WWDC 2021

Apple has announced that its 2021 WWDC will take place from June 7 to June 11, with the 32nd Worldwide Developers Conference again planned to be a digital-only event with no physical gathering due to the ongoing global health crisis.

WWDC 2020 was the first WWDC event to be held digitally, and the 2021 conference will be modeled after the 2020 version.

WWDC 2021 will be free for all developers, and as it is held online, developers worldwide will be able to attend to get access to future versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, as well as engage with Apple engineers through engineering sessions, one-on-one lab appointments, and the Apple Developer Forums, which were revamped and improved ahead of WWDC 2021.

As is tradition, Apple will hold a kickoff keynote event for WWDC 2021 on Monday, June 7 to introduce new software, with the event set to be streamed on Apple.com, the Apple TV app on the Apple TV, and YouTube.

• How to Watch Apple's WWDC 2021 Keynote on June 7

In past years, WWDC has taken place at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California, with Apple charging $1,599 for a ticket, but as with the 2020 event, developers will not need to pay to participate in 2021.

Apple will provide a full digital WWDC experience, and in addition to the keynote, the company will offer a Platforms State of the Union for developers, technical and design-focused engineering sessions, Apple Developer Forums with Apple engineer participation, and one-on-one developer labs. Apple is also rolling out a new Pavilions feature in 2021 that will let attendees plan their conference experience around specific themes like SwiftUI, Accessibility & Inclusion, and more.

As of June 1, developers are able to sign up for Digital Lounges, which are digital spaces where they're able to interact with Apple engineers and designers to ask questions and participate in activities related to developer tools, SwiftUI, accessibility, and machine learning.

Apple revamped its Developer app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac for the 2021 event in March to improve navigation and to make it easier to access new content, and in June, added access to all upcoming WWDC 2021 content.

For students, Apple hosted a Swift Student Challenge that asks them to create an interactive scene in the Swift Playgrounds app. In past years, winning this challenge provided students with a scholarship to attend WWDC, but this year, winners received exclusive WWDC 2021 apparel, a customized pin set, and a one-year free membership to the Apple Developer Program. Students had until April 18 to enter, and Apple unveiled the winners on June 1.

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Software

Apple is working on new versions of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, tvOS 15, and macOS 12. We don't know a lot about these operating system updates as of right now, but we have heard a few details about iOS 15.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, iOS 15 will include an updated Lock Screen, plus new privacy and notification features. We've also heard less reliable rumors about iOS 15, and many of the features remain a mystery. What we do know is outlined below.

Notification Updates

Users will be able to set different notification preferences based on current status, so if you're awake for example, you may get notifications with sound, while sound might be disabled if you're sleeping.

Users will be able to choose categories like driving, working, or sleeping, plus there will be an option to create custom categories for handling notifications in different ways. The menu options for choosing a mode will be available on the Lock Screen and in the Control Center.

Apple is also adding new options for setting automatic replies to incoming messages based on these statuses. The only currently available auto-reply option works when driving but not in other situations.

iMessage

There are updates to iMessage in the works, though specifics are not available at this time. Apple is said to be aiming to better compete with WhatsApp.

Privacy

Apple will add a new menu that shows which apps are silently collecting data from users, with Apple aiming to increase device privacy even further.

Food Tracking

An unconfirmed rumor suggests that Apple plans to add a new food tracking feature to the Health app, but it is unclear how expansive this feature might be. It could potentially allow users to log the food items that they consume, providing nutritional details and calorie tracking functionality. It is not known if users will need to manually enter all info or if Apple is working on some kind of food database.

Settings App Updates

We could see minor user interface changes that were spotted in screenshots of Accessibility features believed to be coming in ‌iOS 15‌, unveiling inset cells and merged navigation bars in the Settings app.

iPadOS Additions

For the iPad, Apple is planning to introduce a new Home Screen for the iPad. Users will be able to place widgets anywhere on the Home Screen, and an entire app grid will be replaceable with widgets.

