WWDC 2022

Apple in April announced that WWDC 2022 will be held in early June, with the event running from June 6 through June 10. The 33rd Worldwide Developers Conference will once again be a digital-only event with no physical gathering due to the ongoing global health crisis.

WWDC 2020 and WWDC 2021 were both held digitally for the same reason, and the 2022 event is following the same format used for these two prior years. WWDC 2022 will be a free event for all developers, and because it's going to be an online event, developers worldwide will be able to attend to get access to future versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, as well as engage with Apple engineers through engineering sessions, one-on-one lab appointments, and the Apple Developer Forums.

Apple is also planning to hold an in-person event for some developers and students, inviting them to watch the WWDC keynote recording at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. This will be an invite-only event, and developers and students will be able to apply. Apple is also once again hosting a Swift Student Challenge with WWDC 2022 swag available as a reward.

To kick off the Worldwide Developers Conference each year, Apple holds a keynote event to introduce new software and occasionally, new hardware. 2020 and 2021 were software-only events with Apple debuting no hardware, so it's not yet clear if we will see hardware products this year.

Apple will stream the event on Apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple Developer website, the Apple TV, and YouTube.

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The Worldwide Developers Conference typically takes place during the first or second week of June, and this year is no exception, running from Monday, June 6 through Friday, June 10. The keynote event will take place on Monday, June 6 with the livestream kicking off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

Though WWDC 2022 is being held digitally, Apple plans to host an in-person viewing event at Apple Park for some select developers and students. Apple has described the in-person component as a "special day" on June 6 that will bring some attendees together to watch the event on Apple's campus.

Apple allowed developers and students to apply for an opportunity to visit Apple Park for the viewing party, but space was limited. Developers were able to enter the lottery for a spot between May 9 and May 11, and those selected have now been informed.

The viewing party will include the keynote event at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time and the Platforms State of the Union at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Apple also plans to host the annual Apple Design Awards at 5:00 p.m., though it is not clear if that will be broadcast as part of the event.

With every WWDC event, Apple hosts a Swift Student Challenge, which is a coding challenge that tasks students with creating a Swift Playgrounds 4 project on the topic of their choice.

Students who are selected as Swift Student Challenge winners in past years received an invite to the in-person WWDC event, but as WWDC is digital, this year's winners will receive WWDC 2022 outerwear, a customized WWDC 2022 pin set, and a one-year membership in the Apple Developer Program.

The deadline for submissions was April 24 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, and applicants were selected by the end of the day on May 24. More details on the challenge are available on Apple's developer website.

Apple is expected to introduce iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, tvOS 16, and watchOS 9 at WWDC 2022. After debuting the new operating system updates, Apple will provide the software to developers for testing purposes ahead of a fall launch.

iOS 16

We don't know a lot about the new software updates at this time, but as WWDC approaches, rumors are starting to pick up. No major design changes are coming this year, but there are some interesting new features that we're beginning to hear about.

Interface Tweaks

At least one iPhone will have a hole-punch display design instead of a notch, which will require interface changes and updates to the area around the status bar, and there are also rumors about car crash detection and emergency satellite features.

Notifications

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, iOS 16 will bring "significant" improvements to notifications, though there are no details at this time on just what that means.

Health App

Apple plans to introduce an updated version of the Health app that will expand sleep tracking functionality and medicine management. Apple is developing a medicine management tool that will let users scan their pill bottles into the app, but the initial version of the feature is unlikely to include all of the planned functionality. The Health app is also set to gain new women's health features.

Services

Apple is working on several new services that will be integrated into iOS, and which are likely to come as part of the iOS 16 launch. A buy now, pay later feature for Apple Pay will allow customers to pay for Apple Pay purchases in installments over time, similar to pay later services like Klarna. Buy now, pay later is expected to launch in 2022.

