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Missing Apple-Hosted Background Assets info
After combing the forums and release nodes, here are some extra notes to help other developers using Apple-Hosted Background Assets. I don't promise I got this perfect, but it may help direct you. AssetPack.Status is an OptionSet (not an enum!) - Critical API detail missing from guide It's a bitmask where values can be combined 2⁰ (1) = available to download 2¹ (2) = update available 2² (4) = up to date 2⁶ (64) = downloaded Example: status value 69 = 0b1000101 = available + up to date + downloaded Use .contains() method to check specific flags AssetPack.version property - Undocumented feature Auto-assigned by App Store Connect for Apple-hosted packs Increments with each upload of same asset pack ID No file deduplication across asset packs Same file in two packs = counts twice toward 200GB limit Best practice: create separate pack for shared files Shared namespace path requirements Asset pack ID is NOT part of file path Each file must have unique relative path across ALL app's asset packs Example: Foo/10/239/414.png and Bar/10/239/414.png are distinct and won't collide Additional url(for:) bugs beyond iOS 26.1 fix iOS 26 Beta 5: "item with same name already exists" error Workaround: Request URL for directory, then manually append filename TestFlight-only availability - Major limitation not mentioned! Apple-hosted packs currently ONLY work for internal testers on TestFlight or from App Store. Won't work from Xcode until "later this year" HTTP 400 errors expected for non-TestFlight installs ba-serve port workaround URL override port bug exists on multiple device types Use ba-serve -p 443 instead of custom ports
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286
Oct ’25
How to consume a dynamic Xcode framework?
I have an Xcode project setup as follows: 3 static libraries 1 framework target, whose Mach-O type is set to Dynamic Library main app target (iOS app) The target dependencies are as follows: In framework's build phase [Link with libraries], I have the 3 libs statically linked. In the main app's build phase [Link with libraries], I have only the framework, which is dynamically linked. As per my understanding: The libs are statically linked to the framework. So, the framework binary would contain code from all the libs. The framework is dynamically linked to the main app (iOS app in this case). So, the main app's binary only has a reference to the framework's binary, which would be loaded in the memory at runtime. Assuming my understanding is correct, I'm stuck with the following problem: All 3 libs build successfully The framework builds successfully The main app target doesn't build. The compilation is successful, but the build fails with linker errors. Please let me know if I am doing something incorrectly, or if a configuration is missing. Below are more details: The linker gives the following error: Undefined symbols for architecture arm64: "StringUtils.GetStr() -> Swift.String", referenced from: dynamic_fw.AppDelegate.application(_: __C.UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions: [__C.UIApplicationLaunchOptionsKey : Any]?) -> Swift.Bool in AppDelegate.o "TWUtils.GetNum() -> Swift.Int", referenced from: dynamic_fw.AppDelegate.application(_: __C.UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions: [__C.UIApplicationLaunchOptionsKey : Any]?) -> Swift.Bool in AppDelegate.o ld: symbol(s) not found for architecture arm64 clang: error: linker command failed with exit code 1 (use -v to see invocation) And the command shown in the logs for linking phase is: Ld /Users/raunit.shrivastava/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/dynamic-fw-foqtqhpopkmoapfufzxbfloamnpr/Build/Products/Debug-iphonesimulator/dynamic-fw.app/dynamic-fw normal (in target 'dynamic-fw' from project 'dynamic-fw') cd /Users/raunit.shrivastava/Desktop/dynamic-fw /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Toolchains/XcodeDefault.xctoolchain/usr/bin/clang -Xlinker -reproducible -target arm64-apple-ios17.5-simulator -isysroot /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/iPhoneSimulator.platform/Developer/SDKs/iPhoneSimulator17.5.sdk -O0 -L/Users/raunit.shrivastava/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/dynamic-fw-foqtqhpopkmoapfufzxbfloamnpr/Build/Intermediates.noindex/EagerLinkingTBDs/Debug-iphonesimulator -L/Users/raunit.shrivastava/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/dynamic-fw-foqtqhpopkmoapfufzxbfloamnpr/Build/Products/Debug-iphonesimulator -L. -L./StringUtils -L./TWFramework -L./TWUtils -L./dynamic-fw -F/Users/raunit.shrivastava/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/dynamic-fw-foqtqhpopkmoapfufzxbfloamnpr/Build/Intermediates.noindex/EagerLinkingTBDs/Debug-iphonesimulator -F/Users/raunit.shrivastava/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/dynamic-fw-foqtqhpopkmoapfufzxbfloamnpr/Build/Products/Debug-iphonesimulator -F. -F./StringUtils -F./TWFramework -F./TWUtils -F./dynamic-fw -filelist /Users/raunit.shrivastava/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/dynamic-fw-foqtqhpopkmoapfufzxbfloamnpr/Build/Intermediates.noindex/dynamic-fw.build/Debug-iphonesimulator/dynamic-fw.build/Objects-normal/arm64/dynamic-fw.LinkFileList -Xlinker -rpath -Xlinker @executable_path/Frameworks -Xlinker -rpath -Xlinker ./\*\* -dead_strip -Xlinker -object_path_lto -Xlinker /Users/raunit.shrivastava/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/dynamic-fw-foqtqhpopkmoapfufzxbfloamnpr/Build/Intermediates.noindex/dynamic-fw.build/Debug-iphonesimulator/dynamic-fw.build/Objects-normal/arm64/dynamic-fw_lto.o -Xlinker -export_dynamic -Xlinker -no_deduplicate -Xlinker -objc_abi_version -Xlinker 2 -fobjc-link-runtime -L/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Toolchains/XcodeDefault.xctoolchain/usr/lib/swift/iphonesimulator -L/usr/lib/swift -Xlinker -add_ast_path -Xlinker /Users/raunit.shrivastava/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/dynamic-fw-foqtqhpopkmoapfufzxbfloamnpr/Build/Intermediates.noindex/dynamic-fw.build/Debug-iphonesimulator/dynamic-fw.build/Objects-normal/arm64/dynamic_fw.swiftmodule -Xlinker -sectcreate -Xlinker __TEXT -Xlinker __entitlements -Xlinker /Users/raunit.shrivastava/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/dynamic-fw-foqtqhpopkmoapfufzxbfloamnpr/Build/Intermediates.noindex/dynamic-fw.build/Debug-iphonesimulator/dynamic-fw.build/dynamic-fw.app-Simulated.xcent -Xlinker -sectcreate -Xlinker __TEXT -Xlinker __ents_der -Xlinker /Users/raunit.shrivastava/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/dynamic-fw-foqtqhpopkmoapfufzxbfloamnpr/Build/Intermediates.noindex/dynamic-fw.build/Debug-iphonesimulator/dynamic-fw.build/dynamic-fw.app-Simulated.xcent.der -framework TWFramework -Xlinker -no_adhoc_codesign -Xlinker -dependency_info -Xlinker /Users/raunit.shrivastava/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/dynamic-fw-foqtqhpopkmoapfufzxbfloamnpr/Build/Intermediates.noindex/dynamic-fw.build/Debug-iphonesimulator/dynamic-fw.build/Objects-normal/arm64/dynamic-fw_dependency_info.dat -o /Users/raunit.shrivastava/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/dynamic-fw-foqtqhpopkmoapfufzxbfloamnpr/Build/Products/Debug-iphonesimulator/dynamic-fw.app/dynamic-fw
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Oct ’25
Mergeable Libraries using XCFramework
Hello.

On my app I have the necessity to use mergeable libraries, in my context my libraries are indirect dependency, in other words the dependency isn’t target in my project, and they are XCFramework where they are imported on Framework, Libraries, and Embedded Content session on my app target. Following the documentation on Configuring your project to use mergeable libraries it said. 
  But on Manually configure merging don’t said how to configure to indirect dependencies. 
  So I have tried configure use the linker flag -merge_framework for each XCFramework using -Wl, -merge_framework, {XCFramework_Name}, but I am receiving the following error unknown argument: -merge_framework’ when build the release. 

In app target is set build settings MERGED_BINARY_TYPE = manual; The question is: 
 Is possible using mergeable libraries in XCFramework dependencies ? How I do this? Because on the doc is not clear how to use in indirect dependency like XCFramework. 

 Regards 
Michel Carvalho
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Oct ’25
Request for clarification of Developer mode
Hi Guys, I want to support my client for enable the developer mode, But they not accept to connect with any other devices(Mac Xcode) to enable developer mode. They are nearly 10 people to enable developer mode. But I think without mac we can't enable developer mode in some of devices. So I need a clarification with IOS versions. That's only we are excepting to list out which IOS versions don't have developer mode option default. Please list out that IOS versions Like below: default developer mode available IOS 17.4.1 default developer mode not available IOS 17.5.1
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869
Oct ’25
Testing Family Controls & Multicast Networking APIs - Educational Use Without Paid Developer Account?
