macOS 26 will be names ‘macOS Tahoe’, marking the first big redesign of macOS since 2020’s Big Sur.
macOS 26 is Being Named After The Famous Lake Tahoe In California
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has settled on the name Tahoe, after the famous California lake, for its next-generation Mac operating system. macOS 26 will bring a fresh look and feel to the Mac experience, with visual changes that are expected to reflect the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe itself.
A Major Visual Refresh for macOS
Apple hasn’t refreshed macOS in a big way since Big Sur was released back in 2020. That’s set to change at WWDC 2025, where Apple will unveil a full redesign of all its operating systems, including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and more.
Gurman notes that macOS 26 Tahoe will include striking new visuals inspired by the way Lake Tahoe reflects the sky and nearby mountains. It’s a poetic way to describe what will likely be smoother, more modern animations and interface changes for Mac users.
All Apple OS Versions Getting New Numbering System
We already know Apple is rebranding all its software to match the year of release. Instead of seeing names like “macOS 15” or “iOS 19,” Apple will now use a unified naming system. All operating systems will carry the number ‘26’ to reflect their 2026 release cycle.
That means:
- macOS Tahoe becomes macOS 26
- iOS 26 replaces iOS 19
- watchOS 26, iPadOS 26, and even visionOS 26 will follow
This new system makes Apple’s software lineup feel more consistent, similar to how automakers name their car models by year.
Related: macOS 26 Could Drop Support For These Macs as Apple Shifts to New Design
Why ‘Tahoe’?
Lake Tahoe is a well-known vacation spot in California and a favorite retreat for Apple employees. It also fits into Apple’s tradition of naming macOS versions after scenic California locations (like Mojave, Monterey, and Ventura). The natural imagery tied to Lake Tahoe also aligns well with the rumored “refined, reflective” visuals coming to the Mac interface.
Final Thoughts
The choice of macOS 26 Tahoe is more than just a name, and it hints at a bigger shift in how Apple thinks about Mac software. With a new naming system and a full visual overhaul, 2025 could be a landmark year for macOS users.
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