The iPhone Duo is about to go on sale, and Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) has already begun accepting apps and games compiled with Xcode 27.1 and optimized specifically for the iPhone Duo. Here are the full details.
Over the past several weeks, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) rolled out multiple Xcode 27.1 beta versions, letting developers compile and debug apps and games for the iPhone Duo. Today, the company officially released the first release candidate (RC1) of Xcode 27.1, which developers can download from its official website.
Earlier this evening, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) posted an announcement in its developer news hub: developers can now submit apps and games built for the iPhone Duo through App Store Connect. Once compiled or recompiled with Xcode 27.1, an app's App Store product page will automatically display a dedicated badge informing users that the app has been optimized for the iPhone Duo.
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) also made a hard requirement clear: starting in April 2027, every app and game submitted to App Store Connect must include iPhone Duo device screenshots.
In the same announcement, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) added that simply recompiling an existing app with Xcode 27.1 is enough to gain iPhone Duo development support; developers can use the Device Hub simulator to preview how an app runs on the new device across its different folding states and in both portrait and landscape orientations.
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) is also providing a series of supporting resources to help developers complete app adaptation and prepare store page assets: 1. Review design guidelines and template files. 2. Manage App Store listing assets. 3. Check app preview video specifications. 4. Check device screenshot specifications.
In the coming days, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) will also hold several offline iPhone Duo development workshops, and developers can sign up via a link.
The iPhone Duo will open for pre-orders on Friday, October 16, and will officially ship and go on sale in physical stores on October 23. Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) previously announced that users can prepare for pre-orders starting October 12, with further details available in its official announcement.