Hi Apple Engineers and fellow developers, I'm a student developer working on an educational focus management app that helps users hide distracting apps during study sessions. The app consists of: macOS app: Simple "Hide apps" button that triggers app hidding sessions iOS app: Uses Screen Time API to temporarily hide selected apps from home screen Communication: Bonjour networking between Mac and iPhone for session coordination The Challenge My app requires two entitlements that aren't available with Personal Developer Teams: com.apple.developer.family-controls (for Screen Time API) com.apple.developer.networking.multicast (for Bonjour device discovery) Current Error Messages text Cannot create a iOS App Development provisioning profile for "focuser.focuser-app". Personal development teams, including "My Name", do not support the Family Controls (Development) capability. Provisioning profile doesn't include the com.apple.developer.family-controls and com.apple.developer.networking.multicast entitlements. My Question for Apple Engineers Is there any legitimate way to test these privacy-sensitive APIs on my own devices for educational/learning purposes without purchasing the $99/year Apple Developer Program membership? I understand the security reasons behind these restrictions, but as a student just learning iOS development, it creates a significant barrier to experimenting with these technologies.
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Oct ’25
My Apple developer certificates expire soon. Is it necessary to create new certificates?
My Apple developer certificates(4 certificates) expire soon. I'm developing an application for iOS but the application is not yet released in the App Store, only Testflight releases for private testing. Is it necessary to create 4 new certificates or can I edit the current certificates so that they don't expire soon?
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89
Oct ’25
Inconsistent results involving code signatures and bundles
I admit I am doing something unusual, and I would not be surprised if it didn't work. I am surprised, however, because after performing the equivalent operations on four bundles, all of the bundles work fine on macOS 15.6.1, but only two of them work on macOS 26.1 (beta 2). I don't know what causes the different outcomes. What I am trying to do is get Java to pass the macOS 26 AppKit UI SDK linkage checking without having to rebuild the JDK using Xcode 26. Rebuilding works for the latest SDK, but it is very inconvenient and may not work for older JDKs. It usually takes a while before the JDK build team successfully transitions to a new Xcode release. My approach is to use vtool to update the sdk version in the LC_BUILD_VERSION load command of $JAVA_HOME/bin/java, which is the launching executable for the JDK. I performed this operation on four JDKs: 25, 21, 17, and 11. (I ran vtool on macOS 15.) It was completely successful on JDK 25 and 21. The JDK launches correctly on macOS 15 and macOS 26. On macOS 26, AppKit uses the new UI, which is the desired outcome. The JDK runs despite that fact that I signed the modified $JAVA_HOME/bin/java with my developer ID, which is inconsistent with the JDK bundle signature. (Redoing the bundle signing is part of the JDK build process; if that were necessary, I would stick with rebuilding the JDK.) The operation was not successful on JDK 17 and 11. I noticed two problems, which are not obviously related. When vtool created the new version of the java program, it lost the tool definition. $ vtool -show-build-version java java: Load command 10 cmd LC_BUILD_VERSION cmdsize 32 platform MACOS minos 11.0 sdk 11.1 ntools 1 tool LD version 609.8 $ vtool -set-build-version 1 10.0 26.0 -output a.out java /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Toolchains/XcodeDefault.xctoolchain/usr/bin/vtool warning: code signature will be invalid for a.out $ vtool -show-build-version a.out a.out: Load command 22 cmd LC_BUILD_VERSION cmdsize 24 platform MACOS minos 10.0 sdk 26.0 ntools 0 Adding back the tool definition didn't seem to matter. When I try to run the revised executable (in the context of the JDK bundle), it works on macOS 15, but on macOS 26, it is rejected as damaged. If I run the revised executable outside the JDK bundle, it runs (but fails because it can't find the rest of the JDK, which is expected). In all cases, GateKeeper rejects the revised executable because it has not been notarized, but that doesn't seem to stop the program from executing.
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147
Oct ’25
Fake JournalingSuggestions for testing?
I want to test different types of journaling suggestions, like for example photo/video containing ones but as a developer I have no control over what's shown in the Journaling Suggestions sheet. And this makes it really difficult to develop or test any suggestion type other than "reflection". Please let us have a fake suggestions sheet that includes all kinds of suggestion types so we can test. We could toggle it under Developer settings I think.
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Oct ’25
Attach a debugger to app launched via `devicectrl`
With the latest (26) version of Apple's developer tools, is there a way to manually attach a debugger (other than lldb) to an iOS app launched with "devicectl device process launch --start-stopped"? In the past, this was possible via the ios-deploy third-party tool (now defunct), which provided a debugserver port. This information is notably missing when using devicectrl – although the process ID of the launch process is provided, and the tool is clearly aimed at letting you launch and attach to processes from the command line. lldb can, of course, attach via its built-in support for this using the device set of commands. But I'm explicitly looking for a way to attach my own debugger via the GDB-compatible debug proxy.
