Playgrounds app with the latest SDK (OS 26)

Yeah, this is tricky. We do hope to ship an update to the Swift Playground app [1] but I don’t have any timeline info to share. I can’t even say whether it’ll happen before or after the Swift Student Challenge submission period [2]. Given that, my only advice is to plan to develop using the tools that are currently available. If things change before the submission period ends, you can then adjust accordingly.

I’m sorry I don’t have better news here.

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Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

[1] See here.

[2] Per the main page, that’s 2026-02-06…28.

Oh, I also wanted to do something with ARKit and Foundation models that probably requires an iPad for the Swift Student Challenge and looks like I have run into the same wall.

I just wanted to update this thread to cover two points:

• This is being discussed internally, but I still don’t have any info to share as to how/when/if it might be resolved. Sorry.
• I’m going to use this thread as the ‘lead’ thread for this issue. If and when there’s news, I’ll post an update here.

Share and Enjoy
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Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

Hello there, since Swift Playgrounds doesn't use the latest SDK for Liquid Glass, is it acceptable that I use my own glass system instead (seems to work well in the playground)? Also, I am not able to make portrait mode be locked when tested on iPad, is there any method to lock it in SP?

Thanks, The Bee Applications

is it acceptable that I use my own glass system instead …?

I don’t think you’ll get a detailed answer to that. When folks ask questions about what is or isn’t acceptable, I can only really point them at the challenge rules, and specifically:

• Developer > Swift Student Challenge > Eligibility and requirements
• Developer > Swift Student Challenge > Terms and Conditions

Also, I am not able to make portrait mode be locked when tested on iPad, is there any method to lock it in SP?

I recommend that you start a new thread with that specific question. Put it in the UI Frameworks subtopic that’s most appropriate for the UI framework you’re using, and tag it with Swift Student Challenge.

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Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

I'm currently facing this exact problem. Have two GREAT features implemented with both ARKit and FoundationModels, but I can't choose between them.

If and when there’s news, I’ll post an update here.

I’ve been closely following this issue internally. Unfortunately, I don’t have any good news to share. And given that submissions close in less than a week, I think the only reasonable option is for you to develop your submission based on the current choices, namely:

• Swift Playground 4.6.x as it’s currently shipping
• Xcode 26 or later, with the submission running in the simulator

I’m sorry I don’t have better news )-:

Share and Enjoy
—
Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"