Apple is also working on a hardware subscription program that will let customers pay a monthly fee for an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, making the process of purchasing a device on par with buying iCloud storage or getting an Apple Music subscription. This could come by the end of 2022, or later in 2023, if Apple doesn't cancel it entirely.

Read More

We have a dedicated roundup on what we might see in iOS 16, which is worth checking out if you're curious about what could be coming at WWDC.

iPadOS 16

Though details are scarce at this time, Apple may be planning a new multitasking interface for the iPad.

watchOS 9

watchOS 9 is set to introduce a new power saving mode that will reduce the amount of battery life that Apple Watch features use up, prolonging the battery. The current "Power Reserve" mode limits Apple Watch functionality to just the time, but the new power saving mode will let Apple Watch owners use apps and features while still cutting down on battery life.

Apple in watchOS 9 is also planning to expand atrial fibrillation detection to calculate "burden," or how often a person is in a state of atrial fibrillation across a certain period of time.

Apple will also add more workout types and metrics related to running in the Workout app on the watch, and it will refresh some of the existing watch faces with an updated look.

Hardware has become increasingly rare at WWDC, but there are rumors that Apple might possibly introduce its upcoming Mac Pro and/or an AR/VR headset at WWDC to give developers time to create apps and experiences for the devices ahead of their launch.

Mac Pro

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who often provides accurate insight into Apple's plans, said in February that Apple has Macs that are ready to launch in May or June, which indicates that we could see something unveiled at WWDC.

We know Apple is working on an updated version of the Mac Pro with the most powerful Apple silicon chips to date, and the last time Apple had a major Mac Pro refresh, details were unveiled at WWDC. It would make sense for Apple to preview the Mac Pro at WWDC prior to a fall launch in order to give developers time to build pro apps for the new chips.

AR/VR Headset

Apple has been working on the AR/VR (or "mixed reality") headset for some time now, and it's not yet known if it's going to be ready for a WWDC 2022 reveal, so Apple could push it to 2023. Below, we've highlighted some of the features expected with the headset just in case it does see a WWDC unveiling, and more information can be found in our dedicated AR/VR roundup.

• Wraparound VR headset look
• Oculus Quest-style design that's sleek and lightweight, using an Apple Watch style strap and a soft mesh around the eyes.
• Two high-resolution micro OLED displays, possible third display for peripheral vision
• Super fast chip that outperforms the M1
• Over a dozen cameras for tracking hand movements and viewing the outside world
• Eye tracking for controls and features based on eye movements
• Gesture-based controls
• Dedicated App Store with focus on gaming, streaming video content, and video conferencing
• $3000+ price tag

WWDC 2021

WWDC 2021 focused on software instead of hardware, with Apple introducing iOS 15, iPadOS 15, tvOS 15, macOS Monterey, and watchOS 8. Apple also introduced iCloud+, a suite of new privacy-focused features that are available for its paid iCloud plans, priced starting at $0.99 per month.

iOS 15

• Apple Announces iOS 15: First Look at New Features
• Apple Unveils New FaceTime Features Like Spatial Audio, SharePlay, Voice Isolation, and More
• iOS 15 Features Redesigned Notifications and New Notification Summary Sorted by Priority
• Apple Reveals Redesigned Weather iOS App With Dark Sky-Like Notifications and Full-Screen Maps
• iOS 15 Includes Built-In Password Authenticator With Autofill, Replacing Google Authenticator and Authy
• iOS 15 Brings FaceTime to PC and Android Users With New Option to Join on the Web
• New Separation Alerts in iOS 15 Let You Know If You Leave an AirTag or Apple Device Behind
• iOS 15 Find My App Lets You Find Devices That Are Turned Off or Erased
• iOS 15 Lets Your Family Access Your Data If You Die
• iOS 15 Tidbits: Text Cursor Magnifier, New Dial Picker, Custom Text Size Per App, and More
• iOS 15 Finally Lets You Block Your Exes From Ruining Your Photo Memories
• iOS 15 Allows You to Request Refunds for In-App Purchases Directly Within Apps