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Oct ’25
SF Symbols 7: Hundreds of SF Symbols missing 'Availability' info
In SF Symbols 7 (115), there are 458 symbols missing Availability info. I only discovered this after using one that didn’t appear in iOS 18 but does in iOS 26. Questions: Are there plans to add Availability info for all symbols? If the field is blank, is there a safe latest-OS version we can assume? I realize managing 7,000+ icons is tough, but missing info like this makes development frustrating. It doesn't help that there's no build warning when a named image isn't found, it just defaults to the text label. Screenshot Screenshot of SF Symbols 7 showing three symbols missing Availability info. The symbol ellipsis.circle.badge is selected and its properties pane also shows no Availability info.
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Oct ’25
Apple 1-Hour Security Feature Keeps Triggering When Registering iPhone (Starlink User)
Hi everyone, I’m hoping someone here can shed some light on what’s going on with Apple’s one-hour security delay when trying to register an iPhone for development use. I’m currently setting up an app build using Expo / EAS and a paid Apple Developer account. Every time I scan the device registration QR code or try to authorise my iPhone as a development device, I get hit with a “security delay — try again in one hour” message. This happens every single time, even if I wait the full hour. The device is the same iPhone I always use, signed in to the same Apple ID, and verified with 2FA. The only thing unusual about my setup is that I’m using Starlink for internet access. Because Starlink uses dynamic IP routing and your exit node changes frequently (depending on which satellite or ground station you’re on), it looks like I’m signing in from a new location each time — sometimes even hundreds of miles apart. It seems that Apple’s security system flags each of these as a “new login” or “new device registration,” then enforces a one-hour safety lockout. That makes it basically impossible to register my device and proceed with iOS builds or testing. Has anyone else run into this problem while using Starlink (or other dynamic-routing connections like VPNs or cellular hotspots)? And if so — is there any known workaround or setting to whitelist a device, stabilise verification, or bypass the repeated one-hour wait? This feels like an over-protective security feature that doesn’t play well with modern satellite internet setups. Any insights from the Apple engineers or other developers would be hugely appreciated. Thanks, Tim Lazenby
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68
Oct ’25
On Demand Resources does not show an error
I am integrating On Demand Resources into my Unity game. The resources install without any problems if the internet connection is stable: all resources are installed. While testing various scenarios without an internet connection, I encountered the following problem: if I turn off the internet during installation, I don't get any error messages, but if I turn the internet back on, the download no longer continues (and I still don't get an error). If I reopen the application with a stable internet connection, the download will always be at 0%. Please tell me what I am doing wrong. #import "Foundation/Foundation.h" #if ENABLE_IOS_ON_DEMAND_RESOURCES #import "Foundation/NSBundle.h" #endif #include <string.h> struct CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData; typedef void (*CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestCompleteHandler)(struct CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* handler, const char* error); #if ENABLE_IOS_ON_DEMAND_RESOURCES struct CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData { NSBundleResourceRequest* request; }; extern "C" CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* CustomOnDemandResourcesCreateRequest(const char* const* tags, int tagCount, CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestCompleteHandler handler) { NSMutableArray* tagArray = [NSMutableArray array]; for (int i = 0; i < tagCount; i++) { const char* tag = tags[i]; if (tag != NULL) { [tagArray addObject:[NSString stringWithUTF8String:tag]]; } } NSSet* tagSet = [NSSet setWithArray:tagArray]; CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* data = new CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData(); data->request = [[NSBundleResourceRequest alloc] initWithTags:tagSet]; [data->request beginAccessingResourcesWithCompletionHandler:^(NSError* error) { dispatch_async(dispatch_get_main_queue(), ^{ const char* errorMessage = error ? [[error localizedDescription] UTF8String] : NULL; handler(data, errorMessage); }); }]; return data; } extern "C" void CustomOnDemandResourcesRelease(CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* data) { [data->request endAccessingResources]; delete data; } extern "C" float CustomOnDemandResourcesGetProgress(CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* data) { return data->request.progress.fractionCompleted; } extern "C" float CustomOnDemandResourcesGetLoadingPriority(CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* data) { float priority = (float)data->request.loadingPriority; return priority; } extern "C" void CustomOnDemandResourcesSetLoadingPriority(CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* data, float priority) { if (priority < 0.0f) priority = 0.0f; if (priority > 1.0f) data->request.loadingPriority = NSBundleResourceRequestLoadingPriorityUrgent; else data->request.loadingPriority = (double)priority; } extern "C" const