Apple has reportedly been working on and conceptualizing visionOS throughout the 2010s and early 2020s. Internally codenamed Borealis, it was officially revealed to the public at Apple's WWDC23 event alongside the Vision Pro. Apple stated the two would release in early 2024. App Store guidelines for the operating system similarly state that developers should refer to visionOS software as "spatial computing experiences" or "vision apps", and avoid the use of terms such as "augmented reality" and "mixed reality".
The operating system was initially planned to be released as xrOS before the name was changed reportedly days before its announcement, after the WWDC23 keynote and developer sessions had already been filmed. References to xrOS are still present throughout visionOS development materials. On January 8, 2024, Apple announced that the Vision Pro with visionOS would be available in the US on February 2, 2024, with pre-orders beginning on January 19.
From June 5–12, 2023, Apple released 35 free virtual sessions covering visionOS development as part of WWDC23. On June 21, 2023, Apple released Xcode 15 Beta 2, which was the first Xcode beta to include a software development kit for visionOS and Reality Composer Pro, a tool to create 3D content for visionOS. Xcode 15 launched without these features, which were eventually added in Xcode 15.2 on January 8, 2024, the same day that Apple started accepting submissions for the visionOS App Store.
The Photos app supports presenting spatial video, depth-mapped 3D video recorded on Vision Pro or iPhone 15 Pro, by adapting the video's depth to the user's head movements.
This was extended to an 8K wide and ultra-wide curved display options with the release of visionOS 2.1 in December 2024, along with the ability to route Mac audio to Vision Pro.
Before the February 2024 launch, Apple gave controlled demos of the Apple Vision Pro to many technology journalists, some of whom have praised its multitasking capabilities and input methods, while lamenting that the software is only available on expensive hardware. Other reviewers have focused on the software's spatial videos feature and high resolution, while questioning what the software's main use case will be. Speculation from journalists noted ongoing disputes from the developers of popular apps regarding the commissions charged by Apple for in-app purchases through apps distributed on the App Store as a potential cause for many not developing visionOS-native versions.
Many reviews praised visionOS even while criticizing the hardware. Some reviews even mentioned features more advanced than the Apple Vision Pro hardware, such as eye and hand tracking. Almost all key reviews praised the window mechanics and experience.
visionOS 1 is the first major version of visionOS. It was announced in WWDC 2023 on June 5, 2023, and was released on February 2, 2024, pre-installed in the Apple Vision Pro upon its release however, it was actually released on January 23, 2024 with the version number 1.0.1. The last update, visionOS 1.3, was released on July 29, 2024.
visionOS 2 is the second major version of visionOS. It was announced in WWDC 2024 on June 10, 2024 and was released on September 16, 2024 alongside iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, tvOS 18, and watchOS 11.
Wiggers, Kyle (June 5, 2023). "visionOS is Apple's latest operating system". TechCrunch. Retrieved June 7, 2023. https://techcrunch.com/2023/06/05/visionos-is-apples-latest-operating-system/
"WWDC 2023 Biggest Reveals: Vision Pro Headset, iOS 17, MacBook Air and More". CNET. Retrieved June 7, 2023. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/wwdc-2023-biggest-reveals-vision-pro-headset-ios-17-macbook-air-and-more/
"Everything Apple Announced at WWDC 2023". Wired. June 5, 2023. https://www.wired.com/story/wwdc-2023-everything-apple-announced/
Samantha Murphy Kelly (February 2, 2024). "Apple's Vision Pro headset hits US stores today. Here's what you need to know". CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/02/tech/apple-vision-pro-what-you-need-to-know/index.html
Mickle, Tripp (January 19, 2024). "Apple Takes a Humble Approach to Launching Its Newest Device". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/technology/apple-vision-pro-augmented-reality.html
"Apple Will Talk Up Its Mixed-Reality Headset in 2023 But Not Much Else". Bloomberg.com. January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2024. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-01-08/when-will-apple-launch-the-reality-pro-mixed-reality-headset-apple-2023-devices-lcnfzkc7
Robertson, Adi (June 5, 2023). "Apple Vision Pro is Apple's new $3,499 AR headset". The Verge. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/5/23738968/apple-vision-pro-ar-headset-features-specs-price-release-date-wwdc-2023
Evans, Jonny (January 9, 2024). "How to think about Apple and spatial computing". Computerworld. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024. https://www.computerworld.com/article/3712160/how-to-think-about-apple-and-spatial-computing.html