iPadOS 15

• Apple Introduces iPadOS 15: First Look at New Features
• iPadOS 15 Features Widgets Anywhere on Home Screen and App Library
• iPadOS 15 Allows You to Build iPhone and iPad Apps on an iPad
• iPhone Apps on iPadOS 15 Now Run in Landscape

macOS Monterey

• Apple Announces macOS Monterey With Shortcuts App, Updated Safari Browsing, 'Focus' Do Not Disturb Features, and More
• Shortcuts App Coming to Mac, Automator Will Remain Supported
• Apple Brings Low Power Mode to Mac and iPad With macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15
• Apple Highlights New Privacy Features in iOS 15 and macOS Monterey, Including Microphone Indicator on Mac
• macOS Monterey to Support All-New Mail App Extensions, Plug-Ins Will Stop Functioning in Future Release
• macOS Monterey Allows You to Erase a Mac Without Needing to Reinstall the Operating System
• Newer Macs Can Use Another Mac as an External Display on macOS Monterey
• macOS Monterey Automatically Resizes Windows Moved to a Secondary Display

watchOS 8

• Apple Reveals watchOS 8: First Look at New Features
• Apple Unveils New Health App Features Like Walking Steadiness, Trends, Lab Results, Health Sharing, and More
• Apple Watch Introducing New Tai Chi and Pilates Workout Types in watchOS 8
• Apple Bringing New Portrait Mode Photo Watch Face to watchOS 8
• watchOS 8 Allows Users to Set Multiple Timers

tvOS 15

• Apple Announces Range of New Home Features for HomePod Mini, Apple TV, and Apple Watch
• HomePod Mini Launching in More Countries, Can Be Used as Apple TV Speaker Starting This Fall
• With tvOS 15, You Can Sign Into Apps Using Face ID or Touch ID on Your iPhone

iCloud+

• Apple Announces iCloud+, Combines Paid Storage With Privacy Features Like Hide My Email
• iCloud+ to Let iCloud Mail Users Personalize Their Email Domain Name

WWDC 2020

While WWDC 2020 also didn't see the introduction of any new hardware, there were significant operating system updates across Apple's platforms, and we also heard about Apple's long-rumored transition from Intel processors to Apple Silicon for its Mac lineup.

iOS 14

• iOS 14 Features New Translate App With Support for 11 Languages and Offline Mode
• iOS 14 Includes Picture-in-Picture Mode for iPhone
• iOS 14 Adds Subtle Design for Siri That Doesn't Take Up Entire Screen
• iPhone and Apple Watch Becoming Digital Car Keys, Feature Rolling Out to BMW Customers Next Month
• New iOS 14 Feature 'App Clips' Lets You Access Small Part of an App
• iMessage in iOS 14: Mentions, Pinned Conversations, Inline Replies, and More
• Phone Calls Will Finally Stop Taking Up the Entire Screen in iOS 14
• iOS 14 Compatible With iPhone 6s and 6s Plus and Later
• Find My App Gaining Support for Third-Party Products
• Emoji Search Finally Coming to iOS in iOS 14
• Apple Seeds First Betas of iOS and iPadOS 14 to Developers
• iOS 14 Lets Developers Make Subscriptions Available for Family Sharing
• Third-Party Mail and Browser Apps Able to Be Set as Default in iOS and iPadOS 14
• iOS 14 Tidbits and Hidden Features: Privacy Updates, Emoji Picker, New Dark Sky Weather Forecasts and More

iPadOS 14

• iPadOS 14 Features Enhanced UIs for Native Apps, Universal Search, New Handwriting Support with Apple Pencil, and More

