This article may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you, and some content was created with the help of AI tools but reviewed and approved by a human before publishing.
WWDC25: What’s new in Developer Tools
Apple’s Software update is coming this fall, and while it’s full of tools for developers, the real winner is you, the person using their apps.
Apps built on Xcode 26 are smarter, safer, faster, and easier to trust. Here’s how.
📱 Apps That Run Faster and Use Less Battery
The new tools in Xcode 26 and macOS 15 help developers find what’s slowing down apps or draining power. That means the apps you use every day will feel more responsive and use less energy while they run.
- 💨 Apps respond more smoothly: Developers can spot long load times or stuttering screens and fix them early. That means quicker launches and smoother taps and swipes, even on older devices.
- 🔋 Fewer tasks running in the background: With macOS 15, developers can reduce how often apps update or sync when you’re not using them. This saves power and helps your device stay cooler.
- 🔍 Smarter energy choices: Xcode 26 lets developers compare features to see which ones work better without using as much battery. You still get the same app experience, but your battery lasts longer.
Why It Matters: You get apps that run better, feel faster, and won’t wear down your battery as quickly.
🧱 Safer, More Private Apps with New macOS 15 Tech
macOS 15 introduces a system called container tech. It helps apps stay in their own space and keeps your data more secure.
- 🔐 Your data stays protected: Each app runs in its own space and can’t access your messages, files, or photos unless you say so. Even if an app makes a mistake, it’s blocked from touching anything else.
- 🧰 Apps only see what they need: Before this update, some apps could ask for more access than they needed. Containers change that. Now, apps must request what they use, and only get what you allow.
- 🌐 No secret shortcuts: Some older systems let apps share files or tools in ways that weren’t always obvious. With containers, every app runs separately. No hidden access or shared folders.
Why It Matters: This gives you more privacy and control, while helping keep your Mac and iCloud info safe in the background.
🧠 Better Accessibility for Everyone
With Xcode 26 and macOS 15, developers now have better ways to make apps work for people who use assistive tools like screen readers, voice commands, or larger text.
- 🧏♀️ Apps support more accessibility tools: Developers can check how well their apps work with VoiceOver, Switch Control, and other tools without needing to test everything by hand.
- 📱 Apps work the same across all Apple devices: Whether you’re on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, developers can make sure the app works the same way across all of them, even with different settings.
- 🧪 Accessibility issues are caught early: Xcode 26 includes tools that find missing labels or broken interactions before the app launches. This helps users who depend on accessibility features have a better experience.
Why It Matters: If you use accessibility settings, or know someone who does, apps built with these tools will feel more consistent, helpful, and ready to use from the start.
⚡ Apps That Feel Better to Use
Sometimes apps lag, freeze, or just feel off. With Xcode 26, developers have better tools to find those problems and fix them before the app is released.
- 🚀 Animations and taps run more smoothly: Developers can now check every frame to make sure things look and feel right. If something slows down, they’ll see it immediately.
- 🔧 Slow spots are fixed early: New tools help developers find exactly where the app is stuttering, so they can make it run more smoothly.
- 🔁 Better performance, lower power use: Developers can test different versions of features and choose the one that works faster and uses less battery.
Why It Matters: The difference may be small, but it matters. Apps built with these tools respond quicker and feel better every time you use them.
🧑🎨 Cleaner Icons, Smarter Menus, Better Layouts
With Xcode 26, developers now have better design tools to build apps that are easier to see and easier to use.
- 🎨 Icons look clear on every screen: Developers can make icons that adjust to light and dark mode, screen size, and platform. They look sharp on phones, tablets, watches, and Macs.
- 🗣️ Voice control support is built in: It’s easier for developers to add voice commands to their apps. That means more apps will support speaking instead of tapping.
- 📊 Layouts get tested early: Developers can preview how screens will look with larger text, different languages, or display settings, and fix layout problems before updates go live.
Why It Matters: You get apps that not only look better but work better, no matter how you use your device.
🧠 Xcode Got Smarter, Which Means Better Apps for You
Xcode 26 now uses AI to help developers write cleaner, stronger code. This helps them spot problems early and build better features from the start.
- ✍️ Bugs get flagged right away: As developers type, Xcode highlights errors and possible issues before the app even runs.
- ⚙️ Slowdowns are easier to avoid: If something might hurt the app speed or battery, the AI can point it out so developers can fix it before it becomes a real issue.
- 🧠 Smarter suggestions improve the final app: Xcode offers tips based on best practices, so apps are more stable, more consistent, and ready for every Apple device.
Why It Matters: Apps made with these tools are more reliable and better built, with fewer errors and better updates.
🔋 Bonus: Smarter Power Tools for Real-World Use
With macOS 15 and Xcode 26, developers can now test apps in real-life situations to improve battery life and performance.
- 🚘 Apps are tested on the move: Developers can see how their apps behave during multitasking, commuting, or switching screens. This helps catch problems that don’t show up in lab tests.
- 🧪 They can compare which version saves more battery: Developers can try out different ways to build a feature and pick the one that works best while using less power.
- 📱 Performance reports help fix issues faster: If an app is draining your battery, your device can send a report to help developers solve it quickly.
Why It Matters: These tools help developers create apps that stay powerful without burning through your battery. You get more time to scroll, stream, and play.
The new tools in Xcode 26 and macOS 15 help developers create apps that feel better, work smarter, and use your device’s power more wisely.
- 📱 Faster app response across devices
- 🔋 Longer battery life during daily use
- 🧠 Better code that means fewer bugs
- 🧏♂️ Built-in support for accessibility tools
- 🔐 Stronger privacy thanks to container tech
Which of these updates will make the biggest difference for you?
Will it be faster performance, longer battery life, or better accessibility?
Let us know what you care about most.
Check out our other WWDC25 Post:
Resources used:
- Support icons created by Freepik – Flaticon
- Profile and optimize power usage in your app
- What’s new in Xcode 26
- Optimize SwiftUI performance with Instruments
- Optimize CPU performance with Instruments
- Record, replay, and review: UI automation with Xcode
- Meet Containerization