What to know
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Apple will enforce new minimum SDK requirements on April 28, 2026.
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All Apple platform apps must be built with the corresponding 26-series SDK or later.
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This effectively means using Xcode 26 or newer to compile builds.
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Existing apps can still support older operating systems at runtime — only the build SDK changes.
Apple has updated its App Store submission rules — and this time it’s about how your app is built, not just what it does. Starting April 28, 2026, any app or game you upload via App Store Connect must be compiled with the most recent SDKs Apple offers across its platforms.
In practice, that means developers will need to adopt the 26-series Software Development Kits (SDKs) that correspond to Apple’s current OS lineup. These SDKs include updated APIs, frameworks, security features, and tools that Apple considers essential for modern apps.
Here’s how the new requirement breaks down:
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iOS and iPadOS apps must be built with the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 SDK or newer.
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tvOS apps must use the tvOS 26 SDK or later.
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visionOS apps need to be built with the visionOS 26 SDK or above.
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watchOS apps must meet the watchOS 26 SDK or later rule.
Collectively, these requirements mean you’ll be building with Xcode 26 or newer on macOS. That’s the version of Apple’s development environment that includes all of the 26-series SDKs for each platform.
Apple’s official announcement makes one thing clear: this isn’t about forcing users onto the newest OS versions. You still decide what minimum supported system version your app runs on. The rule strictly affects the build process — the underlying SDK used to compile your code before uploading it to the App Store.
For you as a developer, this update is both a requirement and an opportunity. By moving your projects to the latest SDKs and a modern toolchain, you unlock access to the newest platform features, performance improvements, and security enhancements Apple has introduced in the 26 generation. Waiting until the last minute could mean rushed changes or last-minute compatibility issues with third-party libraries or dependencies that are not yet compatible with Xcode 26.
Apple’s minimum SDK update for April 2026 is a milestone in the ongoing evolution of its development ecosystem. It pushes everyone toward more current, efficient, and secure code — and makes sure that new submissions take full advantage of what the latest OS versions can offer users.
