Apple has unveiled the visionOS 2.4 update, which introduces Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro, refines Guest Mode, and launches an iPhone app to simplify app management. Currently available in developer beta, the update is set for public release in April 2025.
Early adopters have pointed out key usability challenges since the Vision Pro’s launch. The difficulty of sharing the device, navigating the visionOS App Store, and managing apps have been persistent concerns.
VisionOS 2.4 directly addresses these problems, reinforcing Apple’s goal of making the Vision Pro a practical tool for both productivity and entertainment.
Apple Intelligence Arrives on the Vision Pro
Apple is expanding its AI-powered tools to visionOS with Apple Intelligence, bringing features already announced for iPhones and iPads to the Vision Pro.
A key highlight is Create Memory Movie, an exclusive Vision Pro feature that enables users to generate AI-curated video montages. According to Apple, “To use it, you’ll enter a description or a voice prompt, and Apple Intelligence will then either find a photo or video that best matches that description. That ‘memory movie’ can then be blown up to be viewed on a large-scale virtual screen or inside a virtual environment.”
Other AI-powered features include ChatGPT-backed writing tools, AI-generated emojis and images, and natural language search in Photos, allowing users to search for images with descriptions instead of predefined tags.
New iPhone App for Vision Pro Improves App Management
Managing apps on the Vision Pro has been a challenge, as users previously had to browse the visionOS App Store from within the headset. Apple is now solving this with a dedicated iPhone app for Vision Pro.
The app allows users to browse and install visionOS apps remotely, queue up videos for later playback, and access device information, including serial numbers. It also supports ZEISS Optical Inserts, which are prescription lens attachments for the Vision Pro. Users can store their prescription details directly in the app for easy reordering.
The Vision Pro app will be preinstalled with iOS 18.4 but can also be downloaded separately. “The app will be available to download from the App Store, and will automatically appear on a user’s iPhone once they update to iOS 18.4 and have both devices associated with the same Apple Account”, says Apple.
Guest Mode No Longer Requires the Owner to Set It Up First
Previously, enabling the Vision Pro Guest Mode required the owner to put on the Vision Pro, navigate through menus, and manually approve access.
The new update simplifies this by allowing guests to put on the headset and request access via an iPhone or iPad, letting the owner approve or deny the request remotely. Users can also choose which apps guests can access and whether to enable AirPlay mirroring.
However, Apple has retained the 30-day reset for guest profiles, meaning biometric data and settings will still be wiped monthly. This likely remains in place for security and privacy reasons, preventing long-term guest profile storage.
Apple’s Long-Term AI Strategy and Vision Pro’s Role
Apple Intelligence’s expansion to the Vision Pro reflects a broader push to integrate AI across its ecosystem.
While Apple has positioned the headset as a spatial computer rather than a traditional VR device, its software experience has lagged behind its cutting-edge display technology. The introduction of AI features marks a shift toward making the Vision Pro more proactive in assisting users.
According to Mike Rockwell, Apple’s vice president of the Vision Products Groupofficial announcement, “Apple Vision Pro is helping users communicate, collaborate, and experience entertainment in entirely new ways — and we’re continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in spatial computing with visionOS 2.4.”
Apple’s AI rollout is not limited to visionOS. Apple Intelligence is also set to expand across iPhones, iPads, and Macs, with further updates expected later in 2025. The company is focusing on AI-powered assistance, writing tools, and natural language capabilities, which could reshape how users interact with its devices.
Competition: How Apple Stacks Up Against Meta and Microsoft
Apple’s main competitor in mixed reality, Meta, has also been exploring AI-powered enhancements. Meta’s Quest headsets continue to integrate AI-driven features, particularly in user interaction and gaming.
What sets Apple apart is its ecosystem approach. The introduction of a Vision Pro-specific iPhone app, for example, reinforces Apple’s strategy of ensuring seamless cross-device integration.
Rather than forcing users to manage apps exclusively within the headset, Apple enables them to interact with visionOS in a way that feels familiar and connected to its broader software environment.
What’s Next for Vision Pro?
With visionOS 2.4 rolling out in April, Apple is gradually refining the Vision Pro into a more practical device. However, no official announcements have been made about future hardware iterations. Speculation remains about whether Apple will release a second-generation Vision Pro with a lighter design and improved battery life.
A budget Vision Pro was initially expected by 2025 and is now more likely to hit the market not before 2027. This delay contrasts with the second-generation Vision Pro, which isn’t expected until 2025/2026.
Meanwhile, Apple Intelligence is expected to expand beyond US English later this year. “In April, a software update will deliver expanded language support, with more coming throughout the year. Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages will be supported,” according to Apple.
As AI-driven functionalities become more integrated across Apple’s ecosystem, additional spatial computing enhancements could follow, further positioning the Vision Pro as a productivity and creative tool.
For now, visionOS 2.4 represents a major step toward making the Vision Pro a more accessible and feature-rich device. With AI-powered tools, improved app management, and a more flexible Guest Mode, Apple is addressing early adoption challenges while laying the foundation for its future in mixed reality.
