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Top 10 Developer Tools Apple introduced at WWDC25

Explore breakthrough features like Foundation Models bringing on-device AI, ChatGPT integration in Xcode, AlarmKit enabling true alarm apps, and major improvements to visionOS spatial experiences.

Cihat Gündüz

• 5 min read
Top 10 Developer Tools Apple introduced at WWDC25

WWDC25 has wrapped up, and after watching over 50 sessions and participating in labs, I've compiled the most exciting developer-focused announcements from this year's conference. Here are the 10 standout features that will transform how we build apps for Apple platforms.

1. 🤖 Foundation Models: On-Device AI

The biggest game-changer this year is Foundation Models – Apple's on-device AI framework that brings powerful 3-billion parameter models directly to your apps. What makes this special?

  • Privacy-first: Everything runs on-device with no server delays
  • Structured output: Use the @Generable macro to guarantee typed responses
  • Tool calling: AI can interact with your app's functions automatically
  • Partial results: Update your UI as responses generate in real-time

2. 🛠️ Xcode Gets ChatGPT Integration

Apple surprised everyone by integrating ChatGPT directly into Xcode instead of their promised Swift Assist. This brings:

  • Native AI assistance with code generation and documentation
  • Support for multiple AI providers (ChatGPT, Claude, local models)
  • Git-like history for AI changes to revert changes easily
  • Context-aware code suggestions (like document, explain, etc.)

The #Playground macro also transforms debugging – create SwiftUI preview-style playgrounds for any data type, not just views. Great for prompt engineering!

3. 🌐 SwiftUI WebView Finally Arrives

After years of requests, WebView is now native in SwiftUI:

WebView(url: URL(string: "https://swift.org")!)

Combined with the new WebPage type for advanced control, including JavaScript execution and scroll synchronization. This opens up hybrid app experiences that were previously complex to implement – and required UIKit/AppKit bridging.

4. 🔔 AlarmKit: Third-Party Alarm Apps

AlarmKit breaks through focus modes and system restrictions, enabling:

  • True alarm apps that can wake users
  • Live Activities integration (required) for snooze functionality
  • Custom alarm sounds and experiences possible
  • Perfect for timers, wake up alarms, and prayer/medication reminder apps

5. 📊 App Store Connect Analytics Overhaul

App Store Connect gets a major upgrade:

  • Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) finally available
  • New Analytics APIs for third-party tools
  • Offer codes for non-subscription products (on all platforms)
  • Improved navigation with analytics moved into individual apps

6. 🥽 visionOS Spatial Revolution

Major visionOS improvements include:

  • Persistence: Widgets, windows, and volumes stay pinned between sessions
  • Nearby sharing: Multi-user shared experiences in the same room
  • APMP support: 180°, 360°, and Wide FOV spatial video support
  • Enhanced SwiftUI 3D layout tools making development easier
  • Swift Charts 3D: Bring dimensional data visualization to spatial apps

7. ⚡ Swift 6 Concurrency Made Approachable

Approachable concurrency solves Swift 6 adoption issues:

  • Default @MainActor isolation reduces warnings
  • Gradual opt-in to concurrency with @concurrent
  • Finally makes Swift 6 migration realistic for existing app projects

8. 📡 Wi-Fi Aware: Beyond Bluetooth

Wi-Fi Aware enables experiences like AirPlay/AirDrop:

  • High-performance local communication
  • Greater range than Bluetooth, cross-platform standard
  • Support for more simultaneous connections (AirPods-like)
  • Perfect for media streaming and multiplayer experiences

9. 🔤 String Catalog Enhancements

Localization gets more accurate & more flexible:

  • AI-generated comments for translation context
  • String symbols with auto-completion (for manual strings)
  • Multi-select operations for bulk updates (including new refactor)

10. 🎨 Icon Composer & Layered Icons

The new Icon Composer app creates:

  • Layered icons with up to 4 layers with built-in effects
  • Preview all icon styles (including controversial "clear" style)
  • Unified .icon file format to drop to Xcode
  • Can also export flat images for marketing purposes

Watch the Full Breakdown

This article covers only a small fraction of new APIs, but there's so much more to explore in my comprehensive video breakdown. I go through everything new that's interesting and share my perspective on what will matter most for your apps:

What are you most excited to implement in your apps? Let me know in the comments on YouTube or on other socials (links below)!

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