macOS Big Sur

• macOS 'Big Sur' Unveiled With Updated Design, New Features for Safari and Messages, and More
• Apple Previews Big Update to Safari on Mac, Featuring New Privacy Tools, Built-in Translation, Improved Tabs, and More
• macOS Big Sur Listed as 'Version 11.0' in System Preferences
• Apple Seeds First Beta of macOS Big Sur to Developers for Testing Purposes
• Apple Adds WebP Image Support in Safari 14
• List of Macs Compatible with macOS Big Sur

watchOS 7

• Apple Announces watchOS 7 With Enhanced Face Customizations, Handwashing Detection, and More
• Apple Watch Getting Hand Washing Feature With 20-Second Countdown and Haptic Feedback
• watchOS 7 Adds New Sleep Tracking Feature to Apple Watch
• Apple Releases First Beta of New watchOS 7 Update to Developers
• watchOS 7 Only Compatible With Apple Watch Series 3 and Later

tvOS 14

• Apple Seeds First Beta of tvOS 14 to Developers
• tvOS 14 Brings Apple TV Support for AirPods Audio Sharing and Watching YouTube Videos in 4K

Apple Silicon Chips

• Apple Transitioning Macs to Custom Chips With 'Incredible' Performance Within the Next Two Years
• Apple's $500 Developer Program Includes Tools and Resources for Transitioning to Apple Silicon, Plus a Loaner A12Z-Based Mac Mini

AirPods

• AirPods Getting Automatic Switching Between Apple Devices, Theater-Like 'Spatial Audio' Coming to AirPods Pro

Other Announcements

• Complete Transcript of Apple's Keynote
• Revamped Apple Maps App Expanding to UK, Ireland, and Canada Later This Year
• HomePod Gaining Support for Third-Party Music Services
• Apple's Digital Car Key Coming to Broad Array of BMW Models Manufactured After July 1, Requires iOS 13.6
• Apple Shares Teaser for Upcoming Apple TV+ Series 'Foundation'
• Apple Announces ARKit 4 with Location Anchors, Depth API, and Improved Face Tracking
• Apple's Craig Federighi Highlights iOS 14 and MacOS Big Sur Privacy Updates in New Interview

WWDC 2019

At WWDC 2019, Apple debuted new versions of iOS, iPadOS (now separate from iOS!), macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, all of which have a long list of new features, plus Apple gave us a peek at the new Mac Pro and 6K Apple Display.

iOS 13

• Apple Unveils iOS 13 Featuring Dark Mode, Swipe Keyboard, Performance Improvements, and More

• iOS 13 Adds Swipe Keyboard Named QuickPath to iPhone

• iOS 13 Gaining Revamped Reminders App and Enhanced Apple Maps

• Apple Announces 'Sign in With Apple' for Signing into Apps Using Your Apple ID

• Sign In With Apple Will Be Required for Apps That Offer Third-Party Sign-In Options

• Apple Updating Messages in iOS 13 With User Profiles and Memoji Stickers

• Apple Unveils New Photo Browsing and Editing Features Coming With iOS 13

• First Betas of iOS 13 and iPadOS Now Available for Registered Developers With Dark Mode, New Find My App, Performance Optimizations and More

• iOS 13 is Compatible With iPhone SE and Later, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus Not Supported

• iOS 13 Will Let You Download Large Apps Over Cellular

• Here's the New iOS 13 Volume Indicator

• Check Out Dark Mode in iOS 13

iPadOS 13

• Apple Unveils 'iPadOS' Designed Specifically for the iPad's Larger Display

• Apple's New iPadOS Software Includes Mouse Support as an Accessibility Option

• Apple's New iPadOS Software Includes Additional Keyboard Shortcuts

macOS Catalina

• Apple Announces 'macOS Catalina' With Separate Apple Music, Podcasts, and TV Apps

• Apple's New 'Find My' App for macOS and iOS Can Find Your Devices Even When They're Offline

• Apple Introduces Sidecar App for Using an iPad as a Mac's Secondary Display

• Apple Reveals 'Voice Control' Accessibility Feature Coming to Mac and iOS

• Apple Seeds First Beta of macOS 10.15 Catalina to Developers

• Here Are All the Macs Compatible With macOS Catalina

tvOS 13

• Apple Reveals tvOS 13 With New Home Screen and Support for Multiple User Profiles