Other New iOS Features

The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern said on the Friday before WWDC that she's heard Apple will introduce improvements to Safari, iMessage, Maps, and Health, but she did not provide additional context.

HomeOS?

In the days ahead of WWDC, Apple posted a job listing that mentioned "homeOS," an operating system that does not exist at the current time. The name was later removed from the job listing and Apple updated it to say "HomePod and tvOS" instead, but it is a hint that Apple could perhaps be planning to rename tvOS to homeOS as both the Apple TV and the HomePod run a version of tvOS.

It's also possible that Apple will introduce a new homeOS operating system in addition to tvOS.

Hardware

Leaker Jon Prosser claims that Apple plans to introduce new 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models at the Worldwide Developer's Conference. It's not unheard of for Apple to unveil new hardware at WWDC, but it hasn't happened since 2016.

Analysts from Wedbush and Morgan Stanley have also said that new Apple silicon Macs could debut at WWDC, but a recent DigiTimes report said that redesigned MacBook Pro models won't be shipping to customers until late 2021, so it's unclear what's going to happen. Other reports have also previously pointed toward a launch date later in the year.

Ahead of WWDC, MacRumors did discover evidence of the next-generation 16-inch MacBook Pro in a Chinese regulatory database. Apple supplier Sunwoda Electronic shared details on a battery with the Apple-style model identifier A2327 rated at 8,693 mAh/11.45V, which is similar to the battery of the current MacBook Pro (8,790 mAh/11.36V).

This doesn't necessarily suggest an imminent launch at WWDC, but it confirms that a new MacBook Pro is in development and could potentially be nearing completion.

The new MacBook Pros will feature the most radical redesign to the MacBook Pro lineup since 2016. Apple is planning to reintroduce the MagSafe port, and the 2021 MacBook Pro models will feature an HDMI port and an SD card reader in addition to a trio of Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, and multiple color options are a possibility.

There will be no Touch Bar included, with Apple returning to a traditional row of function keys, and there will be a redesigned thermal system to accommodate the upgraded Apple silicon chips that the machines are expected to include.

The new MacBook Pro models will feature 10-core Apple silicon chips with eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores, along with 16 or 32-core GPU options and support for up to 64GB RAM.

WWDC 2020

While WWDC didn't see the introduction of any new hardware, there were significant operating system updates across Apple's platforms, and we also heard about Apple's long-rumored transition from Intel processors to Apple Silicon for its Mac lineup.

iOS 14

• iOS 14 Features New Translate App With Support for 11 Languages and Offline Mode
• iOS 14 Includes Picture-in-Picture Mode for iPhone
• iOS 14 Adds Subtle Design for Siri That Doesn't Take Up Entire Screen
• iPhone and Apple Watch Becoming Digital Car Keys, Feature Rolling Out to BMW Customers Next Month
• New iOS 14 Feature 'App Clips' Lets You Access Small Part of an App
• iMessage in iOS 14: Mentions, Pinned Conversations, Inline Replies, and More
• Phone Calls Will Finally Stop Taking Up the Entire Screen in iOS 14
• iOS 14 Compatible With iPhone 6s and 6s Plus and Later
• Find My App Gaining Support for Third-Party Products
• Emoji Search Finally Coming to iOS in iOS 14
• Apple Seeds First Betas of iOS and iPadOS 14 to Developers
• iOS 14 Lets Developers Make Subscriptions Available for Family Sharing
• Third-Party Mail and Browser Apps Able to Be Set as Default in iOS and iPadOS 14
• iOS 14 Tidbits and Hidden Features: Privacy Updates, Emoji Picker, New Dark Sky Weather Forecasts and More

iPadOS 14

• iPadOS 14 Features Enhanced UIs for Native Apps, Universal Search, New Handwriting Support with Apple Pencil, and More

