Apple readies extensive software overhaul for iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Apple is gearing up for one of its most significant software transformations ever, aiming to revamp the user experience on iPhone, iPad, and Mac for a fresh wave of users.

This overhaul, expected later this year, will radically alter the appearance of the operating systems and create a more unified approach across Apple’s software platforms, as per sources familiar with the initiative. This includes revamping icons, menus, applications, windows, and system buttons.

As part of this initiative, Apple is focused on simplifying how users interact with and control their devices, according to individuals who have requested anonymity as the project is not yet public. The design will draw inspiration from the software of the Vision Pro, they noted.

Apple is banking on a groundbreaking new interface to stimulate demand after a period of sluggish performance. Revenue growth has slowed following a surge in tech spending during the pandemic, and the recovery has been gradual. The iPhone, Apple’s top revenue generator, experienced an unexpected decline in sales during the last holiday season.

The upcoming changes will be part of iOS 19 and iPadOS 19—codenamed “Luck”—and macOS 16, called “Cheer.” These updates will go beyond just aesthetic improvements; they will represent the most significant enhancement to the Mac since the Big Sur update in 2020 and the biggest iPhone redesign since iOS 7 in 2013.

An Apple spokesperson has chosen not to comment.

The announcements are anticipated to be central to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June and may help shift focus from the company’s erratic endeavors in artificial intelligence. Last week, Apple postponed its AI improvements for the Siri virtual assistant indefinitely, corroborating a Bloomberg News article that indicated the upgrades faced challenges.

A primary objective of this redesign is to ensure that Apple’s various operating systems appear more similar and cohesive. Currently, the applications, icons, and window designs differ significantly across macOS, iOS, and visionOS, which can create a disjointed user experience when switching between devices.

However, Apple is not merging its operating systems—a method adopted by some other tech companies. The belief is that keeping the operating systems distinct will lead to better Macs and iPads, while also encouraging consumers to invest in multiple devices rather than relying on just one.

VisionOS, on the other hand, was created for Apple’s mixed-reality headset, which integrates virtual and augmented reality. Although sales have been lackluster since its launch last year, the innovative software features are expected to eventually extend to other devices.

VisionOS distinguishes itself from iOS and macOS with circular app icons, a more streamlined approach to window management, translucent navigation panels, and a greater emphasis on 3D depth and shadowing. Nevertheless, some of the immersive elements and hand-gesture controls of the Vision Pro won’t translate into the 2D environments of iOS and macOS.

This upgrade has become a central focus for Apple’s software engineering division, as well as the interface design team within the company’s broader design group.

Under the leadership of Alan Dye, a veteran Apple executive with a background in fashion, the software design team is tasked with shaping how software appears, operates, and even the auditory experience it delivers. Over a decade ago, Dye was recruited by design chief Jony Ive to help develop the Apple Watch’s operating system alongside iOS 7.

Since Ive’s exit in 2019, Dye’s role within the company has expanded significantly. He now supervises a team of over 300 individuals dedicated to software aesthetics and functionality. Dye reports directly to Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams and collaborates closely with Molly Anderson, who manages industrial and hardware design.

The impact of Ive’s departure—an iconic design figure—continues to resonate within Apple. Many designers have left the company in recent years to join his new venture, LoveFrom. Furthermore, the design department has faced morale challenges, with various employees expressing concerns over stringent management practices and a decline in the creative atmosphere.

Simplistic and intuitive interface design has been a cornerstone of Apple for more than 40 years, originating with the Mac. Yet, design changes can also elicit strong reactions.

With over 2 billion devices in use globally, people depend on Apple products for work, communication, and leisure. Even last year during the revamp of its Photos app, many users voiced their dissatisfaction. With the entire operating systems undergoing modification, the potential for backlash is significantly heightened.

© 2025 Bloomberg

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