• Apple TV Gaining Xbox One and PlayStation 4 Controller Support

• Apple Seeds First Beta of tvOS 13 to Developers

watchOS 6

• Apple Unveils WatchOS 6 With Dedicated App Store, New Apple Watch Faces and Native Apps

• Apple Watch Getting New Health Features, Including Noise App and Menstrual Cycle Tracking

• Apple Releases First Beta of New watchOS 6 Operating System to Developers

• Here Are All the Apple Watch Models Compatible With watchOS 6

New Mac Pro and HDR Display

• Apple Reveals All-New Mac Pro With Up to 28-Core Processor and 1.5TB of RAM, Starting at $5,999

• Apple Unveils 32-inch 6K 'Pro Display XDR' Monitor Starting at $4,999

• Adobe and Other Developers Are 'Incredibly Excited' About New Mac Pro

• The Stand for Apple's New $4,999 Pro Display Costs an Extra $999

• Roundup: First-Look Impressions of the New Mac Pro

WWDC 2018

At WWDC 2018, Apple made the following software and hardware announcements:

• Apple Reveals iOS 12 With Digital Health Features, Group FaceTime, Memoji, and More

• Apple Creates 'Measure', an Augmented-Reality Measuring Tape App

• Apple Announces New USDZ Augmented Reality File Format Coming in iOS 12

• Apple Unveils 'ARKit 2' and Showcases New LEGO AR App That Interacts With Physical Sets

• Apple Unveils New 'For You' Tab and Sharing Suggestions Coming to Photos in iOS 12

• Apple Details Siri Updates Alongside 'Shortcuts' App to Create Customized Voice-Controlled Workflows

• Google Maps and Waze Coming to CarPlay in iOS 12

• Apple Introduces Memoji: Personalized, Animated Emojis Coming in iOS 12

• Group FaceTime Chats Coming to iOS 12, Supports Up to 32 Simultaneous Users

• Apple Explains How iOS 12 Will 'Help You Limit Distractions' With New 'Screen Time' Settings and More

• First Beta of iOS 12 Now Available for Registered Developers

• iOS 12 Includes Setting to Disable USB Access When an iPhone Hasn't Been Unlocked for More Than an Hour

• iOS 12 Hidden Features: New Close App Gesture on iPhone X, Revamped iPad Gestures, Screen Time Widget and More

• Apple Revamps App Store Guidelines, Sets New Rules for Remote Mirroring Apps Like Steam Link

• Apple Announces macOS 10.14 Mojave, Featuring New Dark Mode, Desktop Stacks, a Redesigned Mac App Store, and More

• Apple's Mac App Store Updating With All-New Design Inspired by iOS

• Safari Browser in iOS 12 and macOS Mojave to Feature Enhanced Privacy Tools

• Apple Seeds First Beta of macOS Mojave to Developers

• macOS 10.14 Mojave Drops Support for Many Older Machines

• Apple Reveals tvOS 12 With Dolby Atmos Support for Apple TV 4K, Aerial Screensaver Updates, and More

• Apple's watchOS 5 Adds Automatic Workout Detection, Walkie-Talkie, and More

• Apple Watch Gaining New 'Walkie-Talkie' App in watchOS 5 so You Can Quickly Talk to Friends

• Apple Watch Owners Can Compete in watchOS 5, Auto-Detection of Workouts Coming Too

• Apple Releases First Beta of New watchOS 5 Operating System to Developers

• Apple Provides First Beta of tvOS 12 to Developers

• watchOS 5 Not Available for Original Apple Watch

• Live From WWDC 2018: Coverage of Apple's Keynote with iOS 12, macOS 10.14, and More