macOS Big Sur

• macOS 'Big Sur' Unveiled With Updated Design, New Features for Safari and Messages, and More
• Apple Previews Big Update to Safari on Mac, Featuring New Privacy Tools, Built-in Translation, Improved Tabs, and More
• macOS Big Sur Listed as 'Version 11.0' in System Preferences
• Apple Seeds First Beta of macOS Big Sur to Developers for Testing Purposes
• Apple Adds WebP Image Support in Safari 14
• List of Macs Compatible with macOS Big Sur

watchOS 7

• Apple Announces watchOS 7 With Enhanced Face Customizations, Handwashing Detection, and More
• Apple Watch Getting Hand Washing Feature With 20-Second Countdown and Haptic Feedback
• watchOS 7 Adds New Sleep Tracking Feature to Apple Watch
• Apple Releases First Beta of New watchOS 7 Update to Developers
• watchOS 7 Only Compatible With Apple Watch Series 3 and Later

tvOS 14

• Apple Seeds First Beta of tvOS 14 to Developers
• tvOS 14 Brings Apple TV Support for AirPods Audio Sharing and Watching YouTube Videos in 4K

Apple Silicon Chips

• Apple Transitioning Macs to Custom Chips With 'Incredible' Performance Within the Next Two Years
• Apple's $500 Developer Program Includes Tools and Resources for Transitioning to Apple Silicon, Plus a Loaner A12Z-Based Mac Mini

AirPods

• AirPods Getting Automatic Switching Between Apple Devices, Theater-Like 'Spatial Audio' Coming to AirPods Pro

Other Announcements

• Complete Transcript of Apple's Keynote
• Revamped Apple Maps App Expanding to UK, Ireland, and Canada Later This Year
• HomePod Gaining Support for Third-Party Music Services
• Apple's Digital Car Key Coming to Broad Array of BMW Models Manufactured After July 1, Requires iOS 13.6
• Apple Shares Teaser for Upcoming Apple TV+ Series 'Foundation'
• Apple Announces ARKit 4 with Location Anchors, Depth API, and Improved Face Tracking
• Apple's Craig Federighi Highlights iOS 14 and MacOS Big Sur Privacy Updates in New Interview

WWDC 2019

At WWDC 2019, Apple debuted new versions of iOS, iPadOS (now separate from iOS!), macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, all of which have a long list of new features, plus Apple gave us a peek at the new Mac Pro and 6K Apple Display.

iOS 13

• Apple Unveils iOS 13 Featuring Dark Mode, Swipe Keyboard, Performance Improvements, and More

• iOS 13 Adds Swipe Keyboard Named QuickPath to iPhone

• iOS 13 Gaining Revamped Reminders App and Enhanced Apple Maps

• Apple Announces 'Sign in With Apple' for Signing into Apps Using Your Apple ID

• Sign In With Apple Will Be Required for Apps That Offer Third-Party Sign-In Options

• Apple Updating Messages in iOS 13 With User Profiles and Memoji Stickers

• Apple Unveils New Photo Browsing and Editing Features Coming With iOS 13

• First Betas of iOS 13 and iPadOS Now Available for Registered Developers With Dark Mode, New Find My App, Performance Optimizations and More

• iOS 13 is Compatible With iPhone SE and Later, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus Not Supported

• iOS 13 Will Let You Download Large Apps Over Cellular

• Here's the New iOS 13 Volume Indicator

• Check Out Dark Mode in iOS 13

iPadOS 13

• Apple Unveils 'iPadOS' Designed Specifically for the iPad's Larger Display

• Apple's New iPadOS Software Includes Mouse Support as an Accessibility Option

• Apple's New iPadOS Software Includes Additional Keyboard Shortcuts

macOS Catalina

• Apple Announces 'macOS Catalina' With Separate Apple Music, Podcasts, and TV Apps

• Apple's New 'Find My' App for macOS and iOS Can Find Your Devices Even When They're Offline

