WWDC 2024: Everything We Know

WWDC 2024 Overview

Apple holds the Worldwide Developers Conference on an annual basis, so while the company has not yet announced specific dates and plans, we know that it's likely to take place in early June based on past WWDC events. We could hear more information about when WWDC will take place in March or April.

Back in 2020, Apple started hosting WWDC as a primarily online event, allowing developers around the world to attend sessions and interface with Apple engineers at no cost. Last year, Apple held an all-day special event for select developers and students at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, and there could be a similar event this year.

Prior to 2020, Apple held WWDC at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California, and tickets to attend were priced at $1,599. There have so far been no signs that Apple intends to return to this format, but it is possible. WWDC has been free for all developers since 2020.

At WWDC, Apple offers developers and Apple customers a first look at new versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, plus this year we'll see a new version of visionOS. Developers are able to engage with Apple engineers through engineering sessions, one-on-one lab appointments, and the Apple Developer Forums, all with the aim of learning how to integrate new OS features into their apps.

Apple kicks off the Worldwide Developers Conference with a keynote event each year to introduce new software, and sometimes, events also feature hardware. This year, we are expecting iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, tvOS 18, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2, and we so far have not heard rumors of new products being unveiled.

Apple always streams the WWDC keynote on Apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple Developer website, the Apple TV, and YouTube.

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WWDC Software Announcements

Software is the main focus of WWDC, and 2024 rumors suggest that iOS 18 could be the biggest update to the iPhone that we've had in many years thanks to AI, and many of those features will also likely to be included in macOS.

iOS 18 and iPadOS 18

Apple wants to catch up with competitors when it comes to AI, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes that iOS 18 will be a "relatively groundbreaking" software update with "major new features and designs," primarily focused on AI.

AI is expected to be incorporated across the operating system, and here are some of the ways Apple might use it:

Auto-generated Apple Music playlists based on input from the user, such as a mood.
AI-assisted writing in Pages.
AI-assisted slide deck creation in Keynote.
AI code writing in Xcode for developers.
Improved Spotlight search.
Siri improvements that integrate large-language models (LLMs), such as natural conversation capabilities and improved user personalization.
New integration between Siri and the Messages app to better allow Siri to respond to messages and suggest response options.
Shortcuts integration with Siri, so users can automate complex or multi-step tasks using voice-based commands.

iOS 18 will include some design changes, perhaps adopting some design cues from visionOS, but it will not receive a total overhaul. The update is expected to feature a more customizable Home Screen, giving iPhone users more options for the look of the iPhone. Apple plans to give customers more control over how their app icons are arranged.

App icons are expected to remain locked to an invisible grid for organizational purposes, but the update could add the option to create blank spaces, rows, and columns between app icons. iOS 18 is likely to bring the most significant update to the Home Screen that we've had in years, on par with the Lock Screen changes that Apple introduced in iOS 16.

Apple will introduce RCS for the Messages app in iOS 18, improving conversations between iPhone and Android users. Sending photos and videos to Android users from an iPhone will no longer result in errors, and group chats will have better performance. Features like cross-platform emoji reactions, read receipts, and real-time typing indicators will also be added.

For more on what's coming in iOS 18, we have a dedicated iOS 18 roundup.

macOS 15

macOS and iOS often have many features in common, so while most of the rumors we've heard have focused on iOS 18, it's likely that quite a few of the AI features will also be available on Apple's Macs.

As for a name, Apple is still using California landmarks. Apple has trademarked several California-related names over the years, and many of them have gone unused.

Some of the remaining possibilities include Redwood, Grizzly, Sequoia, Mammoth, Pacific, Rincon, Farallon, Miramar, Condor, Diablo, and Shasta. Apple could go with a non-trademarked name, though, and it has done so in the past.

Here are the names that Apple has used since it started naming macOS versions after landmarks in 2013: Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma.

Other Updates

We'll also see watchOS 11, tvOS 18, HomePod Software 18, and visionOS 2, but we haven't heard rumors about what might be included in these updates.

Possible Hardware Announcements

There are no rumors yet that Apple will introduce new hardware, but we are waiting on refreshes for several Macs. Apple has yet to update the Mac Studio, Mac mini, or Mac Pro with M3 chips, so there is a possibility that some of these new Macs will see a debut at WWDC.

WWDC Date Possibilities

For the last couple of years, Apple held WWDC during the first week of June, and that's also the most likely target date this year.

June 3 to June 7 would make the most sense based on past WWDC events, though June 10 to June 14 is also possible. Past WWDC dates:

2023 - June 5 to June 9
2022 - June 6 to June 10
2021 - June 7 to June 11
2020 - June 22 to June 26
2019 - June 3 to June 7
2018 - June 4 to June 8
2017 - June 5 to June 9
2016 - June 12 to June 17
2015 - June 8 to June 12
2014 - June 2 to June 6

Apple will likely unveil the WWDC 2024 dates at the end of March or the beginning of April.

Past WWDC Events

WWDC 2023

WWDC 2023 brought our first look at the Vision Pro headset, new Mac Pro and Mac Studio machines with M2 Ultra chips, and iOS 17, macOS Sonoma, tvOS 17, and watchOS 10.

WWDC 2022

At WWDC, Apple unveiled iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13 Ventura, tvOS 16, and watchOS 9, along with a new M2 MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro.

WWDC 2021

WWDC 2021 focused on software instead of hardware, with Apple introducing iOS 15, iPadOS 15, tvOS 15, macOS Monterey, and watchOS 8. Apple also introduced iCloud+, a suite of new privacy-focused features that are available for its paid iCloud plans, priced starting at $0.99 per month.

WWDC 2020

While WWDC 2020 also 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.

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.

WWDC 2018

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

WWDC 2017

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

WWDC 2016

At WWDC 2016, Apple made the following announcements:

WWDC 2015

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

WWDC 2014

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

WWDC 2024

Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference will take place in June, but official dates have yet to be announced.