"Apple asks developers not to refer to their visionOS apps as 'AR' or 'VR'". 9to5mac. January 8, 2024. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024. https://9to5mac.com/2024/01/08/apple-visionos-apps-ar-vr
Weatherbed, Jess (June 5, 2023). "Disney Plus is coming to Apple's Vision Pro headset". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023. https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/5/23749382/apple-vision-pro-headset-disney-plus-tv-movies-sports-wwdc
Goldsmith, Jill (January 16, 2024). "Apple Vision Pro Unveils Disney+ Features, More Streaming Apps & 3D Movies As Bob Iger Calls Mixed Reality Headset "A Revolutionary Platform"". Deadline. Retrieved January 16, 2024. https://deadline.com/2024/01/apple-vision-pro-disney-streaming-apps-3d-movies-1235794007/
"Apple visionOS was called 'xrOS' before last-minute change, WWDC23 keynote and developer sessions confirm it". The Apple Post. June 9, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023. https://www.theapplepost.com/2023/06/09/apple-visionos-was-called-xros-before-last-minute-change-wwdc23-keynote-and-developer-sessions-confirm-it/
"Apple Vision Pro available in the U.S. on February 2". Apple Newsroom. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/01/apple-vision-pro-available-in-the-us-on-february-2/
"visionOS SDK now available - Latest News - Apple Developer". developer.apple.com. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=8sntwknb
"Apple releases Xcode 15.2". AppleInsider. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/01/08/xcode-152-arrives-featuring-support-for-apple-vision-pro-app-creation
"Apple Releases New Versions of TestFlight and Xcode With Vision Pro Support, Starts Accepting visionOS Apps". MacRumors. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/08/apple-releases-vision-pro-updates-testflight-xcode/
"Apple Releases New Versions of TestFlight and Xcode With Vision Pro Support, Starts Accepting visionOS Apps". MacRumors. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/08/apple-releases-vision-pro-updates-testflight-xcode/
Novet, Jordan (June 5, 2023). "Unity stock jumps 17% on Apple Vision Pro partnership". CNBC. Retrieved June 7, 2023. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/05/unity-stock-jumps-as-much-as-11percent-on-apple-vision-pro-partnership.html
Warren, Tom (June 5, 2023). "Microsoft Word, Excel, and Teams are all coming to Apple's new Vision Pro headset". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023. https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/5/23749947/apple-vision-pro-headset-microsoft-word-excel-teams
"What you need to know about Unity PolySpatial and visionOS". Unity Blog. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://blog.unity.com/engine-platform/unity-support-for-visionos
Goode, Lauren (June 5, 2023). "Apple's Mixed-Reality Headset, Vision Pro, Is Here". Wired. Retrieved June 5, 2023. https://www.wired.com/story/apple-vision-pro-specs-price-release-date/
Peters, Jay (June 5, 2023). "Apple announces visionOS, the operating system for its Vision Pro headset". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023. https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/5/23733874/apple-vision-pro-visionos-augmented-reality-os-specs-wwdc-2023
Axon, Samuel (June 6, 2023). "Hands-on with Apple Vision Pro: This is not a VR headset". Ars Technica. Retrieved June 7, 2023. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/06/hands-on-with-apple-vision-pro-this-is-not-a-vr-headset/
Song, Victoria (April 2, 2024). "Now Apple Vision Pro Personas can float freely across different apps". The Verge. Retrieved April 4, 2024. https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/2/24118863/apple-vision-pro-spatial-persona-shareplay
Peters, Jay (September 12, 2023). "The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will let you film spatial video you can watch on the Vision Pro". The Verge. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/12/23870546/iphone-15-pro-max-film-spatial-video-vision-pro
"Apple's first visionOS beta outlines 13 VR 'Environments,' app limitations". Macworld. Retrieved February 5, 2024. https://www.macworld.com/article/1964519/visionos-developer-beta-environments-features-release.html
Spangler, Todd (January 16, 2024). "Apple Vision Pro Will Feature 150-Plus 3D Movies at Launch, Immersive Originals, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and More". Variety. Retrieved January 26, 2024. https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/apple-vision-pro-3d-movies-streaming-apps-disney-plus-1235873608/
Lang, Ben (June 20, 2023). "Apple Vision Pro Will Support WebXR for Fully Immersive Experiences in the Browser". Road to VR. Retrieved June 24, 2023. https://www.roadtovr.com/apple-vision-pro-webxr-support-safari-model/
"Apple Releases visionOS 2.2 With Ultrawide Mac Virtual Display". MacRumors. December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/12/11/apple-releases-visionos-2-2/
