How can I make a visionOS app?
Asked on 07/17/2024
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To make a visionOS app, you can follow these steps:
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Start with an Existing App: If you already have an iOS or iPadOS app, you can begin by recompiling it to run on visionOS. This can be a quick way to get started with the VisionOS spatial UI layout. For example, DJ started with their SwiftUI-based iPad app and easily recompiled it to run on visionOS (Platforms State of the Union).
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Use the visionOS SDK: In the build settings of your app, select the iOS target and add Apple Vision as a supported destination to compile the app. You might encounter a few compilation errors, but if the app was made for iOS, most of the code should compile (Bring your iOS or iPadOS game to visionOS).
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Adopt Standard System Appearance: When you build your app for visionOS, it will automatically adopt the standard system appearance. Standard SwiftUI components like
TabView
and sheets translate beautifully to visionOS (Get started with HealthKit in visionOS). -
Utilize Native Frameworks: Consider using native frameworks like ARKit and RealityKit to take full advantage of device capabilities. These frameworks are at the core of developing the best spatial apps for visionOS (Platforms State of the Union).
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Design for Immersion: Think about how to embrace immersion in your app. VisionOS is designed with people at the center of the experience to ensure interactions are comfortable. Finding your key moment that is optimized for visionOS can make your app stand out (Design great visionOS apps).
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Enhance Rendering: You can render to a
CMTL
layer or directly to a relative texture with the new low-level texture API. Starting with aCMMetalLayer
might be easier, but moving to a low-level texture can give you more control (Bring your iOS or iPadOS game to visionOS). -
Test and Iterate: Take the upfront time to build and test ideas to learn how your apps will best excel on visionOS. Great apps on Vision Pro have considered the spectrum of immersion and have been intentional in their approach (Design great visionOS apps).
For more detailed guidance, you can refer to the sessions mentioned above, which provide comprehensive information on developing for visionOS.

Design great visionOS apps
Find out how to create compelling spatial computing apps by embracing immersion, designing for eyes and hands, and taking advantage of depth, scale, and space. We’ll share several examples of great visionOS apps and explore how their designers approached creating new experiences for the platform.

Platforms State of the Union
Discover the newest advancements on Apple platforms.

Platforms State of the Union 5-Minute Recap
Watch a quick recap of the newest advancements on Apple platforms.