iOS 18.4 and tvOS 18.4 are currently available in beta, and they come with some small enhancements to the Apple TV app worth noting. Here are three nice changes coming soon to your iPhone, Apple TV 4K, and more.
UI changes make TV app elements more prominent in iOS 18.4
Apple’s TV app is very likely getting more use right now than it ever has before. That’s all thanks to Severance, which has quickly become the most viewed Apple TV+ series ever during its second season run.
Although iOS 18.4 and tvOS 18.4 aren’t expected to launch publicly until after Severance’s season ends, Apple has a few small but welcome enhancements coming in the updates.
The revised TV app will include three additions:
- Large plus button on featured titles
- Episode release schedule info
- Updated fonts and icons
These are ultimately just UI enhancements, but in my time with the beta they’ve proven to make for a better experience overall.
Details on the TV app enhancements
Take the new plus button on featured titles. At the top of the TV app, there’s a rotating carousel of different features TV shows and movies to check out.
Currently in iOS 18.3, you’ll find a small plus button in the top-right corner to add a title to your Watchlist. But in iOS 18.4, that button gets way bigger and moved somewhere that’s hard to miss. You’ll now find it right next to the Play button.
Similarly, for shows that are still airing new episodes, iOS 18.4 makes the release schedule far more prominent than before.
Previously, the TV app showed some description text under the show’s title that sometimes included info on when to expect new episodes.
Now, iOS 18.4 sets that info apart by placing it above the title in its own dedicated banner. So for example with Apple’s medical drama, Berlin ER, you’ll see ‘New Episodes Wednesdays’ above the title.
Finally, the TV app has also updated its fonts and iconography throughout the app. There are new icons for the Movies Spotlight and Sports sections, for example. And fonts throughout have been updated to provide a fresh, yet familiar look.
None of these changes are especially revolutionary, but they’re the kind of iterative improvements that should lead to a better app experience overall.
Apple TV+ is available for $9.99 per month and features hit TV shows and movies like Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Silo, and Shrinking.
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