Sharing high-tech gear like the Vision Pro used to feel like a chore. At launch, every guest had to endure a full calibration process for eyes and hands each time they tried it, even if they’d used it before. Settings didn’t persist, and the owner had to reset permissions manually—a hassle when passing the headset around at a gathering. According to AppleInsider, those days are over. The latest update introduces quality-of-life tweaks that save session settings, meaning a guest can pick up where they left off without starting from scratch.
The process begins with the owner accessing Guest Mode via the revamped Control Center in visionOS 2. Look at your hand palm-down, flip it over, and pinch—a simple gesture opens the controls. From there, you select the Guest Mode icon (a small person silhouette) and choose which apps the guest can access—either limiting them to currently open apps or granting full access to everything. Once set, the guest completes a quick 90-second calibration, and they’re in. If they take the headset off and put it back on later, the session resumes seamlessly, no recalibration required.
AirPlay Integration Steals the Show
One standout feature is the enhanced AirPlay support. Owners can now mirror the Vision Pro’s display to an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, letting others see what the guest is experiencing in real time. Setup is straightforward: tap the AirPlay icon (two overlapping squares) in Control Center, pick a nearby device, and ensure audio routes back to the Vision Pro for an immersive experience. If the guest pauses to hand the headset back, the AirPlay session picks up right where it left off—no black screens or awkward resets. This makes it perfect for showing off immersive videos or games to a group, turning a solo device into a shared spectacle.
Still a One-User Core
Despite these upgrades, Vision Pro remains a single-user device at heart. Guest Mode doesn’t support Optic ID, so features like Apple Pay or password-protected apps stay locked. Privacy is a priority—media blacks out on external displays during sensitive moments, and guests can’t access the owner’s full digital life unless explicitly allowed. AppleInsider notes this tradeoff: while great for entertainment (think watching Metallica’s immersive concerts), it’s less practical for deeper tasks like browsing or messaging. For now, it’s a controlled demo rather than a multi-user system.
Room for Growth
The improvements are impressive, but not perfect. There’s no option to set a time limit for Guest Mode, meaning the owner must manually end it if the headset changes hands frequently. Without this, every removal requires re-authentication by the owner—a minor annoyance in busy settings. Apple could also expand app restrictions beyond the binary “open apps only” or “all apps” choice, offering more granular control. Still, compared to the clunky launch version, this is a massive leap forward.
Why It Matters
Apple Vision Pro’s high price and personal fit make sharing a rare necessity, but when it happens, it’s now a breeze. Whether demoing spatial computing to a curious friend or letting a spouse try an immersive film, the updated Guest Mode delivers. It’s not about replacing the owner’s experience—it’s about lowering the barrier to entry for others to peek inside Apple’s vision of the future. As visionOS evolves, these tweaks show Apple’s commitment to refining the platform without overhauling its core.
For tech enthusiasts, this update makes Vision Pro a more social device, even if just for brief moments. With shipping starting in February 2024 and steady updates since, Apple is clearly listening to user feedback. As Friday, March 21, 2025, nears—the next publication date per AppleMagazine’s schedule—this Guest Mode overhaul ensures the Vision Pro stays relevant, one shared experience at a time.
