Apple released visionOS 27 developer beta 1 on June 8, 2026, immediately following the WWDC26 keynote. The update, build 24M5291p, is compatible with both the Apple Vision Pro M2 and the Apple Vision Pro M5, though some new Siri features are exclusive to the M5 model. As with any early beta, this build is intended for registered developers and advanced testers. Known bugs include Spatial Personas lag during High Quality Recording, Spatial Gallery freezes, and occasional accessory tracking failures. Install it on a daily-driver headset with that in mind.
There are two ways to get visionOS 27 beta 1 onto your device: an over-the-air update through Settings, which works for most people already enrolled in the developer beta program, and a full restore via Apple Configurator for first-time enrollment or recovery situations. Both methods are covered below.
Before you begin
A few requirements apply to both methods. Your Apple Vision Pro must be signed in with the same Apple Account you use to sign into the Apple Developer website. Without that match, the developer beta will not appear as an available update. The visionOS 27 developer beta is currently limited to registered developers. A public beta is expected in July, with the full public release arriving in fall 2026, likely September.
Method 1: OTA via Settings (recommended)
- Back up your Apple Vision Pro. Before installing any beta software, back up your device using iCloud. If anything goes wrong, this is your recovery point.
- Confirm your Apple Account. Go to Settings and verify the account signed in on your Vision Pro matches the Apple Account associated with your Apple Developer membership.
- Open Software Update. Navigate to Settings, then General, then Software Update.
- Select the developer beta. Tap Beta Updates, choose the visionOS 27 Developer Beta from the list, then tap Download and Install. The update will begin downloading.
- Check battery level. Apple Vision Pro must have sufficient charge or be connected to power before installation can proceed. An alert will appear if charging is required first.
- Remove the headset when prompted. When the update is ready to install, an alert will ask you to take off your Apple Vision Pro. You can monitor installation progress on the front of the device via EyeSight while the headset sits on a surface.
Once the process completes, your Vision Pro will restart into visionOS 27 beta 1. New developer betas will appear directly in Settings going forward, so future updates in the beta cycle require no additional steps.
Method 2: Restore via Apple Configurator
This method erases the device entirely. Use it only for first-time enrollment or when the OTA path is unavailable. You will need a Mac running macOS Sonoma 14.0 or later with Apple Configurator 2.17 or later installed, plus a Developer Strap to physically connect the Vision Pro.
- Download the restore image. Go to developer.apple.com and download the latest visionOS 27 restore image to your Mac.
- Connect your Vision Pro. Attach the Developer Strap to your Apple Vision Pro, then connect it to your Mac using the strap’s USB connection.
- Trust the computer. When prompted on your Apple Vision Pro, select Trust Computer to establish the connection in Apple Configurator.
- Drag and restore. In Apple Configurator, drag the downloaded visionOS restore image onto the Apple Vision Pro icon in the device window. A confirmation prompt will warn that all contents on the device will be erased. Select Restore to proceed.
The restore process will take several minutes. The device will restart into a fresh installation of visionOS 27 beta 1 once complete. After setup, future beta updates can be installed directly from Settings, as described in Method 1.
A note on M2 vs. M5 feature availability
Both Apple Vision Pro models can install visionOS 27, but not every new feature is available on both. The M2 Apple Vision Pro cannot run Apple’s latest on-device model, which means adjustable Siri voices and the improved dictation features tied to that model are exclusive to the M5. Everything else, including the new Siri orb, Visual Intelligence, the redesigned Control Center, Safari 3D Environments, and the Thórsmörk environment, is available on both devices.
One additional caveat applies regardless of model: the option to activate Siri by looking at the orb and speaking, without saying “Hey Siri,” is disabled in beta 1. Apple has confirmed this feature is coming, but it is not functional in the current build. It is also worth noting that unlike Siri AI being delayed in the EU for iPhone and iPad, Vision Pro users in the European Union will have access to the feature from day one.
For most Vision Pro owners, the OTA Settings path is the practical route: back up, confirm your Apple Account, navigate to Software Update, and download the build. Apple Configurator is there for first-time enrollment or when a restore is needed. If you are also testing other platforms, the steps to install the iOS 27 developer beta and to install the watchOS 27 developer beta on Apple Watch follow a similar enrollment process. Given the known bugs in beta 1, the visionOS 27 developer beta install makes most sense on a secondary device or for developers actively building against the new APIs and spatial computing features.