• Apple Introduces Sidecar App for Using an iPad as a Mac's Secondary Display

• Apple Reveals 'Voice Control' Accessibility Feature Coming to Mac and iOS

• Apple Seeds First Beta of macOS 10.15 Catalina to Developers

• Here Are All the Macs Compatible With macOS Catalina

tvOS 13

• Apple Reveals tvOS 13 With New Home Screen and Support for Multiple User Profiles

• Apple TV Gaining Xbox One and PlayStation 4 Controller Support

• Apple Seeds First Beta of tvOS 13 to Developers

watchOS 6

• Apple Unveils WatchOS 6 With Dedicated App Store, New Apple Watch Faces and Native Apps

• Apple Watch Getting New Health Features, Including Noise App and Menstrual Cycle Tracking

• Apple Releases First Beta of New watchOS 6 Operating System to Developers

• Here Are All the Apple Watch Models Compatible With watchOS 6

New Mac Pro and HDR Display

• Apple Reveals All-New Mac Pro With Up to 28-Core Processor and 1.5TB of RAM, Starting at $5,999

• Apple Unveils 32-inch 6K 'Pro Display XDR' Monitor Starting at $4,999

• Adobe and Other Developers Are 'Incredibly Excited' About New Mac Pro

• The Stand for Apple's New $4,999 Pro Display Costs an Extra $999

• Roundup: First-Look Impressions of the New Mac Pro

WWDC 2018

At WWDC 2018, Apple made the following software and hardware announcements:

• Apple Reveals iOS 12 With Digital Health Features, Group FaceTime, Memoji, and More

• Apple Creates 'Measure', an Augmented-Reality Measuring Tape App

• Apple Announces New USDZ Augmented Reality File Format Coming in iOS 12

• Apple Unveils 'ARKit 2' and Showcases New LEGO AR App That Interacts With Physical Sets

• Apple Unveils New 'For You' Tab and Sharing Suggestions Coming to Photos in iOS 12

• Apple Details Siri Updates Alongside 'Shortcuts' App to Create Customized Voice-Controlled Workflows

• Google Maps and Waze Coming to CarPlay in iOS 12

• Apple Introduces Memoji: Personalized, Animated Emojis Coming in iOS 12

• Group FaceTime Chats Coming to iOS 12, Supports Up to 32 Simultaneous Users

• Apple Explains How iOS 12 Will 'Help You Limit Distractions' With New 'Screen Time' Settings and More

• First Beta of iOS 12 Now Available for Registered Developers

• iOS 12 Includes Setting to Disable USB Access When an iPhone Hasn't Been Unlocked for More Than an Hour

• iOS 12 Hidden Features: New Close App Gesture on iPhone X, Revamped iPad Gestures, Screen Time Widget and More

• Apple Revamps App Store Guidelines, Sets New Rules for Remote Mirroring Apps Like Steam Link

• Apple Announces macOS 10.14 Mojave, Featuring New Dark Mode, Desktop Stacks, a Redesigned Mac App Store, and More

• Apple's Mac App Store Updating With All-New Design Inspired by iOS

• Safari Browser in iOS 12 and macOS Mojave to Feature Enhanced Privacy Tools

• Apple Seeds First Beta of macOS Mojave to Developers

• macOS 10.14 Mojave Drops Support for Many Older Machines

• Apple Reveals tvOS 12 With Dolby Atmos Support for Apple TV 4K, Aerial Screensaver Updates, and More

• Apple's watchOS 5 Adds Automatic Workout Detection, Walkie-Talkie, and More

• Apple Watch Gaining New 'Walkie-Talkie' App in watchOS 5 so You Can Quickly Talk to Friends

• Apple Watch Owners Can Compete in watchOS 5, Auto-Detection of Workouts Coming Too

• Apple Releases First Beta of New watchOS 5 Operating System to Developers

• Apple Provides First Beta of tvOS 12 to Developers

• watchOS 5 Not Available for Original Apple Watch

• Live From WWDC 2018: Coverage of Apple's Keynote with iOS 12, macOS 10.14, and More

