Of the three big Apple events of the year, WWDC is the most reliable: In each of the last 15 June, like clockwork, Apple held a big rally for its developing partners and announced a raft of important software updates. Comparing the iPhone launch in September and the March / April spring event seems almost unexpected.
In this article, we list the major announcements (and some small titbeats) you might expect to hear at WWDC 2022 this June. Some of these – updates to the five major Apple operating systems, most obviously – are predictable as event timing. But we think Apple will put some surprises too.
WWDC 2022 will begin with a keynote address on Monday 6 June. This year it will be possible for some developers and students to see the keynote live, but space will be limited. Details on how to apply will be available soon on the Apple Developer site and app.
Read on to learn more about WWDC 2022.
What is WWDC?
It stands for Global Developers Conference and is theoretically about third party software developers who create apps for Apple’s platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac and more. The company invites a bunch of devs to its campus (or, more recently, gives them access to an online-only event) and talks to them about system-wide changes coming to those platforms next year to keep them ready. There are lectures, networking events and workshops.
In fact, while devs are at the center of the event, it’s a press event that Apple uses to announce its software plans to the world.
When will WWDC 2022 be held?
WWDC will begin on June 6, 2022, with the keynote address starting at 10 a.m. in California, and 6 p.m. in the United Kingdom.
The WWDC is a week-long gathering, beginning with a keynote address on Monday morning (although for those of us in the UK watching it in the evening) and will continue for five days. This usually happens in the first fortnight of June, although world events were somewhat delayed in 2020.
Here are the last ten WWDC events:
-
WWDC 2021: 7-11 June
- WWDC 2020: June 22-26
- WWDC 2019: 3-7 June
- WWDC 2018: 4-8 June
- WWDC 2017: 5-9 June
- WWDC 2016: 13-17 June
- WWDC 2015: June 8-12
- WWDC 2014: June 2-6
- WWDC 2013: 10-14 June
- WWDC 2012: 11-15 June
How to watch WWDC 2022 live
The last two WWDC events have only been online. For 2022, some lucky developers will be able to attend – see WWDC Keynote at Apple Park? Here’s how to apply. But whether you live there in person or actually connect, Apple on its website (see the event page) and elsewhere, such as YouTube and possibly on TwitterAn experiment tried it a few years ago but did not repeat in 2021.
You’ll be able to watch presentations on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and even PC. For more details, read How to Watch WWDC Live.
WWDC 2022 Personal Special Event
Apple is hosting a special personal event on June 6 to kick off the 2022 Global Developers Conference. At the event, you will be able to see the keynote address and the State of the Union presentation. Apple says participants will be able to test the new developer center “and much more.” Attendance at this event is by invitation only at Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino.
From May 9 to May 11, Apple will be accepting deposits for developers interested in attending the special event. Apple will randomly select from the deposit and send invitations to those people. You can apply if you are a member of Apple Developer Program, Apple Developer Enterprise Program, or 2022 Swift Student Challenge. Learn more.
The software is launched
iOS 16
Event headliners due to the sheer number of iPhone owners across the planet. If you have enough recent iPhones (iOS 15 runs on iPhone 6s, so it would be nice to get iPhone 7 or later iOS 16) you will be able to install after the release of the new version of iOS in the fall of 2022.
But before that, there is a complete beta-test cycle. iOS 16 will be announced at WWDC 2022, then will be released almost immediately as the developer beta (for registered app developers only). Do not install it unless you are a developer and ready to finish it; The beta software may have serious bugs and may even brick your device.
Over the next three months, this beta এবং and the public beta that will be released shortly and will lag behind the developer throughout the testing process – will be repeatedly tweaked, fixed, and updated until we reach the final iOS 16.0 public. (Probably) released in September.
Read about our expectations for iOS 16.
iPadOS 16
An accompanying update for iPad owners, the iPadOS 16 will probably include most of the new features of iOS 16 but will adapt to a larger-screen interface. When Apple’s two mobile operating systems split in 2019, they were mostly the same, but the iPad version has been steadily advancing in its own state.
Get low-down on what’s coming in the iPadOS 16.
macOS 13
What stores did Apple get for Monterey’s follow-up? We will find out at WWDC 2022.
It should be macOS version 13.0, but do not allow this: Apple is almost predictable for a single version number 18 yearsFrom macOS 10.0 (Cheetah) in 2001 to macOS 10.15 (Catalina) in 2019. But the last two releases – macOS 11 Big Sur and macOS 12 Monterey – both have their own achievements and that nonsense now seems to be out of the system.
For the California landmark that will lend the name of MacOS 13.0, our money is on the mammoth. Read more about what’s coming in MacOS 13.
watchOS 9
The new operating system for the Apple Watch will be unveiled at WWDC 2022 This is a special feature compared to the iPhone, iPad and Mac updates discussed above but can bring important health and fitness features for Apple Watch owners around the world.
Last year’s watchOS 8 update was available for those running Series 3. If you are in a Series 4 or later you should be well on your way to get the 2022 update – and the Series 3 could get in the sun for another year.
TVOS 16
The lowest-profile of the five major Apple operating systems, tvOS is the platform that runs on Apple TV.
Last year’s tvOS 15 update added new Siri capabilities, multi-user recommendations, and the ability to screen-share with friends using SharePlay. What will we get this year? You will find it at WWDC.
homeOS
The big five could still be the big six as there are rumors that Apple is working on a new brand of OS called HomeOS. This will be a new name for the software running on HomePod and HomePod Mini, now referred to as HomePod OS. The hassle of rebranding the software suggests that Apple may want to add more post-launch features to homepods in the future.
Remember, since Apple discontinued the full-size homepod last March, it will only run on one device – which raises the question of where the company is going with its smart-home strategy in 2022. Its sleeve?
The hardware is turned on
WWDC is a software-centric event, but Apple has often found time to launch hardware products during its WWDC core notes.
If it does happen again, it’s more likely to be Mac-related than anything for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or AirPods fans. The iPhone 3GS debuted at WWDC in 2009, but since then it has only been available on Macs.
Apple introduced the iMac Pro (although it did not sell out later that year), along with updates to the iMac, MacBook and MacBook Pro, at WWDC 2017; It announced a new Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR in June 2019 (although they didn’t sell until that December). And most recently, although no actual hardware product was released that year, Apple’s Mac Range transition from Intel to its own processor was unveiled at WWDC 2020. It was the company’s single largest hardware announcement of the year.
Now what’s in the hardware pipeline for Apple? A new 27in iMac now looks suspicious in the heels of Mac Studio – Apple has just shut it down – but never say no. Read off the 27in iMac, but not necessarily dead. In fact, Apple may even launch a new iMac Pro.
Also in need of an update is the remaining Mac Mini, which many hope will get an M1 Pro chip. Read all about the new Mac Mini.
There are some pretty loud rumors about a new MacBook Air, probably with an M2 chip, and a 14in MacBook Pro also with the M2.
The new AirPods Pro will probably come out in the fall with the new iPhone 14 series, but who knows, we’ll see some soon.
Read more
We will update this article regularly at WWDC, so check back from time to time to see the latest news.
For a detailed view of the year plan, see our guide to new Apple products coming in 2022.