At WWDC this week, Apple previewed an updated Vision Pro MR headset framework. At the event, Apple showcased visionOS 26, which aims to bring new spatial computing abilities and AI integrations to the device.

Apple is introducing its Widgets system to the Vision Pro, allowing device wearers to access services such as Clock, Weather, Music, and Photos. Moreover, Users can personalise what Widgets exist in their spatial environments, including those from compatible iOS and iPadOS apps, with additional developer tools via WidgetKit. Moreover, Spatial Safaru browsing allows web developers to embed 3D models directly into web pages.

The new Vision Pro update will also include an update to the personas system that “exhibit[s] striking expressiveness and sharpness,” according to Apple. This consists of a side profile view and consideration for Persona personalisation, including hair, eyelashes, and skin tone.

The spatial photo is also refreshed with a new AI algorithm and computational depth to allow Vision Pro users to view 3D scenes from various perspectives, with additional abilities for the native playback of 180-degree, 360-degree, and wide field-of-view content from platforms like Insta360, GoPro, and Canon.

With new system updates also comes new hardware integrations. The latest and improved Vision Pro OS supports PlayStation VR2 Sense controller, a big move for the hardware initially pitched as controllerless—another hardware integration by the way of Logitech Muse, an accessory for spatial input.

Mike Rockwell, Apple’s vice president of the Vision Products Group, added:

Apple Vision Pro has defined what’s possible in this new era of spatial computing, and with visionOS 26, we’re excited to push the boundaries even further.

On the Enterprise Side

However, the Vision Pro is still very much being sold as a productivity tool, following its first reveal last year, and in the new OS, fresh business tools are coming to the device.

VisionOS 26 is enabling new ways to interact with workplace tools like Spatial Analogue via its Logitech Muse and Dassault Systèmes’ 3DLive app that allows users to visualise 3D designs in person and with remote colleagues.

Rockwell also added:

With brand-new ways for Vision Pro owners to connect, explore, work together, and enjoy content, we’re incredibly excited for users to enjoy features like apps and widgets that they can arrange in their spaces, spatial scenes that offer a brand-new viewing experience for their photos, and dramatically enhanced Personas on Vision Pro.

Additionally, enterprise-focused APIs, such as the new Protected Content API, ensure that only authorised individuals can access confidential materials like medical records or business forecasts, while preventing copying, screenshots, and screen sharing.

New team device sharing allows organisations to set up and manage a shared pool of devices easily. This feature enables professional users to securely store eye and hand data, vision prescriptions, and accessibility settings on their iPhone running iOS 26, making it simple to transfer this information to another Vision Pro.

Additionally, visionOS 26 introduces enhanced Apple Intelligence capabilities, including updates to Image Playground. It also supports new languages: French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. It also includes English language support for users in Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, and the UK.

All these features are now available for testing through the Apple Developer Program, with a full rollout planned for the future.

At WWDC 2025 this week, Apple announced that Insta360, GoPro, and Canon had been partnering with company to develop native support for their cameras for the next version of VisionOS, visionOS 26. Insta360 has clarified what that actually means for creators using the X5 or Ace Pro 2 cameras.

Apple has developed new parts of the QuickTime file, which it is calling an APMP (Apple Projected Media Profile), which can be used to describe the lenses and image produced by non-traditional cameras, including cameras with stitching, like the Insta360 X5.

“Apple’s support for native playback of 360-degree and wide field-of-view video on Apple Vision Pro is a game changer that brings immersive storytelling full circle,” said Max Richter, VP of Marketing at Insta360. “Soon, with visionOS 26, you’ll be able to relive these awesome moments from Insta360 X5 and Ace Pro 2 like you’re there all over again.”

The Apple Presentation linked below explains the different kinds of camera facilitated by the new APMP tool, and how they differ from traditional imaging. (Image credit: Apple)

Apple’s Jon Logan provided a detailed explanation of APMP for developers and video tech geeks at WWDC which can be seen here. It provides a clear explaination of the difference between rectilinear (flat) video formats and the alternatives that exist out there.

Apple’s improved software, as the company puts it “has built-in support for popular camera vendors’ lens projection parameters and field of view modes” – that’s not just my pick for best 360-degree camera, the Insta360 X5 but the GoPro Max (when it comes to spherical 360).

More than spherical 360 – in which you’ll be able to look around the room (or outdoor space) after the fact, there is also support for the wide-angle lenses of popular action cameras – again the Ace Pro 2 (and, inevitably, GoPro Hero 13 Black).

Insta360 has a tradition of cooperating with Apple, from being the first 360 degree camera that made it to Apple Stores, to the Flow 2 Pro’s support for Apple’s DockKit, meaning iPhone users had on-device access to the gimbal’s features.

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visionOS 26 is not expected to be fully available until this fall, though Apple developers can access early versions now and traditionally the iOS beta comes out about a month after WWDC.

Apple has revealed visionOS 26, a major update for its Vision Pro headset at its WWDC conference on Tuesday. The new version brings a range of features that offer smarter widgets and shared activities to support 360-degree videos and popular VR game controllers.

Spatial widgets One of the biggest changes is the introduction of spatial widgets. These widgets now appear directly in your space and stay in place every time you wear the headset. You can personalise how they look — changing their size, colour, and depth — and choose from built-in widgets like Weather, Music, Photos, and Clock. Users can also add widgets from apps on their iPhone or iPad.

visionOS 26 also introduces shared spatial experiences, allowing people wearing Vision Pro headsets in the same room to interact together, whether it is watching a movie in 3D, playing a game, or working on a project. Remote users can still join through FaceTime, making it easy to connect with people both nearby and far away.

