iOS 28 Development Process
Apple has adjusted its software development schedule for iOS 28, iPadOS 28, and macOS 28, according to Mark Gurman, MacRumors reported.
Engineers received six weeks of coding time for the first milestone instead of the usual four. Apple splits each annual operating system cycle into three major stages. These milestones are internally designated as M1, M2, and M3, as AppleInsider noted.
Normally, each stage lasts eight weeks, divided evenly between coding and convergence. Convergence is the period when developers integrate newly built features into the broader operating system, according to AppleInsider. For the M1 milestone of the 28-generation software, Apple shifted that balance. Engineers spent six weeks on coding, exploration, and feature development, followed by just two weeks of convergence, Bloomberg reported.
NEW in Power On: Apple eyes autonomous, agentic Siri as early as next year to rival ChatGPT Dots, Meta Muse, Grok. The goal is to move beyond responding to commands to an assistant that can proactively manage tasks and get things done on your behalf. https://t.co/luW64FHzKu
Software Engineer Feedback
Apple employees like the schedule shift, according to Mark Gurman. The adjustment gives teams more time to explore ideas before locking them in. “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,” Gurman wrote in his Power On newsletter. Employees say the change creates more breathing room for innovation.
Later development stages require heavy focus on integration as features stack up. Earlier stages do not carry that burden, making a shorter convergence period viable, AppleInsider reported. Development of the M2 milestone kicks off on Monday, marking the period when Apple will start to finalise what it plans to include, according to the report.
Broader AI Ambitions
The development shift coincides with a broader internal push to accelerate artificial intelligence work. Hardware chief John Ternus has privately asked management to speed up AI development plans, holding closed-door meetings with software chief Craig Federighi, Firstpost reported. Ternus has expressed frustration over incremental progress on Siri and pushed for a transition beyond basic request-based actions.
Questions about iOS 28 release and codenames
When will iOS 28 be released?
Apple is expected to preview iOS 28 in a beta release at WWDC in June 2027, followed by a public launch in September 2027, according to The Apple Post.
Also in Power On: Apple is changing how it develops iOS 28, iPadOS 28 and macOS 28. Engineers are getting more time to explore and build new features before locking them in. The shift comes as the company works to accelerate its software and AI ambitions. https://t.co/i6aWupwQhz
What internal codenames are used for iOS 28 and macOS 28?
Internally, iOS 28 and iPadOS 28 are known as Bell, while macOS 28 is referred to as Poppy, AppleInsider reported.
Are specific features for iOS 28 confirmed?
Mark Gurman reported that Apple has not yet revealed specific consumer-facing features planned for the iOS 28 update.
Keep reading