char* CustomOnDemandResourcesGetResourcePath(CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData * data, const char* resource) { NSString* resourceStr = [NSString stringWithUTF8String: resource]; NSString* path = [[data->request bundle] pathForResource: resourceStr ofType: nil]; if (path == nil) { return NULL; // или другое значение по умолчанию } const char* result = strdup([path UTF8String]); // копируем строку return result; // в C# нужно будет освободить память } extern "C" void CustomOnDemandResourcesFreeString(const char* str) { free((void*)str); } #else // ENABLE_IOS_ON_DEMAND_RESOURCES struct CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData { }; extern "C" CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* CustomOnDemandResourcesCreateRequest(const char* const* tags, int tagCount, CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestCompleteHandler handler) { CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* data = new CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData(); if (handler) handler(handlerData, NULL); return data; } extern "C" void CustomOnDemandResourcesRelease(CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* data) { delete data; } extern "C" float CustomOnDemandResourcesGetProgress(CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* data) { return 0.0f; } extern "C" float CustomOnDemandResourcesGetLoadingPriority(CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* data) { return 0.0f; } extern "C" void CustomOnDemandResourcesSetLoadingPriority(CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData* data, float priority) { } extern "C" const char* CustomOnDemandResourcesGetResourcePath(CustomOnDemandResourcesRequestData * data, const char* resource) { return NULL; } extern "C" void CustomOnDemandResourcesFreeString(const char* str) { } #endif // ENABLE_IOS_ON_DEMAND_RESOURCES
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71
Oct ’25
On demand module download
I am working on an iOS app and I want to achieve on demand module download inside the app when the user clicks on the module icon which he wants to use. The idea is that we have a super app consisting of multiple modules say four independent apps/features and I want to separate each one so that when the user selects a specific app/feature, it’s downloaded on demand and then opened directly within the same super app resulting in a lower app size initially I want to upload all the code of all modules to app store connect but when the user downloads the app, then only one module's code should be available to the user, the rest of the module's code should be downloaded when the user wants to use that module. I know apple restricts downloading new code but in my case I want to upload all the code to app store for review but just give option to the user to get rest of the code when needed. Any guidance, architectural advice, or example implementations would be highly appreciated.
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108
Oct ’25
Xcode Cloud - Base Configuration Reference
Hello, I'm building this mobile app using Quasar - Capacitor on iOS. The app is working perfectly, but I'm encountering an issue whenever I push the rep I get this error: "Error Unable to open base configuration reference file '/Volumes/workspace/repository/ios/App/Pods/Target Support Files/Pods-App/Pods-App.release.xcconfig'. App.xcodeproj:1" I've tried every possible solution and made sure that everything is set perfectly. Can anyone please help me with that? Thanks in advance, appreciate you 🫶🏻
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143
Oct ’25
Background Assets Directory Collision
Hello, I'm trying to use multiple Background Assets Packs to host map tiles. This is problematic for a few reasons. MKTileOverlay requires a method that returns a URL. AssetPackManager.shared.url() throws, but it's unrelated to the url. It will return a URL even if it points to nothing. There's no name-spacing. Everything appears to be flattened. (See Error below) Simultaneously, this also is not the case as the documentation states: if there’s a path collision across multiple asset packs, then it’s undefined from which asset pack an individual file will be resolved. AssetPackManager.shared.url() doesn't have an optional parameter to explicitly declare the asset pack you want to access, like AssetPackManager.shared.contents(at: FilePath) does For example, I have multiple different tiles I'm trying to overlay for z: 10, x: 239, and y: 414. Foo/10/239/414.png Bar/10/239/414.png And even when explicitly stating the fold directory, it appears that the assets are flattened down. As I'm receiving this error. The URL for “Foo/10/239/414.png” couldn’t be retrieved: “414.png” couldn’t be copied to “239” because an item with the same name already exists.
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215
Oct ’25
MailCore.swift
Hi, is there a compiled version of MailCore.swift? I want to build an easy-to-use mail app for my mother, who is 97, has a MacBook Air, but Apple Mail is too complicated for her. chatGPT said I am too stupid to compile it by myself. Regards Stephan
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61
Oct ’25
Will Icon Composer support development of tvOS and visionOS icons?
In the beta of Icon Composer, I see macOS, iOS, and watchOS icons, but there is nothing about visionOS and tvOS. Those icons are particularly hard and it would be great if this app worked for developing icons for all Apple platforms. I tried asking this in a WWDC group lab, but they didn't get to it and suggested posting to the forum.
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Oct ’25