What’s coming from Apple in May before WWDC arrives next month?

Macworld

WWDC kicks off on June 9, where we’ll get our first look at Apple’s new software for the fall: iOS 19, iPadOS 19, tvOS 19, macOS 16, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3. We’ve heard there’s a big redesign in store this year, the most dramatic change in years.

So what does that leave for May? Not much. There probably won’t be any big hardware or software releases or announcements this month—anything Apple has to reveal, it will do so at WWDC. That leaves software and services as the lone Apple releases for May.

New hardware releases

In 2024, Apple surprised us with a rare May event to announce the M4 iPad Pro, 13-inch iPad Air, and Apple Pencil Pro. It seems very unlikely that Apple will repeat that this month. While there are several products that could release ahead of WWDC, including the AirTag 2, HomePod mini 2, and M4 Ultra Mac Pro, rumors suggest they will arrive in the fall rather than the spring.

Apps and software updates

There’s iOS 18.5 and macOS 15.5, but those are relatively minor updates that focus on bug fixes and security, with only a couple of very minor changes. As always, however, there will be security and bug fixes as well.

Based on previous yearly x.5 releases and how far along the betas are, we expect the wide release of iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, macOS 15.5, etc. around the second week of May.

Services

Apple TV+

Here are the shows, series, and movies we expect to release on Apple TV+ in May. If you want to know what’s coming later, check our full guide to upcoming Apple TV+ content.

Long Way Home: Best friends Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman gear up for their fourth Long Way adventure — this time riding through 17 European countries on cranky old bikes. May 9

Murderbot: A 10-episode action-packed sci-fi series based on a series of novellas by Martha Wells. Tells the story of a self-hacking security android who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable “clients.” May 16

Deaf President Now!: A documentary about an 8-day at Gallaudet University in 1988, where the school’s board hired a hearing president over several qualified deaf candidates. May 16

Fountain of Youth: A film about two estranged siblings who partner on a global heist to find the mythological Fountain of Youth. They must use their knowledge of history to follow clues on an epic adventure that will change their lives … and possibly lead to immortality. May 23

Apple Arcade

Apple releases most Apple Arcade games on the first Friday of each month. Check our Apple Arcade FAQ for a full list of Apple Arcade games and more details on the service. Occasionally, games are released with no forewarning, but you’ll usually see next month’s releases listed in the Coming Soon section.

SUMI SUMI Matching PUzzle+: Characters from San-X in a matching puzzle game. May 1

Words of Wonders: Search+: Word search puzzles. May 1

LEGO Friends Heartlake Rush+: And endless runner with LEGO characters and vehicles. May 1

WHAT THE CLASH?: A variety of silly two-player PvP battle scenarios. May 1

with My Buddy: A virtual pet sim for dogs and cats in the vein of Nintendogs. May 1