Apple Reportedly Begins Development on iOS 28 and macOS 28 — Codenames, Features, and Why It’s Significant

Apple is already looking beyond what it has not yet announced. While iOS 27 and macOS 27 are set to be unveiled at WWDC 2026 on June 8, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman revealed in his Power On newsletter that Apple’s software engineering teams have already kicked off early development on the next generation: iOS 28, iPadOS 28, and macOS 28. The 2027 software releases, according to Gurman, are “already shaping up to be far more significant” than the upcoming 2026 updates.

This is not unusual — Apple’s software development cycles typically begin planning 12–18 months before public announcement. What is notable is the emphasis on significance: Gurman’s framing suggests iOS 28 is expected to be a landmark release, not an incremental one.

Internal Codenames

Apple has assigned official internal codenames to the 2027 software releases:

For reference, the current iOS 27 development cycle uses the internal codename “Rizz,” following “Rave” (iOS 26 mobile) and “Fizz” (iOS 26 desktop components). The shift to “Bell” and “Poppy” signals the projects are now in active feature development rather than pre-planning.

Where Development Stands Now

Gurman’s sources indicate that software engineering teams are at the stage of developing individual features, new application architectures, and design enhancements. This is early-stage feature work — not yet at the integration phase where components are assembled into a cohesive OS experience. With WWDC 2027 approximately twelve months away, there is substantial time for features to be added, adjusted, or cut.

This is the same stage Apple was at with iOS 26 when Gurman first reported its development — features that were eventually shipped alongside headline additions that had not yet been conceived when early development began.

Three Reasons iOS 28 Is Expected to Be a Landmark Release

1. The iPhone 20 — 20th Anniversary Redesign

iOS 28 will debut on the iPhone 20, Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhone, expected in September 2027. Leaked design information describes the iPhone 20 (internally “Glasswing”) as featuring a bezel-less curved display, no physical buttons (entirely gesture-based), and a completely new structural design that represents the most radical iPhone redesign since the original. When Apple introduces a landmark new hardware form factor, it typically designs software features that are exclusive to or showcased by that hardware — creating meaningful differentiation that drives upgrade cycles. iOS 28 and the iPhone 20 are expected to follow this pattern.

2. Deeper Apple Platform Integration

One of the stated internal goals for the “Boppy” project is deeper integration between iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Apple has been converging its platforms for years through Universal Control, Continuity Camera, Handoff, AirDrop, and Catalyst apps. iOS 28 is expected to take this further — with potential features including unified notification management across devices, shared application states that persist seamlessly between iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and potentially a more unified window management approach that works across platforms. This has been a recurring developer wish-list item for years, and the 20th-anniversary milestone may provide the motivation to make meaningful progress.

3. Full Realisation of Apple Intelligence Siri

The personalised, context-aware Siri that Apple first demonstrated at WWDC 2024 has been rolling out progressively through iOS 26 and iOS 27. The demo showed Siri understanding that “my mother’s flight lands at 3PM” from a calendar event and “she and I have lunch plans” from a Messages thread, and synthesising that into actionable assistance. iOS 28 is expected to be the version where this vision is fully realised — with a dedicated Siri app, more natural conversational AI, and a “Search or Ask” Dynamic Island integration for rapid AI assistance. This connects directly to Apple Intelligence’s larger vision of a personal AI that knows your context, not just your queries.

Rumoured Features for iOS 28 and macOS 28

While no specific features are officially confirmed, early reports and developer community discussions point to several likely areas of focus:

• Redesigned home screen and app library — taking advantage of the iPhone 20’s bezel-less display geometry with new layout possibilities
• Siri app with conversational interface — a standalone, chat-style Siri experience similar to modern AI assistants
• Dynamic Island “Search or Ask” — context-aware quick AI access from any app
• Deeper cross-platform continuity — more seamless app state sharing between iOS and macOS
• Redesigned core apps — Notes, Mail, Messages potentially receiving visual overhauls to match the new hardware design language
• On-device AI model improvements — expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities leveraging the A20 Pro’s enhanced neural engine

iOS 27 Comes First — What to Expect at WWDC 2026

Before iOS 28 arrives, WWDC 2026 (June 8–12) will unveil iOS 27. That release is focused on:

• The personalised Siri with on-screen awareness and personal context
• Liquid Glass design language refinements
• Foldable iPhone Ultra optimisations (split-screen, multitasking, adaptive layouts)
• End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android
• Touch optimisations for a potential future touchscreen MacBook Pro

iOS 27 lays the foundation. iOS 28 builds the landmark.

Development and Release Timeline