Apple Invites Developers to Vision Pro Coding Labs, Reveals Top-Secret Rules for Tester Kits - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Invites Developers to Vision Pro Coding Labs, Reveals Top-Secret Rules for Tester Kits

Earlier this week, Apple started accepting applications for one-day Vision Pro developer labs in Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo. These coding labs will allow developers to test and optimize their apps on visionOS, and Apple employees will be available to help with setup and troubleshooting.

Apple Vision Pro with battery Feature Blue Magenta
Apple has since started emailing the first developers invited to attend these labs, which will begin next week and continue into August in the chosen cities.


"In these self-directed coding and design labs, you'll be able to test and optimize your apps on visionOS," Apple's website says. "Bring your Mac, code, and everything you need to modify, build, run, and test your app on Vision Pro."

Apple Developer Program members who are at least 18 years old can apply to attend one of the labs. Developers must have a new visionOS app in active development, or an existing iPadOS or iOS app, and Apple says priority will be given to developers who are building apps that are specially optimized for the Vision Pro.

Top-Secret Rules

Apple has made an SDK and visionOS simulator available for developers to build Vision Pro apps. For developers who need continuous, direct access to the headset, Apple has also opened applications for Vision Pro developer kits. Apple has very strict terms and conditions for these kits, which developers must keep secure at all times.


Developers must keep the kit in a "private, secure workspace," and cannot show it to any family, friends, or other unauthorized individuals, according to Apple. The kit also must be in a developer's "direct line of sight" at all times, and stored in a locked Pelican case in a locked space when not in use, the company adds.

Apple says the Vision Pro will launch in the U.S. early next year, and third-party visionOS apps will be available through the App Store on the headset.

(Thanks, @aaronp613!)

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Popular Stories

Vision Pro M5 Announcement

New Vision Pro Headset: Apple Considering Four Different Concepts

Monday September 28, 2026 3:52 am PDT by
Apple is working on a "completely revamped" Vision Pro headset that could go in any of four directions and likely won't arrive before late 2028 or early 2029, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said Apple's Vision team is exploring four concepts for the device, codenamed N224, including designs that offload internal components in a similar ...
Apple Remnants Vision Pro

Apple Unveils Immersive Horror Film Coming Exclusively to Vision Pro

Tuesday October 13, 2026 5:26 am PDT by
Apple on Monday announced Remnants, an immersive horror film that will be released exclusively on the Vision Pro on Friday, October 16. The film will be in the Apple Immersive Video format, meaning it will be a 3D video recorded in 8K resolution with a 180-degree field of view and Spatial Audio. Apple shared a short video of people reacting to the film while wearing the Vision Pro....
General visionOS watchOS and tvOS Betas Feature Redux

Apple Releases Third watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Betas

Monday October 5, 2026 11:20 am PDT by
Alongside new betas of iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, and macOS Golden Gate 27.2, Apple has released the third betas of watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, and visionOS 27.2. The betas come two weeks after Apple released the second betas. Registered developers can download the betas through the Settings app on each device. With iOS 27.2 and watchOS 27.2, Apple is testing the new Health app that it showed...

Top Rated Comments

gaximus Avatar
42 months ago
Can you take it to a bar if you put it in a case that makes it look like an Oculus Rift?
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macsplusmacs Avatar
42 months ago

Top-Secret rules for what?

Apple already announced the Apple Vision Pro. It's really not a top secret anymore. The Vision OS is also already out too!
I think mostly so they can't go to Facebook, etc and tell all the VR devs all the details about hardware , API and how and what are the limitations or advancements on a very detailed level?
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
42 months ago
The first rule of Vision Pro testing: You must not talk about Vision Pro testing.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
42 months ago

The Vision Pro developer kit rules are INSANE
I know online posts have to be overly dramatic to get clicks, but honestly, I don't think those terms are really all that crazy. Basically protect it, don't lose it, don't let others access it. I guess they are very specific, but the intent isn't very odd to me.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
42 months ago

Top-Secret rules for what?

Apple already announced the Apple Vision Pro. It's really not a top secret anymore. The Vision OS is also already out too!
I suspect there are key features & benefits to be revealed in perhaps one of the Fall "shows."

There were other desirable features that these should easily support that were not revealed at WWDC. I suspect Apple "held back" some of those to refresh excitement and press coverage when more is revealed, probably in the Fall and then again at the actual launch in 2024. I further guess that someone with access could come across some things that would let such cats out of the bag before Apple wants them revealed... like a crack at beta macOS sometimes reveals new Mac placeholders, etc. What placeholders will these developers find in Vpro? If there are some- and I suspect there will be- this demand for absolute secrecy is probably- at least in part- trying to save those "big reveals" for when Apple wants them to be known.

I fully expect more than what we did get to see in the big demo is coming from Apple (not just whatever these developers create, though I also expect some "amazing!" from the independent developers too).
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
42 months ago
What is the point of all this extreme secrecy when the product has already announced and surely devs will talk about it? Seems like letting friends and family use the kit is a good way to get word of mouth going.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
19 minutes ago
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
49 minutes ago
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
1 hour ago
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
3 hours ago
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
3 hours ago
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
4 hours ago
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
8 hours ago
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
8 hours ago
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
8 hours ago
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
9 hours ago
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
9 hours ago
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
10 hours ago
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
10 hours ago
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
15 hours ago
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
16 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
17 hours ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
18 hours ago
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
18 hours ago
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
20 hours ago
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
20 hours ago
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
20 hours ago
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
21 hours ago
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
21 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
22 hours ago
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
23 hours ago
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
1 day ago
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
1 day ago
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
1 day ago
Loop Capital Cuts Apple Rating Over iPhone Sales Outlook
Loop Capital Cuts Apple Rating Over iPhone Sales Outlook
1 day ago