How to develop an Apple Vision Pro app: the process step by step

Apple Vision Pro places apps in the space around the user, so designing for it is very different from designing for phones or computers. Below is the typical process for a visionOS app, from concept to launch, and what to watch at each stage.

1. Concept: why present it in space?

The first step is to check whether the content really needs spatial computing. If it is just a phone screen made bigger, users may not notice a difference. Suitable content usually calls for viewing in 3D, true-to-life scale, or letting users interact with it in space.

2. Decide how to present content

visionOS apps have three main ways to present content: a window for a standard interface; a volume for 3D objects that can be viewed from different angles; and an immersive space, which can extend content across the whole surroundings or even take the user fully into a virtual scene. An app can combine these as needed.

3. Prototyping and on-device testing

The size, distance and comfort of content in space are hard to judge on a computer screen alone. We recommend building a prototype early, trying it on Apple Vision Pro, and then adjusting where content is placed, how big it is and how users interact with it.

4. 3D content production

3D models need to balance appearance and performance. Overly complex models affect smoothness, so polygon counts, materials and textures need to be optimised. Apple platforms commonly use the USDZ format for 3D content.

5. Development and interaction design

Users interact by looking and using hand gestures, so buttons and interactive objects need to be large enough and give clear feedback. Holding a hand up for long periods is tiring, so interactions should be as simple and direct as possible.

6. Testing and release

Before launch, test under different lighting, room sizes and session lengths. The app can be released publicly on the App Store, or, if it is for internal use only, distributed privately in line with Apple’s rules.

Before you start

• Confirm the number of devices and the venue first
• Keep each session reasonably short; content can be designed in segments
• When devices are shared, have someone on hand to help people put them on and to clean them
• Leave time for repeated testing on the device