Apple is reportedly planning a major redesign across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, drawing from visionOS

Apple is preparing a dramatic visual overhaul for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, with its next software updates introducing the most significant design changes in years. According to a report from Bloomberg, the redesign—expected to arrive with iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16—will refresh system icons, menus, apps, windows, and buttons across Apple’s platforms.

The revamp will reportedly draw inspiration from visionOS, the software that powers Apple’s Vision Pro headset. While details remain under wraps, sources indicate the redesign aims to unify Apple’s interface across devices while simplifying user navigation. Despite the similarities, Apple is not merging its operating systems, ensuring iPhones, iPads, and Macs retain their distinct functionalities.

This marks the biggest visual update to macOS since the release of Big Sur and the most significant change to iOS since iOS 7, which introduced a radical shift from skeuomorphic design to the flat aesthetics users recognise today. The upcoming transformation suggests Apple is once again pushing its UI forward, possibly moving towards a more immersive, spatially aware design akin to visionOS.

Apple is expected to reveal the redesign at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, though the company has yet to confirm the event’s exact date. Given the scale of these changes, anticipation is high for how the new look will impact everyday interactions across Apple’s ecosystem.

Apple’s shift toward a VisionOS-inspired design reflects its broader strategy of creating a seamless user experience across its ecosystem. VisionOS introduced spatial computing elements and fluid transitions, which could translate into smoother animations and more intuitive controls on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. This would align Apple’s mobile and desktop experiences more closely with its future-focused mixed-reality ambitions.

The redesign is also expected to impact how developers create apps for Apple devices. A unified design language could simplify the development process, allowing apps to scale more easily across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This shift might encourage more developers to adopt Apple’s latest design principles, ensuring a consistent look and feel across the App Store.

While Apple is not merging platforms, the design overhaul could introduce new cross-platform features. Features like hand gestures, enhanced multitasking, and dynamic window management—currently seen in VisionOS—might find their way into iOS and macOS, blurring the lines between mobile and desktop experiences.