Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a major redesign of macOS, with the upcoming version likely named macOS Lake Tahoe, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Inspired by the picturesque lake that straddles California and Nevada, the name hints at a cleaner, more polished visual overhaul — the biggest since macOS Big Sur in 2020. Apple’s tradition of naming macOS versions after California landmarks continues, and Lake Tahoe is particularly meaningful as it’s a known getaway for many Apple employees. The new design is expected to reflect both beauty and refinement, much like its namesake.
macOS 26, named “macOS Tahoe” after Lake Tahoe, will debut at WWDC 2025 on June 9 with a glass-like design. Apple will skip iOS 19, renaming its OS to iOS 26. Rumors discuss iPhone 17 features and filmmakers using iPhones for a major movie. pic.twitter.com/VR7XKBGtcW
— Alex (@Jfreeg_) June 2, 2025
Apple has continued its tradition of naming macOS versions after iconic locations in California since 2013, starting with macOS Mavericks. Each name reflects a distinct natural or cultural landmark, with last year’s version dubbed macOS Sequoia, inspired by Sequoia National Park. The upcoming macOS 26 is reportedly named macOS Tahoe, referencing the scenic Lake Tahoe — a place known for its crystal-clear reflections of sky and mountains, which may symbolically align with Apple’s planned visual refresh.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the macOS redesign expected with macOS 26 will be Apple’s most significant since macOS Big Sur. The name Lake Tahoe might reflect a more “glassy,” polished aesthetic, which is reportedly a broader theme across Apple’s upcoming OS updates. These design changes are said to modernize the user interface and harmonize the look and feel across platforms including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS.
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Interestingly, Apple may also overhaul its software naming system during the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Reports indicate that Apple could drop version numbers in favor of year-based naming. This would mean iOS 19 could become iOS 26, iPadOS 20 would be iPadOS 26, and so on — matching the year of release for consistency and branding clarity.
Apple’s macOS 26 to Be Reportedly Named After California’s Lake Tahoe 👀#macOS26 pic.twitter.com/PtPh9mzYdl
— 𝑺𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝑨𝒓𝒐𝒓𝒂 (@Technifyzer) June 2, 2025
Alongside the renaming and visual updates, macOS 26 is expected to introduce several UI changes such as new system elements and “glassy” effects, aligning more closely with visionOS’s design language. The move reflects Apple’s broader aim to unify its ecosystem visually and functionally, making the experience seamless across devices — from iPhones to Macs to spatial computing platforms.
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