• Apple Launches New 2018 Pride Band for Apple Watch, Available to Buy Today

• College Student ID Support Coming to iPhone and Apple Watch

• Apple Introduces Apple Watch Bands and iPhone Cases in Summer Colors

• Apple Replaces 29W USB-C Power Adapter With New 30W Version

• There's Still No Sign of Apple's AirPower Charging Mat

• Apple's iOS App Store Will Top $100B Paid Out to Developers This Week, Ahead of 10th Anniversary in July

• Apple to Open Patient Health Records to Third-Party Apps

• Everything Apple Announced at WWDC 2018 in Six Minutes

• Apple Launches New 'App Store Connect' App for Developers

• Apple Announces 2018 Apple Design Award Winners

• Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Privacy is a Fundamental Human Right'

WWDC 2017

At WWDC 2017, Apple made the following software and hardware announcements:

• iOS 11 Preview: Enhanced Siri, Voice Translation, Unified Control Center & More

• Apple Reveals 'macOS High Sierra' With APFS, Metal 2, and Refinements to Safari and Other Apps

• Apple Releasing 'ARKit' for iOS Developers to Fuel All-New Augmented Reality Apps

• watchOS 4 Bringing New Interface, Apple News, New Music App & Gym Machine Support

• Apple Announces New 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro Models With Advanced Displays

• Apple Updates Entire MacBook Line-Up With Kaby Lake CPUs, Faster SSDs, and Graphics

• Apple Reveals New 'iMac Pro' Built for Users With Demanding Workflows, Starting at $5K

• Apple Unveils $349 HomePod Smart Speaker to be Available in December

• Apple Refreshes 21.5-Inch and 27-Inch iMacs With Brighter Displays, Kaby Lake Processors, and Faster Storage

WWDC 2016

At WWDC 2016, Apple made the following announcements:

• Apple Announces iOS 10 With Overhauled Messages App, Rich Notifications, and More

• Apple Unveils macOS 'Sierra' With New Continuity Features, Window Tabs, Apple Watch Login, Siri, and More

• Apple Announces watchOS 3 With Dock, Control Center, New Watch Faces and Apps, and More

• Apple Debuts New tvOS Features Including 'Single Sign-On', Enhanced Siri and More

WWDC 2015

At WWDC 2015, Apple unveiled the following services and software:

• Apple Announces iOS 9 With Proactive Siri, Maps Transit, iPad Multitasking and More

• Apple Announces OS X El Capitan With Split View, Contextual Spotlight, Updated Apps and More, Launches in Fall

• Apple Announces watchOS 2 With Native Apps, Third-Party Complications, and More

• Apple Announces 'Apple Music' With 'Beats 1' Live Radio Station, Launches June 30 for $9.99/Month

WWDC 2014

At WWDC 2014, Apple unveiled the following services and software:

• Apple Announces OS X Yosemite with Improved Cross-Device Connectivity and New User Interface

• Apple Announces iOS 8 with Interactive Notifications, QuickType, More

• Apple Announces 'iCloud Drive' and 'Mail Drop' Features for OS X Yosemite

• Apple Updates iMessage with Improved Group Messaging and Video and Audio Messages

• 'QuickType' Keyboard for iOS 8 Offers Context-Aware Predictive Typing Suggestions

• iOS 8 to Include Support for System Wide Third-Party Keyboards

• Apple to Enhance App Store with 'Explore' Tab, App Bundles, Beta Testing, and More

• Apple to Discontinue Support for iPhone 4 in iOS 8

• Apple Announces Significant SDK Improvements with New 'Swift' Programming Language, CloudKit and More

WWDC 2013

At 2013's WWDC, Apple unveiled iOS 7, OS X Mavericks, iWork for iCloud, the Mac Pro, and new MacBook Airs.

WWDC 2012

2012's event saw the introduction of the MacBook Pro with Retina Display, iOS 6 and its standalone Maps app, OS X Mountain Lion, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air updates, and a redesigned AirPort Express.