Apple to overhaul software for consistency across iPhone, iPad, Mac

The news: Apple is planning an enormous remodel of its iPhone, iPad, and Mac operating systems to make the software interfaces more consistent and update icons, app appearances, menus, buttons, and more. It’ll be the biggest Mac upgrade since 2020 and the largest change for the iPhone since 2013.

The updates will hit the upcoming iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16, and designs will be based on software from Apple’s Vision Pro, per Bloomberg. While that decision might seem questionable considering the headset’s poor sales performance, Apple may be looking to capitalize on the resources spent developing visionOS.

Apple needs a new hook … It also may be banking on an interface revamp to catch consumers’ eyes, especially after sluggish iPhone sales in its most recent quarter.

A revitalized OS could help convert the 41% percent of Apple smartphone owners who only upgrade their devices once they need replacing, per CNET. Improving device sales could also help Apple buy time for its big AI plans—which are facing significant delays—and not rely on its Services segment to prop up losses.

… but still needs diverse systems: The company is stopping shy of entirely merging its software. The iPhone, iPad, and Mac already have distinctive use cases, and by not offering a fully homogenous user interface, Apple can keep marketing each device as a unique product.

Our take: Aligning cross-device OSes could reduce the number of developers needed on staff and streamline future updates. It could also attract new consumers to its products, such as a devoted Mac user who might be interested in swapping out an Android phone for an iPhone once the interfaces align.

However, longtime owners of multiple Apple devices could feel thrown off by massive changes. Apple could offer customization options that let consumers tailor interfaces to their preferences.