Apple's 'realityOS' for Rumored AR/VR Headset Referenced in Source Code

New references to "realityOS," the AR/VR operating system that will run Apple's rumored mixed reality headset, have been found in App Store upload logs and Apple open source code this morning.

apple ar headset concept 2

Concept render based on purported leaked information by Ian Zelbo

Apple is working on at least two AR projects that include an augmented reality headset set to be released in late 2022 or 2023, followed by a sleeker pair of augmented reality glasses coming at a later date.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the headset will feature two M1-style Apple silicon chips providing Mac-level computing power, and offer an innovative experience with seamless switching between AR and VR modes.


The AR/VR headset is expected to run a new operating system, previously referred to as "rOS," which stands for Reality Operating System. Just as tvOS runs Apple TV, macOS runs Macs and watchOS runs Apple Watch, "rOS" is expected to power Apple's AR headset. First unearthed by Bloomberg in 2017, the AR/VR operating system is internally codenamed "Oak."


According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple wants to create an ‌App Store‌ for the headset, with a focus on gaming, streaming video content, and video conferencing. It has been described by Bloomberg as an "all-encompassing 3-D digital environment" designed for gaming, media consumption, and communication.

However, Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset could be delayed until 2023 after being beset with issues during the development process, according to Bloomberg. Rumors initially suggested that Apple's AR/VR headset would come out at some point in 2022, perhaps at WWDC in June, but there are still development issues that Apple needs to overcome.

(Thanks, Matthew!)

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Top Rated Comments

MacHiavelli Avatar
21 months ago
'Concept render based on purported leaked information ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/04/apple-mixed-reality-headset-features-report/') by Ian Zelbo ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/12/21/artistic-renders-apples-ar-vr-headset/')'

Based on ski goggles, circa 1976.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
21 months ago
Maybe RealityOS will be for AR and they’ll have FantasyOS for VR. ?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Smartass Avatar
21 months ago

somehow I doubt that is going to happen.
If they dont give any effort into bettering VR Porn or gaming, then whats the point?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bollman Avatar
21 months ago
Video conferencing with a AR/VR-headset on? Wow, that will be interesting for other participants :cool:. Or, they want everyone to have a headset on and meet in a Virtual environment?
Well, solution looking for a problem.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chucker23n1 Avatar
21 months ago
That's nothing!

https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/dyld/blob/f0c616f1ed40db72ca252a4f59e8bd0895a8f1e1/common/MachOFile.cpp#L588



Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
21 months ago
This pretty much confirms it exists. I hope Apple pulls it off and it's not delayed till 2023.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17 and iPhones Feature

iOS 17: 10 New Features That Just Launched

Sunday September 17, 2023 12:35 pm PDT by
In June, Apple announced iOS 17 with a wide range of new features and changes for the iPhone. Following over three months of beta testing, the free software update will be released this Monday, September 18 for the iPhone XS and newer. Below, we have recapped 10 key features coming to the iPhone with iOS 17, with additional features coming later this year. The update should be released to...
iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

iPhone 15 Models Feature New Setting to Strictly Prevent Charging Beyond 80%

Tuesday September 19, 2023 2:04 pm PDT by
All of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models feature a new battery health setting that prevents the devices from charging beyond 80% at all times when enabled, as confirmed by The Verge's Allison Johnson during a Q&A session today. The new setting is separate from the pre-existing Optimized Battery Charging feature on iPhones, which intelligently delays charging past 80% until a more...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 17 With StandBy, Live Voicemail, Improved Autocorrect, FaceTime Video Messages and Tons More

Monday September 18, 2023 10:05 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, the latest operating system updates that are designed for the iPhone and iPad. As with all of Apple's software updates, iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 are available for free. iOS 17 is compatible with the iPhone XR/iPhone XS and later, while iPadOS 17 runs on the iPad mini 5 and later, the iPad 6 and later, iPad Air 3 and later, the second-generation 12.9-inch...
flighty standby

Best Apps With New iOS 17 and watchOS 10 Features

Monday September 18, 2023 3:02 pm PDT by
With the release of a new operating system, there are multiple features and design elements for developers to adopt. Now that iOS 17 is out, many major apps are getting interesting updates today, which we've rounded up below. watchOS 10 also has a new design language, so there are a range of Apple Watch updates to check out too. Flighty (Free, Premium Subscription) Popular flight tracking...