Apple's update calendar: When to expect next versions

Apple's update schedule for its operating systems, including iOS and macOS, appears to follow a predictable pattern, allowing for anticipation of future release dates. The latest x.1 versions of iOS 26 and macOS 26 have entered developer beta testing, indicating Apple's adherence to its established update cadence.

The Mac blog "The Eclectic Light Company" analyzed the release data for macOS versions in 2023 and 2024. The study found that macOS 14 "Sonoma" and macOS 15 "Sequoia" exhibited similar release timelines. This pattern seems to be continuing with macOS 26 "Tahoe," for which the first developer beta was released in September.

Following Apple's historical pattern, macOS version 26.1 could be released around October 27. A subsequent update, 26.2, might arrive by December 15. For 2026, projected release dates include January 26 (26.3), March 30 (26.4), May 11 (26.5), July 27 (26.6), and September 14 (26.7).

Given that macOS and iOS are increasingly synchronized in their release cycles, iOS 26.1 is expected in late October, with iOS 26.2 following in mid-December. iOS often sees smaller, security-focused updates between major releases, such as iOS 26.0.1. The impact of anticipated iPhone releases in spring 2026 on this update schedule remains uncertain.