WWDC 2025 - What’s new in Xcode 26

Xcode 26: A Revolutionary Leap Forward for iOS Development

Apple has unveiled Xcode 26, bringing groundbreaking improvements that will transform how developers build apps. From AI-powered coding assistance to enhanced performance tools, this release represents one of the most significant updates to Xcode in recent years.

Smaller, Faster, Better: Core Optimizations

Xcode 26 delivers impressive performance improvements right out of the gate:

• 24% smaller download size than previous versions
• 40% faster workspace loading for large projects
• 50% improvement in typing latency for complex expressions
• Simulator runtimes now exclude Intel support by default
• Metal toolchain downloads only when needed

Remarkably, this year's Xcode is actually smaller than Xcode 6 from 2014, despite containing significantly more features.

Enhanced Source Editor Experience

The source editor receives major upgrades that make coding more intuitive:

Smart Editor Tabs

• Safari-like tab behavior with a new start page
• Pin tabs to specific files for better organization
• Complete control over tab management

Multiple Words Search

This game-changing feature uses search engine techniques to find clusters of related words across your project. Search terms can appear in any order and span multiple lines, with results sorted by relevance. Perfect for exploring unfamiliar codebases or finding specific functionality.

Voice Control for Swift

A major accessibility breakthrough allows developers to write Swift code entirely through voice commands. The system understands Swift syntax, automatically handling spacing, operators, and camel-casing. Developers can navigate and edit code just by speaking naturally to their Mac.

Playgrounds: Iterate on Any Code

The new #Playground macro extends the power of Swift Playgrounds to any code, not just UI. Developers can:

• Add inline playgrounds to any document
• See execution results in real-time canvas tabs
• Debug complex logic with interactive visualizations
• Test regular expressions and data parsing

The macro is being open-sourced, bringing this experience to Swift developers on all platforms.

Icon Composer: Professional Icon Creation

Bundled with Xcode 26, Icon Composer creates sophisticated, multi-layered icons that work across all platforms and modes:

• Support for dark and tinted modes on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
• New watchOS styling
• Advanced material effects like blur, shadow, and translucency
• Backward compatibility with older operating systems

Localization Made Easier

String Catalogs receive significant enhancements:

• Type-safe Swift symbols for localized strings
• Automatic comment generation using on-device models to describe string context
• Direct string definition in catalogs with auto-complete support

AI-Powered Coding Intelligence

Perhaps the most exciting addition is integrated large language model support:

ChatGPT Integration

• Built-in ChatGPT access with daily free requests
• Bring your own ChatGPT account for unlimited usage
• Context-aware responses that understand your project

Multi-Provider Support

• Support for Anthropic's Claude 4 Opus and Sonnet
• Local model support via Ollama and LM Studio
• Easy API key configuration for multiple providers

Intelligent Code Assistance

• Ask questions about Swift and get project-specific answers
• Automatic code generation and modification
• Quick actions menu for common coding tasks
• Smart error fixing with context-aware solutions
• Reference specific symbols, files, or issues using @ syntax

The AI assistant maintains conversation context, allowing for iterative development and refinement of code changes.

Advanced Debugging & Performance

Swift Concurrency Debugging

• Seamless stepping through asynchronous functions across threads
• Task ID display in debugger UI
• Enhanced representations of concurrency types (Tasks, TaskGroups, actors)

Usage Description Helper

When apps crash due to missing usage descriptions, Xcode now:

• Explains what's missing with clear annotations
• Provides direct links to documentation
• Offers one-click capability addition in Signing & Capabilities editor

Revolutionary Processor Trace

Available on M4 and iPhone 16 devices, this tool captures every CPU branching decision with minimal overhead, providing unprecedented insight into code execution paths.

Enhanced CPU Counters

• Preset modes for guided performance analysis
• CPU Bottlenecks mode for identifying performance issues
• Detailed documentation for understanding metrics

Next-Generation SwiftUI Instrument

• Detailed cause-and-effect analysis of view updates
• Timeline overview of main thread work
• Helps identify and fix performance bottlenecks

Build System Improvements

Explicitly Built Modules for Swift

Now enabled by default, this feature:

• Improves build efficiency and reliability
• Provides more deterministic module sharing
• Speeds up Swift debugging through module reuse

Swift Build Open Source

Apple has open-sourced Swift Build, the engine powering Xcode, enabling community contributions to the core build system.

Enhanced Security

New capability provides Apple-level security protections including pointer authentication, recommended for apps with significant attack surfaces.

Revolutionary UI Testing

Enhanced Automation Recording

• Completely new code generation system
• Concise, readable test code generation
• Multiple identifier options for element selection
• Integration with Test Report's Automation Explorer

Improved Device Support

• Hardware keyboard interaction support
• Hardware button press automation
• Better cross-device testing capabilities

New Testing Metrics

• XCTHitchMetric for measuring UI responsiveness
• Runtime API Checks for threading issues
• Thread Performance Checker integration

Power & Performance Monitoring

Power Profiler Instrument

• Record power metrics during app usage
• Correlate power usage with thermal and charging states
• Support for both tethered and passive recording modes

Enhanced Organizer

• Trending Insights for Hang and Launch diagnostics
• Metric Recommendations comparing your app to similar apps
• URL sharing for diagnostic reports

The Bottom Line

Xcode 26 represents a quantum leap in developer productivity and app quality. The combination of AI-powered assistance, enhanced debugging tools, and streamlined workflows addresses the most common pain points developers face daily.

Whether you're exploring unfamiliar code, debugging complex issues, or building new features, Xcode 26 provides intelligent assistance that adapts to your needs. The integration of large language models with deep Xcode context creates a development experience that feels truly collaborative.

For detailed documentation and additional resources, visit the Apple Developer website and check out the comprehensive release notes.