest redesign of iOS since iOS 7 in 2013 and the most significant update to macOS since Big Sur in 2020. According to industry analyst Jitesh Ubrani from IDC, while iPadOS has advanced over the years, many new features remain hidden or complicated for everyday users. A significant redesign could improve product uptake, even though Ubrani noted that the changes might not automatically drive sales. Instead, the goal is to deliver a seamless and consistent experience across devices.
With these updates, iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 (code-named “Luck”) and macOS 16 (dubbed “Cheer”) will represent substantial upgrades beyond mere aesthetic changes. Apple aims to unify the look and feel of its operating systems while maintaining their distinct identities, which is believed to encourage consumers to invest in multiple Apple devices.
The new updates are expected to be a highlight at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, potentially overshadowing the challenges Apple faces in enhancing its AI capabilities. Last week, the company announced an indefinite delay in its AI upgrades for the Siri digital assistant.
While Apple is embracing elements from VisionOS, including circular app icons and a simplified window approach, some features specific to the mixed-reality headset will not translate to the 2D interfaces of iOS and macOS. Alan Dye oversees the software design team, which has regrouped amid the departure of several key designers following Jony Ive’s exit in 2019.
With more than 2 billion devices in use globally, any overhaul of Apple’s operating systems carries significant stakes, especially considering past user reactions to changes, such as the revamp of the Photos app last year.
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