Underrated Vision OS 2 Features You Should Try

The most underrated visionOS 2 features are the ones Apple didn’t put on stage: the ability to convert any 2D photo into a Spatial Photo, the redesigned Guest User mode with app-specific access, and the new Bora Bora environment that finally makes the Virtual Display feel like a real workspace. These quiet upgrades change how you actually use the headset daily, far more than the headline gestures or Mac Virtual Display improvements. Here’s what they do, why they matter, and how to get the most out of them.

Formula

The calculator above works out your average walking or running pace and speed. The formulas are:

• Pace (min/km) = Time (minutes) ÷ Distance (km)
• Speed (km/h) = Distance (km) ÷ (Time (minutes) ÷ 60)

Where Time is in minutes, Distance is in kilometers, Pace is the number of minutes to cover one kilometer, and Speed is kilometers per hour. If you use miles, convert distance to km (1 mile = 1.60934 km) or use the pace in min/mile by dividing time by distance in miles.

Worked Example

Using the default values: you walk for 30 minutes and cover 2.5 km.

1. Pace = 30 ÷ 2.5 = 12.0 min/km
2. Speed = 2.5 ÷ (30 ÷ 60) = 2.5 ÷ 0.5 = 5.0 km/h

The calculator shows 12.00 min/km and 5.00 km/h. That’s a brisk walk, which matches the default distance and time.

Background: What visionOS 2 Actually Changed

visionOS 2, announced at WWDC 2024 and released in September 2024, was the first major update to the Apple Vision Pro’s operating system. While the keynote focused on new gestures (like tapping your fingers together to open the Home View) and the ability to turn regular photos into Spatial Photos, many of the most useful changes were buried in the release notes and settings menus. The update also brought a new Bora Bora environment, improved Mac Virtual Display (now offering a wider, curved ultrawide display), and better Travel Mode for trains. But the features that get the most praise from daily users are the ones that improve comfort, privacy, and workflow—not the flashy demos.

How the Underrated Features Work

Three features stand out as genuinely underrated:

• 2D Photo to Spatial Photo conversion: In the Photos app, you can select any regular photo and tap the “Spatializeâ€� button. The system uses machine learning to estimate depth and creates a 3D version. It works best with photos that have clear foreground and background separation, like portraits or landscapes with a person in front. The result is a photo that appears to have depth when viewed on the Vision Pro, even though it was originally flat.
• Guest User with app-specific access: Instead of handing over your entire headset, you can now choose which apps a guest can use. You can also set a time limit (e.g., 30 minutes) and the guest session ends automatically. This is a huge privacy win—before, a guest could see your notifications, messages, and all your apps.
• Bora Bora environment: The new environment is a serene beach scene that replaces your surroundings. It’s not just a pretty background—it’s designed to reduce visual clutter and improve focus. The environment is fully immersive, and you can adjust the level of immersion with the Digital Crown. It’s particularly useful when using the Virtual Display, because it gives you a distraction-free backdrop.

How to Choose Which Features to Use

Not every feature is for everyone. Here’s a quick guide:

• If you watch movies or view personal photos, try the Spatialize feature on your favorite shots. It’s a one-tap upgrade that makes old memories feel new.
• If you share your headset with family or colleagues, set up Guest User with app restrictions. You’ll avoid awkward moments where someone sees your private messages.
• If you work long hours in the Virtual Display, switch to the Bora Bora environment. It’s less visually busy than the default environments and helps reduce eye strain.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that Spatializing a photo requires a special camera or that it only works with photos taken on the iPhone 15 Pro. That’s false—any photo in your library can be spatialized, but the quality varies. Photos with a single subject and a clear background work best; busy scenes with many objects at different depths can look artificial.

Another issue: Guest User mode can be confusing to set up. You have to enable it in Settings, then choose which apps are allowed. Some users report that the time limit doesn’t always work as expected—if the guest is in the middle of an app, the session may not end until they close it. To avoid this, set the time limit before handing over the headset.

Finally, the Bora Bora environment is not available in all regions or on all versions. If you don’t see it, check that you have the latest visionOS update.

Comparison: visionOS 2 vs. visionOS 1

Compared to the original visionOS, the update brings several quality-of-life improvements:

• Gestures: New palm-tap and finger-tap gestures are more intuitive than the old look-and-pinch method.
• Mac Virtual Display: Now supports a 4K ultrawide virtual monitor, which is a game-changer for productivity.
• Travel Mode: Now works on trains, not just planes, and is more stable.
• Home View: You can now rearrange apps and even put them on the ceiling, which sounds gimmicky but is actually handy for lying down.
• Privacy: Guest User improvements are the most significant privacy upgrade.

Costs and Availability

visionOS 2 is a free update for all Vision Pro users. There are no in-app purchases required for the core features. The only cost is the hardware itself—the Vision Pro starts at $3,499, which is why these software features are so valuable: they make an expensive device more useful without extra cost. The Bora Bora environment and Spatialize feature are included in the base OS.

Safety and Comfort Considerations

When using any immersive environment, including Bora Bora, be aware of your physical surroundings. The Vision Pro’s pass-through camera shows the real world, but when you’re fully immersed, you might not see obstacles. Always use the Digital Crown to adjust immersion when moving around. Also, take regular breaks to avoid eye strain—Apple recommends a 5-minute break every 30 minutes, though this is a general guideline, not a hard rule. If you experience dizziness or nausea, reduce the immersion level or stop using the headset for a while.

Alternatives to the Underrated Features

If you don’t have a Vision Pro, or if you want similar functionality elsewhere:

• For spatial photos: You can use a 3D camera like the LucidPix app on iPhone (which creates 3D photos) or a dedicated 3D camera like the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 (now discontinued).
• For guest access: On other VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3, you can use “Guest Modeâ€� which is similar but less granular—you can only choose between full access or none.
• For immersive environments: The Quest has a “Passthroughâ€� mode that lets you see the real world, but it’s not as polished as the Vision Pro’s environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I spatialize any photo? Yes, any photo in your library can be spatialized, but results vary. Photos with a clear subject and background work best. You can also undo the effect anytime.

Does Guest User mode let the guest see my notifications? No, when you set up Guest User, you can choose which apps the guest can access. Notifications from other apps are hidden, and the guest cannot access your messages, mail, or photos unless you explicitly allow them.

Is the Bora Bora environment available in all countries? It’s part of the standard visionOS 2 update, so it should be available wherever the Vision Pro is sold. If you don’t see it, make sure your software is up to date.

Can I use the Mac Virtual Display with a Windows PC? No, the Mac Virtual Display only works with Macs. For Windows, you’d need a third-party app like Virtual Desktop, but it’s not officially supported.

Does visionOS 2 improve battery life? Apple didn’t claim any battery improvements in visionOS 2. Battery life remains around 2 hours of general use, but the new environments and gestures may have a minor impact.

Will these features come to the Vision Pro 2? There’s no official information about future hardware. However, software features like these are likely to be included in future versions of visionOS, which will run on any compatible headset.

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in t | Time spent (min) | min | 30 | 0 | 1440
in d | Distance walked (km) | km | 2.5 | 0 | 100
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2