Apple on Thursday updated the TestFlight app to provide support for apps developed for use with the first visionOS beta, meaning developers will likely soon be able to use the app for beta testing apps for the Apple Vision Pro headset.
“TestFlight now supports visionOS apps for internal and external testing, as well as testing iOS and iPadOS apps on visionOS,” reads Apple’s developer update on the functionality.
You can now submit apps built with Xcode 15 beta 3 using the SDK for iOS 17 beta 3, iPadOS 17 beta 3, visionOS 1 beta, macOS 14 beta 3, tvOS 17 beta 3, and watchOS 10 beta 3 for internal and external testing, with support for the following:
- Tap to Present ID on iOS
- Apple Pay Later Merchandising on iOS and iPadOS
- Shallow Depth and Pressure on watchOS
- VMNet on macOS
- Sensitive Content Analysis on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
In addition, TestFlight now supports visionOS apps for internal and external testing, as well as testing iOS and iPadOS apps on visionOS.
Developers do not yet have their hands on an Apple Vision Pro headset to use, but Apple plans to offer Apple Vision Pro developer kits later this month. Apple plans to allow developers to apply to get a kit. Developers may be required to purchase an Apple Vision Pro headset, but the purchase price should include access to beta software, developer labs, discussion forums, technical support, and other resources.
This process should be similar to the developer kit Apple offered that included a Mac mini powered by an Apple silicon chip back in 2020, as it aided developers in making the move from Intel processors to Apple silicon. The Mac mini machines were sold to developers for $500, but they were required to return the units at the end of the testing program.
Apple also plans to soon open Apple Vision Pro developer labs for developers to visit. The labs will be available in Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo.