visionOS 26 Transforms Apple Vision Pro with Spatial Widgets and AI Scenes

Apple has released visionOS 26, a major update for Apple Vision Pro that introduces persistent spatial widgets, generative AI-driven spatial scenes, dramatically improved Personas, and shared spatial experiences. Announced at WWDC 2025 and now available, this updatedated June 2025pushes Vision Pro from a tech showcase to a versatile daily spatial computer.

The standout feature is a new class of widgets that integrate seamlessly into your physical space. Unlike traditional 2D overlays, these widgets gain depth and dimension, allowing users to customize frame thickness, color, and placement. They remain fixed even if you restart your Vision Pro or move around the room, thanks to a persistence system for widgets and windowed apps. A dedicated Widgets app simplifies discovery and access, while developers leverage WidgetKit for creating these 3D elements.

This persistence extends to apps, meaning your arranged windows stay put across sessions. Imagine pinning a weather widget to your desk corner or a calendar floating above your coffee tableinteractions become truly mixed-reality. For developers, increased memory limits now port high-end iPad games to Vision Pro without compromises, paired with Compositor Services for privacy-focused hover effects in Metal apps.

visionOS 26 employs Apple Intelligence to transform 2D photos and spatial videos into immersive 3D scenes via RealityKit’s ImagePresentationComponent. Users can lean in, look around, and explore lifelike depth generated by AIperfect for reliving memories with stunning realism. This builds on existing spatial photo capabilities, elevating flat images to panoramic vistas.

Media support expands dramatically with the Apple Projected Media Profile (APMP), enabling native playback of 180°, 360°, and wide field-of-view videos from Canon, GoPro, and Insta360 cameras. Creators using BlackMagic URSA Cine Immersive and DaVinci Resolve can embed Apple Immersive Video in apps or Safari. Reality Composer Pro now captures 3x more content per session, and the simulator supports 4K resolution for testing. New Immersive Media Support (IMS) framework streamlines production pipelines.

Personas, Vision Pro's digital avatars for video calls, receive a complete overhaul. Enhanced hair, eyelashes, complexion, and movement make them feel natural and familiar. The capture process now includes new glasses styles and preview options. In meetings, you'll see lifelike skin texture and clothing details, reducing the 'uncanny valley' effect.

Shared spatial experiences allow multiple Vision Pro users in the same room to collaborate on movies, whiteboards, or appslike co-watching content or brainstorming in 3D. This co-presence feature, highlighted in hands-on tests, fosters real-world connectivity in virtual spaces.

Gaming leaps forward with hand tracking up to 90Hzno code changes neededfor fluid, responsive immersive titles. Dynamic Render Quality optimizes detailed scenes, while new accessories like Sony PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers and Logitech Muse enable precise inputs for gaming, drawing, and sculpting.

Everyday usability improves with Look to Scroll (eye-based navigation in apps and Safari), a redesigned Control Center consolidating Guest User, Focus, and Travel Mode, and iPhone unlocking via glanceeven in full Environments. iOS 26-enabled Face ID iPhones pair seamlessly.

More Apple Intelligence arrives, including Image Playground updates, plus language support for French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and regional English variants. Accessibility shines with Live Recognition for object description, zoom views, and improved typing.

Enterprise APIs enhance healthcare, manufacturing, and transport: shared camera access, stereo feeds, stabilized region video, and Window Follow Mode for mobile apps. Call recording for FaceTime and phone (with announcements) aids recall.

Safari gains spatial browsing, hiding distractions for 3D model interactions. The Jupiter Environment, NASA-collaborated, offers interactive moons with dynamic lighting and motion. These elements make Vision Pro practical for work, play, and exploration.

visionOS 26, released September 2025 per reports, solidifies Vision Pro's role in spatial computing. With these tools, Apple addresses early critiques of it being a 'tech demo,' delivering utility and wow-factor in equal measure.