Apple Opens Submissions for 2026 Swift Student Challenge

Apple has opened submissions for the 2026 Swift Student Challenge, inviting student developers from around the globe to showcase their coding skills and creativity. The competition tasks participants with creating an interactive scene in an app playground that can be experienced within three minutes.



The submission window runs through February 28. To participate, students must be enrolled in an accredited academic institution, an official homeschool equivalent, a STEM organization's educational curriculum, or an Apple Developer Academy. Applicants cannot be employed as full-time developers and must meet specific age requirements based on their region.


Students are required to build their projects using Swift Playgrounds 4.6 or later, or Xcode 26 or later. Apple recently updated its development tools with the release of Xcode 26.3, which introduces new AI-powered coding features. Submitted app playgrounds must run entirely offline, as network connections are not permitted during the review process. Apple also caps ZIP submissions at 25 MB.

In a video session accompanying the launch, Apple emphasized the importance of design. Product managers highlighted the Liquid Glass design language introduced across Apple's platforms last year, encouraging students to rely on standard components for a polished result. The company advised creators to focus on solving a specific problem or telling a clear story, rather than attempting to build overly complex features without a defined purpose.

Previous winners Adrit Rao and Marina Lee were featured in the launch materials, sharing how the challenge impacted their careers. Rao developed an app simulating various eye conditions, while Lee created a tool to assist with wildfire evacuations. Both noted that prior coding experience is not strictly necessary, emphasizing that the challenge itself can serve as a learning platform for those new to Swift.

Apple selects 350 winners in total, with 50 of those named as Distinguished Winners for outstanding submissions. Students are eligible to receive the award up to three times, though the Distinguished Winner recognition can only be earned once.


Submissions can be made through the Apple Developer website.

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