visionOS is backwards compatible with existing iOS and iPadOS apps, which are rendered in windows within the user environment and are automatically compatible with visionOS's input system. Although all apps are available on visionOS by default, the developers of iOS and iPadOS apps have the option to opt out of visionOS compatibility. Apple claims that over 1 million apps from iOS and iPadOS are available on visionOS. In addition to iPadOS and iOS apps, over 600 native visionOS apps have been developed specifically for the platform at launch, according to Apple. Apple also claims 100 Apple Arcade games will be compatible with visionOS at launch, the majority of which can make use of visionOS's gamepad compatibility.
Many popular productivity apps have released fully-optimized visionOS versions, including Microsoft 365 apps (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.), Adobe Lightroom, Slack, Zoom, and Webex. Many streaming apps are also optimized for the platform, such as HBO Max, Disney+, Prime Video, Paramount+, YouTube and ESPN.
Some of the most popular entertainment apps for iOS and iPadOS including Netflix and Spotify, have not made their iOS or iPadOS apps available to run on , recommending users instead use their respective websites on Safari. YouTube was not available at launch. However, it was "on [the] roadmap" and is now has a fully supported visionOS app.