With WWDC25 wrapping up, the subsequent huge milestone on Apple’s calendar is the autumn OS launch season. And whereas many have already got a psychological map of how these rollouts normally go, a brand new chart making the rounds presents an ideal visible snapshot of when every OS has landed since 2013.
Initially posted by Reddit consumer alexkaessner, the Datawrapper interactive timeline highlights the same old sample: Fall Keynote within the first half of September (blue dots), iOS and iPadOS launch a couple of week after that (crimson dots), after which macOS trailing a bit behind (orange dots).
What stands out is simply how far macOS slipped between 2019 and 2022, usually touchdown properly into October and even November. However up to now couple of years, Apple has managed to shut that hole, with macOS releases creeping nearer to iOS and iPadOS as soon as once more, even touchdown a mixed launch final yr.
What to anticipate for 2025
If historical past is any information, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 will seemingly ship in mid-to-late September, simply after Apple’s fall iPhone occasion.
macOS Tahoe 26, in the meantime, is a query mark. Final yr marked the primary mixed launch of macOS alongside iOS and iPadOS, however as this chart makes clear, that’s removed from the norm.
That mentioned, timelines might shift. Apple is now juggling extra complicated cross-platform options, new AI integrations, and the realities of constructing for a number of machine classes. And whereas this yr’s Liquid Glass UI overhaul may assist align issues, it might simply as simply create new challenges.
It’s additionally value noting that iOS releases are tied to iPhone launches, and Apple has confronted its share of provide chain uncertainty amid ongoing US-China commerce tensions. And whereas the previous few days have introduced indicators of de-escalation, current historical past makes it clear that nothing is assured on that entrance.
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