visionOS developer beta 5 is now available and includes the App Store

By Wesley Hilliard

Apple seeded the fifth visionOS developer beta with a handful of changes including access to the App Store.

visionOS

The fifth beta for visionOS can be downloaded by developers to their Mac, which serves as the development platform for Apple Vision Pro apps. In the vast majority of instances, the beta will only be used on a Mac and not the headset itself, since Apple tightly controls the release of developer kits.

Developers are able to use the updated visionOS within Xcode, as the updates tend to include changes to the visionOS simulator.

The release is the fifth developer beta for the headset's operating system. The fourth arrived on October 3, while the third was released on August 29, and the second beta was issued on July 25.

The fifth build is number 21N5260b, replacing the fourth beta, build number 21N5259j.

While AppleInsider normally advises that users avoid installing beta operating systems or other beta software onto primary or "mission critical" devices due to the small chance of data loss, the situation is a bit different here. Those who have Apple's loaner hardware will want to install the latest betas as soon as they become available.

The fifth beta includes access to the App Store and Testflight apps. Also, the Mindfulness app has also been included.

It is likely that Apple will make more headsets available in the coming months, as the company will want to have software available for the headset to ensure a smooth launch. Though not very developer will have access to the headset, many will be able to try it out via Apple Vision Pro labs.