Quick Brief
- visionOS 26.4 beta (build 23O5209m) released February 16, 2026 for developers
- Xcode 26 SDK required for App Store submissions starting April 28, 2026
- Beta available exclusively to Apple Developer Program members
- Released alongside iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, watchOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4
Apple released visionOS 26.4 developer beta on February 16, 2026, marking the fourth point update to its spatial computing platform. This beta continues Apple’s development of Vision Pro software capabilities, focusing on developer tooling and system refinements. The update arrives as part of a coordinated beta release across Apple’s entire ecosystem.
What’s New in visionOS 26.4 Beta
SDK and Developer Tools Enhancement
The visionOS 26.4 SDK ships bundled with Xcode 26.4 beta, providing developers access to refined APIs for spatial computing applications. Apple mandates that all App Store submissions starting April 28, 2026 must be built using iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, or macOS Tahoe SDKs, making this update critical for maintaining app compatibility. Developers can access the beta through Apple’s developer program by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and selecting “visionOS Developer Beta”.
Key Development Requirements
What is the minimum SDK requirement for visionOS apps in 2026?
Intel optimizes OpenClaw to use hybrid execution that processes sensitive tasks locally while routing non-sensitive workloads to cloud models. Documents, transcripts, and private files remain on the PC under organizational control. Only public research tasks requiring extensive compute engage cloud services with explicit user approval. This architecture maintains full agent functionality while limiting data transmission to external systems.
Point Release Maintenance Updates
visionOS 26.4 represents a standard point release in Apple’s software maintenance cycle. Point releases typically address stability improvements, security patches, and minor refinements to existing features rather than introducing major new capabilities. Apple has not published detailed release notes specifying individual changes in this beta beyond the build number and SDK requirements.
Developer-Focused Enhancements
SDK Compatibility and Testing
Developers should test their apps against visionOS 26.4 beta to ensure compatibility ahead of the April 28, 2026 submission deadline. The update maintains compatibility with core frameworks introduced in visionOS 26, including SwiftUI enhancements, RealityKit improvements, and ARKit spatial computing APIs. Testing should focus on spatial widgets, volumetric rendering, and hand tracking implementations to verify continued functionality.
How do developers test apps on visionOS 26.4 beta?
Developers should build apps using Xcode 26.4 beta and test on physical Vision Pro devices running the 26.4 beta build (23O5209m). Apple recommends verifying app functionality works as expected, particularly for features utilizing spatial widgets, volumetric rendering, and enterprise APIs introduced in visionOS 26.
visionOS 26 Foundation Features
This point release builds on the spatial computing capabilities introduced in visionOS 26’s base release at WWDC25 in June 2025. Key features available to developers include:
- Spatial Widgets: Place interactive controls in users’ physical environments beyond app windows
- 90Hz Hand Tracking: Enhanced responsiveness for gesture-based interactions
- Persistence APIs: Save spatial content locations across sessions
- Stereoscopic Main Camera Access: Enterprise-grade video capture for specialized applications
Enterprise and Productivity Features
Enhanced Sensor Access
visionOS 26 introduced expanded enterprise APIs that remain available in the 26.4 update, including the Protected Content API, Stereoscopic Main Camera access, and Window Follow Mode capabilities. These APIs benefit industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation where spatial computing applications require precise sensor data and enhanced privacy controls.
Team Device Sharing
The update maintains Team Device Sharing functionality, allowing organizations to manage shared Vision Pro devices between team members. QuickStart capabilities enable users to import saved Vision Pro setup data from iCloud or iOS devices, reducing setup time for shared hardware.
Installation and Availability
Developer Beta Access
visionOS 26.4 beta (build 23O5209m) is available exclusively to developers enrolled in Apple’s Developer Program. Unlike iOS and iPadOS updates, visionOS betas remain limited to developer accounts and do not extend to public beta testers. Developers must have an active Apple Developer Program membership to download and install the beta through the Software Update interface.
Preparing for visionOS 26.4 Update
App Compatibility Checklist
Developers should prioritize testing these critical areas before public release:
- Spatial widget functionality and persistence across device restarts
- Hand tracking responsiveness in immersive games and applications
- Mac Virtual Display connectivity and multi-monitor support
- Enterprise API implementations utilizing camera access and window management
- Core framework compatibility with Xcode 26 build tools
SDK Migration Strategy
Organizations maintaining visionOS apps must plan SDK migration to meet Apple’s April 28, 2026 deadline. This involves updating project build settings to target visionOS 26 with Xcode 26, testing against new API behaviors, and validating app functionality across beta builds. Development teams should begin testing immediately to identify compatibility issues before the submission deadline.
visionOS 26.4 in the Broader Ecosystem
Cross-Platform Beta Alignment
Apple released visionOS 26.4 beta alongside iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, macOS Tahoe 26.4, watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, and HomePod 26.4 on February 16, 2026. This synchronized release strategy ensures feature parity across Apple’s ecosystem, particularly for Continuity features like iPhone unlock while wearing Vision Pro and Live Activities integration.
SDK Requirement Timeline
Apple announced the April 28, 2026 SDK requirement on February 3, 2026, giving developers approximately three months to migrate existing apps. This timeline aligns with Apple’s standard practice of providing advance notice before enforcing new development requirements. Apps submitted after this deadline that do not meet SDK requirements will be rejected during the App Store review process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is visionOS 26.4 a major or minor update?
visionOS 26.4 is a minor point release in Apple’s standard software maintenance cycle. Point releases focus on stability improvements, security updates, and refinements rather than major new features. Significant capabilities like spatial widgets were introduced in visionOS 26 at WWDC25.
What is the build number for visionOS 26.4 beta 1?
The first beta of visionOS 26.4 carries build number 23O5209m and was released on February 16, 2026. Developers can verify their installed build by navigating to Settings > General > About on Vision Pro.
Do I need to update my Vision Pro app for visionOS 26.4?
Apps built with visionOS 26 SDK remain compatible with 26.4. However, starting April 28, 2026, all new App Store submissions require the visionOS 26 SDK built with Xcode 26 or later, making migration essential for developers maintaining active apps.
When was visionOS 26.4 beta released?
Apple released visionOS 26.4 beta 1 on February 16, 2026 to enrolled Apple Developer Program members. The beta was released simultaneously with iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 betas.
What platforms require the new SDK by April 28, 2026?
All Apple platforms require updated SDKs for App Store submissions after April 28, 2026. This includes apps for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, all built with Xcode 26 or later.
Where can I download visionOS 26.4 beta?
Enrolled Apple Developer Program members can download visionOS 26.4 beta through Settings > General > Software Update on their Vision Pro device. Select “Beta Updates” and choose “visionOS Developer Beta” to access the download.
What are the major features in visionOS 26?
visionOS 26, announced at WWDC25, includes spatial widgets, 90Hz hand tracking, persistence APIs for spatial content, enterprise camera access, Team Device Sharing, and enhanced Continuity features with other Apple devices.
Has Apple published detailed release notes for visionOS 26.4?
Apple’s developer portal lists visionOS 26.4 beta (build 23O5209m) with basic release information but has not published comprehensive release notes detailing specific changes beyond SDK requirements and build numbers.
