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tvOS 26 is Compatible With These Apple TV Models

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Apple has seeded the first tvOS 26 beta to developers for testing, and we have confirmed that the software update is compatible with all Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models.

tvOS-26-Apple-Newsroom.jpg

It is particularly impressive that tvOS 26 supports the original Apple TV HD model from 2015, although the new Liquid Glass design and some other added features are limited to the newer Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and Apple TV 4K (3rd generation).

Apple says the first tvOS 26 public beta will be available next month, and the update will be released to the general public later this year.

Apple shared a press release outlining several new features and changes coming with tvOS 26, including the option to automatically display profiles when the Apple TV wakes, an enhanced Apple Music Sing experience, and more.

Article Link: tvOS 26 is Compatible With These Apple TV Models
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/09/tvos-26-compatible-apple-tv-models/
Well they finally gave the Apple TV HD the boot, TVOS 18 has been slothful disaster, wish I could go back to TVOS 17. o_O
 
Of course I'm the complete fool who recently furnished their home with 1st gen Apple TV 4K units in all rooms, after finally getting rid of the laggy HD models. The speed boost here felt like going from hard drive to solid state drive.

They spent half the keynote talking about the liquid glass design to get me all hyped, and now I learn I'm getting a passive-aggressive design indicator to upgrade to a newer model, lest I'll be stuck with the old hat UI.

I feel attacked!
 
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Best feature of TVOS 26…connect to any speaker that supports AirPlay and stay connected. Perfect for outdoor setup so bar TV stays connected to Sonos/Sonance yard speakers. Finally. Now just support video syncing across multiple AppleTVs so when the games are on they are all synced up.
 
nathansz said:
what do you need/want it to do that requires a hardware update?
Click to expand...
It's been a long time since the last update, so a new hardware update should be soon. So what I want/need, is not to be upset, because I buy the latest version, only to have, a new version released a week later, that will probably last 4 years longer than the current version. And the feature I currently want that not available on any of my first gen 4K models, is snoopy screensaver.
 
gaximus said:
I've been waiting for a new model to be announced, I really want to update my Apple TV.
Click to expand...
Same, I need an Apple TV asap (as my current streaming box stopped working) and it would be really silly to buy the current one at this point after so many years on the market. Honestly it’s bizarre Apple haven’t replaced it yet, even if it’s just a chip bump refresh.
 
Anyone seen a beta and what if any changes the liquid glass could mean for subtitles?
 
bacaramac said:
Best feature of TVOS 26…connect to any speaker that supports AirPlay and stay connected. Perfect for outdoor setup so bar TV stays connected to Sonos/Sonance yard speakers. Finally. Now just support video syncing across multiple AppleTVs so when the games are on they are all synced up.
Click to expand...
Yes, finally! I Downloaded the developer's beta right away. Hooked my Apple TV up with both AirPods and Wiim Amp as permanent speakers, went to bed, woke up, and boy, all speakers are still connected as standards! I only had the Wiim Amp for a couple of weeks, and the connection part was already starting to get on my nerves.

EDIT: Yes it was connected - No it didnt play. All a big mess but I guess they'll figure it out with time. Going back to last version.
 
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jz0309 said:
my 2nd gen ATV 4k has become quite laggy recently, not the actual playback but when switching between apps. So while 26 is supported on it, not sure I want to update in the fall ...
Click to expand...

Doubly slow on the Apple TV HD which I'm still rocking... a few apps (Dazn especially) can take up to 30 seconds to load and become responsive.

Here's hoping Apple release a new Apple TV soon. I will buy it on day 1.
 
midori matcha said:
Of course I'm the complete fool who recently furnished their home with 1st gen Apple TV 4K units in all rooms, after finally getting rid of the laggy HD models. The speed boost here felt like going from hard drive to solid state drive.

They spent half the keynote talking about the liquid glass design to get me all hyped, and now I learn I'm getting a passive-aggressive design indicator to upgrade to a newer model, lest I'll be stuck with the old hat UI.

I feel attacked!
Click to expand...
We bought an Apple TV 4K first gen like 3-4 years ago, second hand, even without control (Apple TV 3rd gen control worked fine) and it was and it is actually, one of the best gadget we have

It just works. You click the control, it turns on the TV and boom, clean interface, smooth performance, good image quality, etc. It will get tv26 at least, I don't really care about the new interface
 
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Knowing that lots of people with older ATV4K's (like me with about 4 1st gen and 2 2nd gen), I wouldn't mind upgrading the 4 older ones, but I'll be damned if I'm going to pay full price for 3rd gen, only to have Apple come out with some fabulous 4th gen shortly after.

If would behoove Apple to release the new Apple TV 4K 4th gen (or ATV 4K 26?) before tvOS releases.
 
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