Apple’s WWDC keynote is the biggest event of the year, kicking off the annual cycle of software updates and changes to every single platform — iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Only a few people buy a new Apple product every year, but everyone has something to look forward to after WWDC. How can you watch it all unfold this Monday?
You can watch the live stream on the web on Apple’s website or on YouTube, inside the free Apple Developer app, on your smart TV, and for a select lucky few, in person — my tips on how to make the most of that and more are all below.
How to watch Apple’s WWDC23 keynote
This year is going to be a big one. We already know that iOS 17 is getting some huge new accessibility features. Rumors say iOS is also getting a fresh new Control Center, Apple Watch apps are going to be completely reimagined to be faster and lighter, a new 15-inch MacBook Air will be released, and, of course, Apple’s vision for a mixed-reality headset platform that will eventually supplant the iPhone.
The keynote starts at the following times:
- 10 a.m. Pacific, United States
- 1 p.m. Eastern, United States
- 6 p.m. GMT, Europe
- 10:30 p.m. IST, India
- 3 a.m. Tuesday AET, Australia
No. 1: On Apple’s website, best for a computer
Watch on apple.com (on Monday)
The easiest way to watch the keynote is to just go to apple.com. Come Monday morning, the live stream will take over the homepage.
Later, it’ll move to apple.com/apple-events/, where you can always go to rewatch old presentations. There, you’ll also see a link to Apple Event videos on Apple Podcasts — a convenient way to rewatch (and download) every Apple Event since January 2007.
No. 2: YouTube live stream, a second choice across all platforms
Watch the YouTube live stream here
Another convenient way to watch the keynote is on YouTube. The watch page is up now in advance, where you can bookmark it, add it to a calendar event, or keep it open until it starts on Monday.
The YouTube live stream is the most accessible across any device and platform. In the past, Apple’s website has gone down if there’s too much traffic (though I don’t recall that happening recently) so the YouTube live stream is a universal backup plan.
But the YouTube stream usually runs a little bit behind, and I vastly prefer the video player on Apple’s website to YouTube’s. If you’re watching on a computer, I recommend you go to apple.com but keep YouTube muted in the background, just in case.
No. 3: In the Apple Developer app, best for Apple devices
Download Apple Developer from the App Store
Web browsers can be unreliable and crashy. If you have an Apple device (which you probably do, as a Cult of Mac reader interested in an Apple keynote) the best way to watch is in the Apple Developer app. It’s completely free — you don’t need to have a paid developer account.
It’s also where you can find WWDC session videos that are published throughout the week, where you can see how new features work in detail — and how they’re implemented in apps.
Apple Developer is available on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.
No. 4: In the Apple TV app on your big screen
The best way to watch the keynote on your TV is in the Apple TV app. The Apple TV app isn’t just for Apple TV boxes. Any modern smart TV made by Samsung, LG, Vizio, Panasonic, Sony; any TV running Google TV software; or with a Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Playstation or Xbox plugged in can get the Apple TV app.
Here’s the full list of compatible TVs and game consoles.
No. 5: In person at Apple Park — here’s my advice
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
If you’re a registered developer who won the random lottery, a winner of the Swift Student Challenge, an engineer at a big enough company to get an invitation, an AR/VR-centric media outlet (interesting…) or a designated member of the press, you’ll be watching the keynote at Apple Park.
You can get a taste of what you’re in for by checking out my article on my experience attending last year.
Assuming it plays out like 2022, you have one critical decision to make: where to sit. There are three gigantic video screens — one outside on the greenery, two inside Caffè Macs.
Before the live stream begins, Apple execs Tim Cook and Craig Federighi are likely to come out and say hello on stage. If you’re sitting outside, you’ll see them in person; if you’re sitting inside, you’ll see them through a live camera feed.
Sure, plenty of great pictures of Cook and Federighi are out there. We all know what they look like. But if you want a picture of them yourself, captured with your own iPhone, seen with your own eyeballs, you’ll want to sit outside — get out there early to get a near-front-row seat. Just remember to put on the complimentary sunscreen.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Sitting inside Caffè Macs, you’ll be more comfortable. Seating there is more casual and roomy. The indoor crowd is a bit chattier; it could lead to some interesting conversations if you’re sitting near a few Apple engineers.
Speculation is that this year, the press will be seated separately inside the Steve Jobs Theater.
Check Cult of Mac for WWDC coverage and analysis
If you can’t watch live, you can find all the updates and news right here on Cult of Mac. We’ll cover all the announcements in depth.
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