Apple has announced tvOS 26, the forthcoming software update for Apple TV set-top box owners.
The reveal at WWDC 2025 saw Apple deploy a consistent naming convention across its software platforms, meaning they’ll be named after the calendar year rather than the version number.
However, there’s more to the update than the name. Here are the best new features coming in tvOS 26 this autumn.
Liquid Glass
Apple is bringing the new universal design language Liquid Glass to Apple TV later this year. The attractive new translucent design, which offers the appearance of real glass, looks as if it’ll really shine on Apple TV.
It means the menus won’t get in the way of the content, with the layered bubbles no longer obscuring the view when you cycle through audio and subtitle options, as well as picture-in-picture settings.
The Control Centre (main pic) follows the same design language which means you no longer need to have the upper right portion of the display completely obscured when selecting profiles, audio options and other key settings like the sleep timer, and game controller.
User your iPhone as a mic in Apple Music Sing
The Apple Music karaoke mode just got way better. The microphone in a companion iPhone can be paired up to amplify songs and, judging by Apple’s wording in the new release, it appears multiple microphones can be deployed. Each user can use their own phones to queue-up songs and react to the performance with emoji.
The new Live Translation feature is also joining the party, while there’s a pronunciation guide for singers not belting out the track in their native languages.
New Poster Art in Apple TV app
The main content app will use Liquid Glass to showcase new poster art. Apple says it allows more shows and movies to be displayed on a single screen.
Easier to access personal profiles
Apple will give users the option to automatically select a user profile when the Apple TV is awoken from its slumber. That’ll save the manual switching required to ensure your personalised recommendations and Apple Music playlists are available.
FaceTime boost
Apple is making the FaceTime app for tvOS more like its iOS counterpart. There’s live captions in a number of languages. There’ll also be an opportunity to answer calls via audio on connected HomePod speakers or with a companion iPhone.
tvOS 26 release date
Apple usually releases its tvOS updates shortly after the iPhone hardware event that takes place in early-mid-September each year. We’d expect that to be the case this year also.