Davis, Wes (December 11, 2024). "The Vision Pro's ultrawide Mac display is very close to being a killer app". The Verge. Retrieved December 30, 2024. https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/11/24301921/vision-pro-ultrawide-mac-display-visionos-2-2-killer-app
"Apple Vision Pro available in the U.S. on February 2". Apple Newsroom. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/01/apple-vision-pro-available-in-the-us-on-february-2/
Roth, Emma (June 10, 2023). "The Vision Pro's biggest advantage isn't Apple's hardware". The Verge. Retrieved August 27, 2023. https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/10/23755285/apple-vision-pro-developers-key-apps
"Apple Vision Pro available in the U.S. on February 2". Apple Newsroom. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/01/apple-vision-pro-available-in-the-us-on-february-2/
"Apple announces more than 600 new apps built for Apple Vision Pro". Apple Newsroom. Retrieved February 3, 2024. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/02/apple-announces-more-than-600-new-apps-built-for-apple-vision-pro/
Peters, Jay (June 5, 2023). "Apple announces visionOS, the operating system for its Vision Pro headset". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023. https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/5/23733874/apple-vision-pro-visionos-augmented-reality-os-specs-wwdc-2023
Peters, Jay (June 5, 2023). "Apple announces visionOS, the operating system for its Vision Pro headset". The Verge. Retrieved June 7, 2023. https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/5/23733874/apple-vision-pro-visionos-augmented-reality-os-specs-wwdc-2023
Parrish, Ash (June 5, 2023). "Apple's new VR headset will feature over 100 Apple Arcade games at launch". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023. https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/5/23749709/apple-vision-pro-apple-arcade-wwdc-2023
updated, James Bentley last (January 8, 2024). "Every Apple Vision Pro app we've heard about so far". iMore. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.imore.com/apps/best-apple-vision-pro-apps
"Apple Announces Streaming Services and Sports Apps Available on Vision Pro at Launch". MacRumors. January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/16/vision-pro-streaming-services-and-sports-apps/
Gurman, Mark (January 18, 2024). "Bloomberg - YouTube and Spotify Won't Launch Apple Vision Pro Apps, Joining Netflix". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-18/youtube-and-spotify-join-netflix-in-not-launching-apple-vision-pro-apps
Patel, Nilay (February 5, 2024). "YouTube says a Vision Pro app is 'on the roadmap'". The Verge. Retrieved February 6, 2024. https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/5/24062425/youtube-vision-pro-app-360-vr-video
"I've Worn Apple's Vision Pro Headset 4 Times. Here's What You Need to Know Before Buying". CNET. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/ive-worn-apples-vision-pro-headset-4-times-heres-what-you-need-to-know-before-buying/
Song, Victoria (January 16, 2024). "Apple Vision Pro hands-on, again, for the first time". The Verge. Retrieved January 20, 2024. https://www.theverge.com/24040075/apple-vision-pro-hands-on-virtual-reality
Pierce, David (January 20, 2024). "The Vision Pro's first killer app is the web, whether Apple likes it or not". The Verge. Retrieved January 24, 2024. https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/20/24044343/apple-vision-pro-safari-killer-app
Patel, Nilay (January 30, 2024). "Apple Vision Pro review: magic, until it's not". The Verge. Retrieved February 5, 2024. https://www.theverge.com/24054862/apple-vision-pro-review-vr-ar-headset-features-price
"Apple Vision Pro Review: A Mind-Blowing Look at an Unfinished Future". CNET. January 30, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024. https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/apple-vision-pro-review-a-mind-blowing-look-at-an-unfinished-future/
Patel, Nilay (January 30, 2024). "Apple Vision Pro review: magic, until it's not". The Verge. Retrieved February 5, 2024. https://www.theverge.com/24054862/apple-vision-pro-review-vr-ar-headset-features-price
"Everything Apple Announced at WWDC 2023". Wired. June 5, 2023. https://www.wired.com/story/wwdc-2023-everything-apple-announced/
Samantha Murphy Kelly (February 2, 2024). "Apple's Vision Pro headset hits US stores today. Here's what you need to know". CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/02/tech/apple-vision-pro-what-you-need-to-know/index.html
"About visionOS 1 Updates". Apple Support. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214071
"Apple Releases visionOS 1.0.1 Ahead of Vision Pro Launch". MacRumors. January 23, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/23/apple-releases-visionos-1-0-1/
