Apple appears to be preparing to release an upgraded version of the Vision Pro Developer Strap next week. According to the company’s visionOS resources page, the accessory will be “available to order on October 22,” which coincides with the release date of the new M5 Vision Pro.
The Developer Strap was originally launched in February 2024, when the first Vision Pro with the M2 chip debuted in the United States. It allows developers to connect the headset to a Mac via USB-C for app development, testing, and diagnostics. The accessory is available only to Apple Developer Program members and was priced at $299.
What remains unclear is whether the new version will include any significant design or performance changes. The current Developer Strap supports USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480 Mbps, even though it technically has the capability for higher throughput, such as Thunderbolt. Developers have long requested faster data transfer rates, particularly for tasks involving Reality Composer Pro, which streams real-time visuals from the headset to a Mac.
Given Apple’s decision to update the strap at the same time as the M5 Vision Pro, it is possible that the new version will feature improved connectivity speeds or enhanced compatibility with the newer hardware. It may also retain backward compatibility with the M2 model, although Apple has not confirmed this.
Apple has made no official announcement regarding the updated Developer Strap, and none of its recent promotional material for the Vision Pro accessories—such as the new Dual Knit Band—mentioned the product. However, the October 22 order date listed on the developer site is the clearest indication yet that a refreshed strap is on the way.
If Apple introduces faster transfer speeds, the new Developer Strap could become a key tool for Vision Pro developers looking to streamline app testing and debugging. For now, the company’s website update remains the only public hint of what could be the first accessory refresh tied to the M5 Vision Pro launch.
