Apple is reportedly merging iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps as early as next year (AAPL)

iphone x

Getty/Carl Court

• Apple plans to combine its various apps across its platforms into universal apps that work on all devices, Bloomberg reported.

• That would mean developers could make one app that works across iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

• Other companies, like Microsoft and Google, have tried this, but it has proved challenging.

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Apple plans to merge apps across all its platforms starting next year, according to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

So far, developers have been forced to create separate apps for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. But beginning in 2018, they will be able to create a single app that works on any device, according to Bloomberg.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

One reason for this change may have to do with the Mac App Store.

On average, apps for Macs tend to be updated less frequently than those for their iPhone counterparts, or they don't receive new features at the same time. Combining all versions of an app into a single, streamlined one would theoretically eliminate that issue.

But other tech giants have previously tried to do the same thing. Microsoft and Google have attempted to build combined apps for all devices but haven't seen much success.

If Apple can successfully merge its apps, it would be pulling off a difficult feat.

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