Here’s how you can download and install the new visionOS 27 developer beta 1 update on your M2 or M5 Apple Vision Pro.
visionOS 27 Beta 1 Arrives for Vision Pro with New Features, Download and Take it for a Spin Today
It’s definitely an exciting day, because Apple announced a new visionOS 27 update for Vision Pro users. And if you’re interested, you can take the update for a spin immediately on your headset as well.
visionOS 27 Compatible Vision Pro Headsets
There are two Vision Pro headsets out there – one with the M2 chip, which is the original one, and one with M5, which was released just a few months ago. Both headsets are compatible with the visionOS 27 update, which means you can install the beta update on it without issues.
Sign up to the Apple Developer Program
A very necessary step in order to access beta software from Apple. You can sign up to the Apple Developer Program by going to this link. Just create a free account, since you’re not distributing apps on the App Store and just want to test out beta software.
Enable visionOS 27 Beta Update on Vision Pro
First and foremost, you need to set your Vision Pro to receive visionOS 27 beta updates. You can enable it by going to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates. Once here, select visionOS 27 Developer Beta.
You Cannot Downgrade visionOS 27 Beta
The above statement is true and false at the same time. If you just have your Vision Pro headset with you, you cannot downgrade back to visionOS 26 at all. But if you own the official $299 Developer Strap, then you can downgrade the firmware at home using your Mac.
Download visionOS 27 Beta on Vision Pro
With everything out of the way, all that’s left is to download the visionOS 27 beta update itself. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Launch the Settings app.
Step 2. Select General.
Step 3. Select Software Update.
Step 4. When visionOS 27 beta shows up, select Update Now.
Please make sure that your Vision Pro headset is connected to power when the installation begins. If you have plenty of battery life remaining, that’s fine too. But connecting your headset to a wall charger ensures everything goes through smoothly.
The full and final version of visionOS 27 will become available to download later this year. There is no new Vision Pro hardware expected to arrive before, or after, the release of the software update.
visionOS 27 Beta 1 Build Number
Apple says the first beta of visionOS 27 has the following build number: 24M5291p
