Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 2 hrs ago
Apple Changes Development Process for iOS 28 and macOS 28
Apple has changed how it develops iOS 28 and macOS 28, according to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman.
Apple usually divides each operating system’s development into three stages, with each stage typically split between four weeks of coding and four weeks of integrating features.
For the first stage this time, engineers spent six weeks coding and exploring ideas, followed by two weeks integrating features.
Gurman said employees liked having more time to develop ideas before deciding which features to include.
No specific features for iOS 28 have been revealed.
The change affects Apple’s software development process, but the available information does not say what it will mean for users.
Beta versions are expected in June 2027, with release planned for September 2027.
Apple changed the first development stage for iOS 28, iPadOS 28 and macOS 28 to allow more time for coding and feature development.
The stage used six weeks of coding and exploration followed by two weeks of integrating features, rather than four weeks of each.
Employees reportedly said the change gives them more time to develop and explore ideas before features are locked in.
The change affected the M1 milestone, which has already passed.
iOS 28 is expected to be available in beta in June next year and released in September next year.
- Who
- Apple changed its development process; employees reportedly welcomed the change.
- What
- The first development stage for iOS 28 and related updates shifted to six weeks of coding and two weeks of feature convergence.
- When
- The change was made for the first development stage, which has already passed. The updates are expected to enter beta in June next year and be released in September next year.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- The change gives engineers more time to come up with and explore ideas before integrating features into the operating systems.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Apple shifted the stage to six weeks of coding and feature development followed by two weeks of convergence.
iOS 28 is expected to be available in beta.
iOS 28 is expected to be released.
- Operating systems
- iOS 28, iPadOS 28 and macOS 28
- Internal names
- iOS 28 and iPadOS 28: Bell; macOS 28: Poppy
- First-stage coding
- Six weeks
- First-stage convergence
- Two weeks
- Development milestones
- M1, M2 and M3
2 sources
What people are saying
Instead of the normal split between two four-week efforts, Apple engineers were tasked with six weeks of coding, exploration and feature development, and then only two weeks of convergence
Employees say they like the change, indicating that it creates more time for coming up with ideas and exploring them before needing to lock things in.