Apple’s new developer tools bring on-device AI to 250K+ APIs

Apple has launched a comprehensive suite of developer tools and technologies featuring on-device Apple Intelligence model access, AI-powered coding assistance in Xcode 26, and a new “Liquid Glass” design system across all Apple platforms. The announcement positions Apple to empower developers with advanced AI capabilities while maintaining its focus on privacy and seamless integration across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26.

The big picture: Apple is betting on AI-enhanced development tools to help developers create more intelligent apps while keeping processing on-device for privacy protection.

• The Foundation Models framework allows developers to integrate Apple Intelligence with just three lines of Swift code, enabling AI inference at no cost while maintaining offline functionality.
• Over 250,000 APIs now span machine learning, augmented reality, health and fitness, spatial computing, and high-performance graphics capabilities.

What you should know: The new Liquid Glass design material creates a unified visual experience across all Apple platforms.

• This software-based material combines optical glass qualities with fluid movement, extending from small UI elements like buttons and switches to larger components like tab bars and sidebars.
• The new Icon Composer app helps developers create consistent app icons with advanced features including blurring, translucency adjustment, and specular highlight testing.
• Native frameworks like SwiftUI provide everything developers need to adopt the new design system.

Key Xcode 26 features: Large language model integration transforms the coding experience with built-in intelligence features.

• Developers can connect ChatGPT directly into Xcode without creating an account, with subscribers accessing more requests through their existing accounts.
• Coding Tools provide contextual suggestions like generating previews, creating playgrounds, or fixing issues directly inline with code.
• Additional improvements include redesigned navigation, enhanced localization catalog, and improved Voice Control support for dictating Swift code.

Foundation Models framework capabilities: The new framework enables privacy-focused AI development with native Swift support.

• Guided generation, tool calling, and other generative capabilities integrate seamlessly into existing apps.
• Automattic, the company behind WordPress, is already using the framework in its Day One journaling app to deliver privacy-centric intelligence features.

What they’re saying: Industry leaders highlight the framework’s potential for respecting user privacy while delivering intelligent experiences.

• “The Foundation Model framework has helped us rethink what’s possible with journaling,” said Paul Mayne, head of Day One at Automattic. “Now we can bring intelligence and privacy together in ways that deeply respect our users.”
• “Developers play a vital role in shaping the experiences customers love across Apple platforms,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “With access to the on-device Apple Intelligence foundation model and new intelligence features in Xcode 26, we’re empowering developers to build richer, more intuitive apps for users everywhere.”

Gaming and visual intelligence updates: Apple introduced significant enhancements for game developers and visual search capabilities.

• Game Porting Toolkit 3 provides updated evaluation and profiling tools, while Metal 4 exclusively supports Apple silicon with advanced graphics and machine learning technologies.
• App Intents now supports visual intelligence, allowing apps like Etsy to provide visual search results directly within the system experience.
• The new Apple Games app creates an all-in-one destination for players across iPhone, iPad, and Mac platforms.

Developer tools and accessibility: New frameworks and safety features expand development capabilities.

• Swift 6.2 introduces WebAssembly support and simplified single-threaded code writing with enhanced concurrency checking.
• The Containerization framework enables creating and running Linux container images directly on Mac with secure isolation.
• New Accessibility Nutrition Labels help users understand app accessibility features before downloading, while the Declared Age Range API enables age-appropriate content delivery with privacy protection.

Availability: All features are available for testing through the Apple Developer Program starting today, with a public beta coming next month through the Apple Beta Software Program.