Michael, Simon. "Vision Pro isn't out yet but Apple has already patched a serious zero-day flaw". Macworld. Retrieved February 11, 2024. https://www.macworld.com/article/2224566/vision-pro-visionos-1-0-2-update-webkit-zero-day-security-flaw.html
"About visionOS 1 Updates". Apple Support. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214071
"Apple Releases visionOS 1.0.3 With Reset Option for Forgotten Passcode". MacRumors. February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/12/apple-releases-visionos-1-0-3/
Hall, Zac (March 7, 2024). "visionOS 1.1 update for Apple Vision Pro now available with MDM support, improved Persona, more". 9to5Mac. Retrieved March 7, 2024. https://9to5mac.com/2024/03/07/visionos-1-1-update-for-apple-vision-pro-now-available-with-mdm-support-improved-persona-more/
"Apple Releases visionOS 1.1.1 With Bug Fixes". MacRumors. March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/21/apple-releases-visionos-1-1-1-with-bug-fixes/
"About the security content of visionOS 1.1.1". Apple Support. March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214093
"Apple Releases visionOS 1.1.2 With Bug Fixes and Revised visionOS 1.2 Beta". MacRumors. April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/04/09/apple-releases-visionos-1-1-2//
"About visionOS 1 Updates". Apple Support. April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024. https://support.apple.com/en-us/118202#a112
"Apple Releases visionOS 1.2 With Persona, EyeSight and Virtual Keyboard Improvements". MacRumors. June 10, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/06/10/apple-releases-visionos-1-2/
"visionOS 1.2 Release Notes". developer.apple.com. June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/visionos-release-notes/visionos-1_2-release-notes
"Apple Releases visionOS 1.3". MacRumors. July 29, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/07/29/apple-releases-visionos-1-3/
"Apple Releases visionOS 1.3". MacRumors. July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/07/29/apple-releases-visionos-1-3/
Davis, Wes (June 10, 2024). "Apple announces visionOS 2, with 3D photo transformations and ultrawide Mac display". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/10/24171950/apple-vision-pro-wwdc-2024-visionos-2-first-party-native-apps
"Apple Announces visionOS 2 With Improvements to Mac Virtual Display, Travel Mode, and More". MacRumors. June 10, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/06/10/apple-announces-visionos-2/
"Introducing visionOS 2: An overview of what's new and features". Kaipkada. June 10, 2024. https://www.kaipkada.lt/news/visionos-2-pristatymas-naujoviu-ir-funkciju-apzvalga/
"Apple Releases visionOS 2.0". MacRumors. February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/12/apple-releases-visionos-2/
"Apple Releases visionOS 2.0.1". MacRumors. February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/12/apple-releases-visionos-2-0-1/
"Apple Releases visionOS 2.1". MacRumors. February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/12/apple-releases-visionos-2-1/
"Apple Releases visionOS 2.1.1". MacRumors. February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/12/apple-releases-visionos-2-1-1/
"Apple Releases visionOS 2.2". MacRumors. February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/12/apple-releases-visionos-2-2/
"Apple Releases visionOS 2.3". MacRumors. February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/12/apple-releases-visionos-2-3/
"Apple Releases visionOS 2.3.1". MacRumors. February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/12/apple-releases-visionos-2-3-1/
Clover, Juli (March 11, 2025). "Apple Releases visionOS 2.3.2 With Streaming Playback Fix". MacRumors. Retrieved March 11, 2025. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/11/apple-releases-visionos-2-3-2/
Clover, Juli (March 31, 2025). "Apple Releases visionOS 2.4 With Apple Intelligence, Spatial Gallery and New iPhone Integration". MacRumors. Retrieved March 31, 2025. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/31/apple-releases-visionos-2-4/
Clover, Juli (April 16, 2025). "Apple Releases visionOS 2.4.1". MacRumors. Retrieved April 16, 2025. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/04/16/apple-releases-visionos-2-4-1/
Clover, Juli (May 12, 2025). "Apple Releases visionOS 2.5 With Vision Tab for Apple TV App". MacRumors. Retrieved May 18, 2025. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/05/12/apple-releases-visionos-2-5/
Clover, Juli (June 16, 2025). "Apple Seeds First Betas of visionOS 2.6, tvOS 18.6, and watchOS 11.6". MacRumors. Retrieved June 17, 2025. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/16/apple-seeds-watchos-11-6-beta-1/
"Apple Seeds First Developer Betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe and More". MacRumors. June 9, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/09/apple-ios-26-developer-beta/
"Apple Seeds Second Developer Betas of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26". MacRumors. June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/23/apple-seeds-ios-26-beta-2/