Apple Brings AI-Assisted Coding, Visual Design Tools, and more to Developers, in Xcode

Apple has introduced a major leap forward in app development with Xcode 26, unveiled at WWDC 2025. The new update puts artificial intelligence at the heart of the development process, offering a faster, smarter, and more streamlined experience for developers building apps across Apple’s platforms.

One of the most significant changes is the integration of advanced code completion and AI-assisted suggestions. Developers can now access Apple’s own on-device large language models, alongside ChatGPT, directly within Xcode. These tools can help write boilerplate code, explain logic, suggest improvements, and even generate localized content, all while maintaining full privacy for sensitive data through on-device processing.

Xcode 26 also introduces a more powerful version of SwiftUI Previews, enabling live, interactive design changes with tighter feedback loops. The new preview engine gives developers more accurate visual representations of how interfaces will behave on different devices, while localization and accessibility adjustments can now be simulated in real time.

To support Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language, developers get access to Icon Composer — a new app that generates multi-layered icons and system assets. It’s a focused tool that allows for faster creation of visually consistent elements that adapt to light, dark, and clear modes, aligning with iOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and visionOS 26.

Performance-wise, Apple has improved build times and diagnostic tools, allowing developers to iterate more quickly. New controls for managing test flows, enhanced debugging for Swift, and better language resource management make Xcode 26 a more complete environment for building apps from prototype to production.

By blending intelligent code tools, visual design enhancements, and performance gains, Xcode 26 represents a strategic evolution in Apple’s development ecosystem. It gives developers the tools to not only build faster but to build better — with native access to Apple Intelligence and the growing potential of spatial and AI-powered apps.