Apple has also updated Personas, the digital version of a user’s face used in virtual meetings. These now look more realistic, with better detail for hair, skin, and facial features. You can preview and adjust how your Persona looks and even choose from over 1,000 styles of virtual glasses.

The update adds a new feature called spatial scenes, which uses AI to turn regular photos into 3D-like environments. This lets users view pictures with depth and different angles, as if they were inside the scene. Apps like Zillow will use this feature to give home tours a more lifelike feel.

visionOS now supports footage from Insta360, GoPro and Canon For watching videos, visionOS 26 now supports 180-degree, 360-degree, and wide-angle footage from Insta360, GoPro, and Canon. Users can experience their action videos in full immersive view. On Safari, websites can now include 3D models that users can view and interact with, bringing shopping and browsing to life.

The update also adds support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers, allowing Vision Pro users to play a wider variety of games. A new accessory, the Logitech Muse, gives users another way to interact with apps, especially useful for businesses and remote teams.

In the workplace, companies can now share Vision Pro headsets more easily with a new team device sharing feature. Employees can save their settings, like hand tracking, vision prescription, and accessibility preferences on their iPhone, and apply them to any shared Vision Pro headset.

You can download the visionOS 26 developer beta for free — right now. You can get a look at the exciting new spatial widgets coming to the Vision Pro before the update is shipped to everyone. Unlike other platforms, there is no public beta option, only the developer beta.

Of course, there are a few things you should look out for. Beta software can be buggy and can lead to data loss or apps that don’t work.

If you’re still sure you want to try it out, you should make sure you have a backup of your most important data with two copies of your photo library before you try installing. I’ll show you how.

How to download the visionOS 26 developer beta

Table of contents: How to download the visionOS 26 developer beta

1. Check that you have an iCloud backup

Before you download the visionOS beta, you should make sure that your Vision Pro is backed up. If you lose important data, if the software update is unsuccessful or if you want to roll back to the stable version of visionOS after trying out the beta, this backup will save your skin.

Double check in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. Right under the button that says “Backup Now,” you should see small text that says, “Last successful backup”. If you have it set up properly, it’ll probably say it last backed up overnight.

If not, you need to make a backup. To do so, tap Back Up Now.

2. Check that your photo library is backed up

Next, open Photos > Library. Scroll all the way down below the most recent photo to see if your photos are backed up. If it says “Synced with iCloud,” you’re golden. Otherwise, tap Sync Now to make sure you don’t lose anything.

If you have a Mac with enough storage (or with an external drive) you should have another copy of your photo library, too. Backing up to iCloud will help if something happens to your Vision Pro, but if a bug corrupts your photo library and those changes are synced to iCloud, a separate copy will make sure you have a safe copy.

On your Mac, click on the Finder and open the Home folder with your name (⇧⌘H). Open Pictures. You should see a file called Photo Library. Make a local copy by clicking File > Duplicate (⌘D), or copy it to an external drive by clicking and dragging it over. Then, rename it something descriptive, like Photo Library (Backup).

3. Switch to allow beta software updates

Go to Settings > General > Software Update. After it checks for updates, you’ll see the option appear for Beta Updates. Tap that and you’ll see the options currently available: Off, visionOS 26 Developer Beta and visionOS 2 Developer Beta. There is no visionOS public beta, so if you want to be cautious, you should wait a day or two after a software update is released before installing.

Tap visionOS 26 Developer Beta to get the flashy new update with all the coolest features like Spatial Photos, new Home and Control Center gestures, a customizable Home View and more.

4. Download the visionOS beta update

Tap back and you’ll see the visionOS 26 update available. Tap Update Now to download the visionOS beta and Install Now when it’s ready. It may take longer than a usual software update.

At the end, you’ll reboot into the shiny new beta operating system! You can expect to get a new software update about every few weeks until September.

We originally published this article on how to download the visionOS beta on June 11, 2024. We updated it with the latest information on June 10, 2025.

Spatial Personas are going to get even more realistic this year.

Apple’s Vision Pro headset was introduced two years ago, but this year’s WWDC conference has news on new VisionOS features coming later this year. Besides new design updates and a new name (VisionOS 26), here’s what to expect.

VisionOS is getting widgets that float, like a clock, weather and photos. On top of that, there’s a new Widgets app in VisionOS. There’s also a new memory for app placement in space.

Spatial Scenes, a new way to generate 3D in photos, is coming to VisionOS 26: it’s an update to the auto-converting 3D images tool that was there before. These allow movement back and forth to make scenes feel more 3D. Finally, it’s like the original Vision Pro ads.

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Apple’s uncanny 3D personas are getting upgrades to look more realistic, and the quick demo Apple gave looked impressive. New collaborative same-room tools are coming too, for same-room AR interaction, games or…movie watching.

Spatial styluses will work on VisionOS, like those from Logitech.

There are also some spatial controller support, much like what other headsets like Meta already have. Logitech Muse, a stylus, is getting Vision support for 3D stylus work, and PlayStation VR 2 controllers are going to work with Vision Pro games.

Controller and stylus support is something I’ve wanted on Vision Pro since it arrived, and it should allow a lot more games and apps to work on Apple’s platform. As for how well it works … well, stay tuned.

This is a developing story…