Apple has announced tvOS 26, along with confirming which models of its streaming box will benefit from the update when it arrives later this year.
Arguably, the biggest update of all Apple’s software upgrades announced at WWDC 2025 is the inclusion of a new Liquid Glass look, with more translucent icons and a smarter overall look.
This new Liquid Glass design and some of the features are exclusive to the Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and (3rd generation), but the update will still be available for older models.
Which Apple TV models work with tvOS 26?
The software will be available for:
- Apple TV HD (2015)
- Apple TV 4K (1st generation, 2017)
- Apple TV 4K (2nd generation, 2021)
- Apple TV 4K (3rd generation, 2022)
What’s new?
The headline features include the ability for the correct profile to be displayed automatically when you wake the device, an enhanced Apple Music Sing experience (this requires an iPhone SE 2/iPhone or newer and Apple TV 4K 3rd gen), smarter FaceTime calling, and the ability to set any AirPlay speaker as the default audio output. There are also new screensavers.
The tvOS update is part of a wider rebranding of Apple’s operating systems, which sees all versions fall in line with the new numbering system. That includes iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.
For more on the new software announced by Apple during WWDC, see our iPadOS 26 devices list, MacOS 26 devices list and why we think WWDC 25 was a success. We’ve also compared iOS 26 vs iOS 18 to really see what’s new.
tvOS 26 will be available to developers in beta form for testing before the Public Beta arrives next month. Expect a full release later in the year, possibly September or early October.