• Apple Launches New 2018 Pride Band for Apple Watch, Available to Buy Today

• College Student ID Support Coming to iPhone and Apple Watch

• Apple Introduces Apple Watch Bands and iPhone Cases in Summer Colors

• Apple Replaces 29W USB-C Power Adapter With New 30W Version

• There's Still No Sign of Apple's AirPower Charging Mat

• Apple's iOS App Store Will Top $100B Paid Out to Developers This Week, Ahead of 10th Anniversary in July

• Apple to Open Patient Health Records to Third-Party Apps

• Everything Apple Announced at WWDC 2018 in Six Minutes

• Apple Launches New 'App Store Connect' App for Developers

• Apple Announces 2018 Apple Design Award Winners

• Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Privacy is a Fundamental Human Right'

WWDC 2017

At WWDC 2017, Apple made the following software and hardware announcements:

• iOS 11 Preview: Enhanced Siri, Voice Translation, Unified Control Center & More

• Apple Reveals 'macOS High Sierra' With APFS, Metal 2, and Refinements to Safari and Other Apps

• Apple Releasing 'ARKit' for iOS Developers to Fuel All-New Augmented Reality Apps

• watchOS 4 Bringing New Interface, Apple News, New Music App & Gym Machine Support

• Apple Announces New 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro Models With Advanced Displays

• Apple Updates Entire MacBook Line-Up With Kaby Lake CPUs, Faster SSDs, and Graphics

• Apple Reveals New 'iMac Pro' Built for Users With Demanding Workflows, Starting at $5K

• Apple Unveils $349 HomePod Smart Speaker to be Available in December

• Apple Refreshes 21.5-Inch and 27-Inch iMacs With Brighter Displays, Kaby Lake Processors, and Faster Storage

WWDC 2016

At WWDC 2016, Apple made the following announcements:

• Apple Announces iOS 10 With Overhauled Messages App, Rich Notifications, and More

• Apple Unveils macOS 'Sierra' With New Continuity Features, Window Tabs, Apple Watch Login, Siri, and More

• Apple Announces watchOS 3 With Dock, Control Center, New Watch Faces and Apps, and More

• Apple Debuts New tvOS Features Including 'Single Sign-On', Enhanced Siri and More

WWDC 2015

At WWDC 2015, Apple unveiled the following services and software:

• Apple Announces iOS 9 With Proactive Siri, Maps Transit, iPad Multitasking and More

• Apple Announces OS X El Capitan With Split View, Contextual Spotlight, Updated Apps and More, Launches in Fall

• Apple Announces watchOS 2 With Native Apps, Third-Party Complications, and More

• Apple Announces 'Apple Music' With 'Beats 1' Live Radio Station, Launches June 30 for $9.99/Month

WWDC 2014

At WWDC 2014, Apple unveiled the following services and software:

• Apple Announces OS X Yosemite with Improved Cross-Device Connectivity and New User Interface

• Apple Announces iOS 8 with Interactive Notifications, QuickType, More

• Apple Announces 'iCloud Drive' and 'Mail Drop' Features for OS X Yosemite

• Apple Updates iMessage with Improved Group Messaging and Video and Audio Messages

• 'QuickType' Keyboard for iOS 8 Offers Context-Aware Predictive Typing Suggestions

• iOS 8 to Include Support for System Wide Third-Party Keyboards

• Apple to Enhance App Store with 'Explore' Tab, App Bundles, Beta Testing, and More

• Apple to Discontinue Support for iPhone 4 in iOS 8

• Apple Announces Significant SDK Improvements with New 'Swift' Programming Language, CloudKit and More

WWDC 2013

At 2013's WWDC, Apple unveiled iOS 7, OS X Mavericks, iWork for iCloud, the Mac Pro, and new MacBook Airs.

WWDC 2012

2012's event saw the introduction of the MacBook Pro with Retina Display, iOS 6 and its standalone Maps app, OS X Mountain Lion, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air updates, and a redesigned AirPort Express.