Apple has officially released tvOS 26, bringing a host of new features and a stunning visual overhaul to the Apple TV 4K. This update, which also rolls out to the Apple TV HD, introduces a unified design language with Liquid Glass, an innovative new way to interact with your content.
A New Look: The Liquid Glass Interface
The most noticeable change in tvOS 26 is the all-new Liquid Glass design. This isn’t just a new color scheme; it’s a dynamic, translucent material that reflects and refracts what’s behind it. Whether you’re in the main menu or navigating within an app, the interface subtly adapts to your content, creating a beautiful and immersive experience without being a distraction.
Apple says the new design, which is also a key feature of iOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and other new operating systems, was inspired by the depth of visionOS. The result is a more fluid and expressive user interface that feels both elegant and magical. It’s important to note that the full Liquid Glass experience is exclusive to the second and third-generation Apple TV 4K models.
Take the Stage with iPhone Karaoke
For those who love to sing along, tvOS 26 introduces a major upgrade to Apple Music Sing. You can now use your iPhone as a wireless microphone for karaoke sessions, with your voice projected through your TV speakers. This feature, which requires an iPhone 11 or later and a third-generation Apple TV 4K, also supports multiple iPhones for group sing-alongs, complete with on-screen emoji reactions. Apple Music Sing even uses AI to lower the vocals on tracks, letting your voice shine.
Other Notable Updates
Beyond the headline features, tvOS 26 is packed with other enhancements that improve the Apple TV experience:
- Permanent AirPlay Speaker Pairing: You can now set a compatible AirPlay speaker as your default audio output, a significant quality-of-life improvement for those who prefer wireless sound. However, this feature is currently limited to stereo and doesn’t support Dolby Atmos.
- DualSense Controller Support: Gamers will be pleased to know that the Sony DualSense controller can now be paired with the Apple TV 4K, and can even be used as a remote.
- Personalized Screensavers: The stunning Aerial screensavers have been updated with new shots from India. You can now also select or deselect specific screensavers to customize your viewing experience.
- Streamlined User Profiles: User profiles can now be set to automatically appear when the Apple TV wakes from sleep, making it faster to jump back into your personalized recommendations and playlists.
- Matter/Thread Support & More: Under the hood, tvOS 26 adds improvements to Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio, FaceTime, and smart home connectivity.
How to Update
If you’re ready to experience tvOS 26, you can update your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD by going to Settings > System > Software Updates and selecting Update Software.
