Apple's Latest tvOS 26 Update for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD (2015)
Latest Apple TV 4K Enhancements in tvOS 26: Key Features Unveiled
Apple has made some major announcements regarding the new tvOS 26 update for its Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD (2015) devices. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:
Aligning with Apple's Operating Systems
The change from tvOS 18 to tvOS 26 sees Apple updating its naming convention to match its other operating systems, like iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and MacOS 26. This means all Mac devices, including the Apple TV 4K, will now share a unified "Liquid Glass" interface.
Liquid Glass Interface
Say goodbye to pesky, opaque control icons. With the Liquid Glass design, you'll get transparent playback control icons that let you see the action onscreen. Plus, the Control Center will also become more transparent, enhancing your viewing experience.
Poster Art
The Apple TV app is getting the Liquid Glass treatment too, introducing a new Poster Art design. This means more show recommendations will pop up on your screen as you navigate through them.
Display Profiles
Curate a personal set of viewing recommendations and custom watchlists in both the Apple TV app and Apple Music with the new display profiles feature in tvOS 26. Apple is also developing a new API for developers to connect app logins to your Apple account for easy, seamless sign-ins.
Sing Karaoke Feature Enhancements
tvOS 26 allows you to use your iPhone as a microphone for the Sing Karaoke feature, amplifying your voice through the TV's speakers. Plus, you can react to songs with on-screen emojis and apply visual effects.
More Personalized FaceTime
Make your FaceTime calls on Apple TV more personal with a contact's custom photo and name displayed when you start a call. Live caption options are also being expanded, and Apple TV will be able to display Live Captions for FaceTime conversations.
Additional Features
- Aerial Screen Savers: Apple TV will now offer a set of aerial screen savers, showcasing scenes from India, as well as a personalized screen saver option.
- AirPlay Speaker Selection: Select a specific AirPlay-enabled speaker as the permanent speaker for your Apple TV box.
For more tech updates and happenings, sign up for our newsletter! In the meantime, read about the new AutoMix and Music Pins, lyrics translation/pronunciation, and iPhone-as-mic features in Apple Music on tvOS. And don't forget to check out the latest upgrades for Apple CarPlay and AirPods Pro 2/AirPods 4 with iOS 26!
The Liquid Glass interface in tvOS 26 will provide transparent playback control icons, allowing you to see the action onscreen more clearly. This update also enables the use of an iPhone as a microphone for the Sing Karaoke feature, enhancing the sing-along experience by amplifying your voice through the TV's speakers.
