Apple unveiled the latest version of its operating system for Apple TV today, and while many might have expected tvOS 19 to be announced, Apple opted to introduce tvOS 26 instead. And there’s a pretty good reason for that.
During its 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple introduced new versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS, and all of them will arrive as version 26 over the course of 2025.
As each of these platforms launched in different years, they have all evolved with different version numbers. For example, Apple introduced iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and tvOS 18 last year, along with macOS 15, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2.
By launching the next version of each of these platforms as 26, Apple is unifying them all. That’s the reason why tvOS 26 is coming to Apple TV players instead of tvOS 19.
In terms of why Apple went with 26, that’s because the new unified numbering is designed to reflect the year of the release cycle. Basically, 26 identifies 2025-2026 operating systems.
A Unified Version Number And A Unified Design
For those wondering why Apple choose this year to harmonize all the platform versions, that’s easy to answer.
Apple also introduced a new ‘Liquid Glass’ software design today, and the new design extends across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, marking the first time that a new design has extended across all of these platforms.
“This is our broadest software design update ever,” said Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design.
Considering the new design affects so many areas of each platform, and all platforms in general, Apple is marketing Liquid Glass as a unifying experience and update.
With this in mind, it also makes sense that Apple chose now, the launch of a new unifying design, to also unify the version numbers of all of its platforms.
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