Apple Vision Pro's Developer Strap and Diagnostics Mode Revealed in More Detail

Code discovered by MacRumors reveals a clearer look at how Apple stores will support Vision Pro headsets that are in need of servicing or support.

vision pro developer strap diagnostics
Back in June, Apple published its "Platform State Of The Union" video for developers, and multiple times throughout that video, a Vision Pro with a mysterious USB-C adapter could be seen, leading to speculation as to what it could be.

A recent update to one of Apple's diagnostic tools has shed new light on this by providing a new look at the "developer strap" which was first referenced in iOS 17.0 developer beta 1. The tool, which has a model number of A2776, is designed for use by Apple retail stores when interfacing with a malfunctioning Vision Pro. Interestingly, developers who received the Vision Pro developer kit last year were also provided access to this strap.

Code from the diagnostic tools also reveals more information on steps Apple retail stores can take to enter diagnostics mode on a malfunctioning Vision Pro to perform a restore:

  1. Remove the right audio strap and install the developer strap onto the Apple Vision Pro.
  2. Start up the ‌Apple Vision Pro‌ to Diagnostics Mode.
    – Press and hold down the Digital Crown.
    – Attach the battery cable while holding the Digital Crown.
    – Continue holding the Digital Crown for 8 to 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
  3. Plug the ‌Apple Vision Pro‌ into this computer using a USB-C cable.

With ‌Apple Vision Pro‌ officially launching today and Apple publishing a wealth of information about the new device, make sure to keep tabs on all of our coverage for the latest on what Apple CEO Tim Cook calls "the era of spatial computing."

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Popular Stories

Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's 'CarPlay Ultra' Experience Now Available

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:07 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its next-generation CarPlay experience, now dubbed "CarPlay Ultra" begins rolling out today, starting with Aston Martin vehicles. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. CarPlay Ultra is now available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada. It will also be available for existing models that feature the brand's next-generation ...
Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's CarPlay Ultra Is Here – Does Your iPhone Support It?

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:17 am PDT by
Apple's recently announced CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated in-car experience, but not all iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature. According to Apple's press release, CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. This means if you're using an iPhone 11, iPhone XR, or any older model, you'll need to upgrade your device to access...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Apple Says These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer All-New CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. CarPlay Ultra features deep integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in Radio and Climate apps, customizable widgets, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can also adjust...
iPhone 12 Made in India

Trump Tells Tim Cook to Stop Building iPhones in India

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:21 am PDT by
President Donald Trump has asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to halt the company's manufacturing expansion in India, in a potential disruption of Apple's plan to shift iPhone production away from China. "I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday," Trump said during his state visit to Qatar, according to Bloomberg. "He is building all over India." "They [India] have offered us a deal where...
apple music

Apple Music Gets New Transfer Tool to Make Switching From Spotify Easier

Wednesday May 14, 2025 5:17 pm PDT by
Apple this week introduced a new feature designed to allow prospective Apple Music users to import their saved music and playlists from third-party music services to Apple Music. The feature is either in an expanded testing phase or it has started rolling out, and it is available in Australia and New Zealand according to an Apple Support document. Signs of the transfer option first surfaced...
maxresdefault

Here's the First Real-World Look at Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:52 am PDT by
The first videos of Apple's CarPlay Ultra experience are now available, providing a never-before-seen look at the long-anticipated iPhone-linked infotainment software. British automaker Aston Martin today shared the first video of Apple's CarPlay Ultra experience in-action, followed by a detailed walk-through of the CarPlay Ultra system on Top Gear's YouTube channel, which provides the...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.5 With New Wallpaper, Screen Time Changes, Carrier Satellite Support for iPhone 13 and More

Monday May 12, 2025 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, the fifth updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 come a little over a month after Apple released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. The iOS 18.5 update has a...
fortnite apple logo 2

Epic Resubmits Fortnite to U.S. App Store After Not Hearing From Apple for 120+ Hours

Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:01 pm PDT by
On Friday, Epic Games submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store, and since then, we've been waiting to see if Apple would approve the game and allow it back on the iPhone and the iPad. There's been no word from Apple so far, but Epic Games opted to pull its first App Store review request, and has now resubmitted Fortnite. Fortnite leaker Shiina shared the news, with the information reposted by...

Top Rated Comments

coolfactor Avatar
17 months ago
I'm surprised this isn't done through the Power connector, given that it has a multi-pin Lightning-like connector. So there's USB on both sides of the Vision Pro. Interesting.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zakarhino Avatar
17 months ago
Wait so the right strap bracket actually contains a secret serial connector? Or am I understanding this incorrectly? Interesting
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gaximus Avatar
17 months ago

As the other connector might get dusty or even damaged by everyday use, it’s quite clever they are using a separate one as exclusive diagnostics connection.
I actually thought it replaced the battery connector side, and thought you could use it as a plug in option, then thought it was weird that the picture showed it plugged into the Mac directly(without extension usb) like you would wear it while it’s plugged in. But this makes since as you would t have to shut it down and reboot everytime you built to it. Pretty clever. Not as clever as having a built in battery so that it could swap power sources without having to shut down but clever.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolfactor Avatar
17 months ago
I miss these line-art drawings! The manuals for Macs back in the 80s and 90s were actually really fun to read.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7zeichen Avatar
17 months ago

I'm surprised this isn't done through the Power connector, given that it has a multi-pin Lightning-like connector. So there's USB on both sides of the Vision Pro. Interesting.
As the other connector might get dusty or even damaged by everyday use, it’s quite clever they are using a separate one as exclusive diagnostics connection.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shirasaki Avatar
17 months ago
Apple has been touting to cut the need for computer for about a decade. And here, this Vision Pro still needs a Mac to perform certain diagnosis and checks, rather than through iPad or iPhone.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)