Apple has officially released tvOS 26, the latest software update for its Apple TV devices, bringing a fresh design language, enhanced entertainment features, and improved user interface elements to the living room streaming experience. Announced on September 15, 2025, by tech analyst Benjamin Mayo, the update targets Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models, with compatibility extending to any Apple TV released from 2015 onward.
The installation process is straightforward for users eager to upgrade. By navigating to Settings > System > Software Update within the Apple TV interface, owners can download and apply tvOS 26 seamlessly. This accessibility ensures that a broad range of devices can benefit from the enhancements, though Apple notes hardware limitations for certain visual and performance-intensive elements.
At the core of tvOS 26 is the introduction of the Liquid Glass redesign, a platform-wide aesthetic overhaul that infuses the interface with realistic light reflections and refractions reminiscent of actual glass materials. This subtle yet sophisticated update enhances the visual appeal without overwhelming the user experience. Key areas affected include the Control Center, which now distorts underlying content with blur and refraction effects for a more dynamic look—particularly striking on OLED televisions.
App icons have been refreshed to match their iOS 26 counterparts, ensuring consistency across Apple’s devices. Even the home screen dock receives a sparkling edge treatment, contributing to an overall polished and modern feel. These changes represent a harmonious evolution of tvOS, making it feel more integrated with Apple’s design philosophy.
The Apple TV app undergoes its most significant redesign in recent years, incorporating Liquid Glass elements to modernize its presentation. A notable shift is the transition from landscape to portrait-oriented poster artwork for lists of movies and TV shows, providing a cleaner browsing experience. The Top 10 lists now feature a visually appealing treatment for numbering.
One of the most user-facing changes is in the Continue Watching queue, now displayed as integrated cards that overlay playback progress bars and text descriptions directly onto imagery. This streamlined approach reduces visual noise and makes it easier to pick up where one left off. However, Apple has removed the previous option to use a still frame from the current episode as artwork.
Entertainment enthusiasts will appreciate the expansions to Apple Music Sing, introducing a remote karaoke microphone mode that allows users to pair an iPhone wirelessly with the Apple TV. Vocals captured via the iPhone are routed through the television’s speakers, complete with customizable reverb effects. This setup fosters social interaction, as connected friends can queue songs or send emoji reactions to the screen.
Beyond karaoke, Apple Music receives broader lyric enhancements, including translations and pronunciation guides for supported songs. These updates position Apple Music as a more inclusive service on the Apple TV, bridging cultural and linguistic gaps in music enjoyment.
Addressing multi-user households, tvOS 26 streamlines profile switching with a new automatic interface. Upon waking from sleep mode, the Apple TV now prompts users with a dedicated “Who’s watching?” screen, reducing the chance of accessing shared content accidentally. This feature can be enabled or disabled via Settings > Users and Accounts > Who’s watching?.
In the realm of screensavers, Apple continues its tradition of captivating Aerial videos, adding a collection showcasing lush landscapes from India. Users gain unprecedented customization, with fine-grained controls in Settings to select or exclude specific videos from the rotation.
Audio enhancements cater to setups involving AirPlay 2 speakers, allowing Apple TV owners to designate any compatible device as a default audio output. This configuration automatically routes video sound to the chosen speaker whenever content plays on the TV.
FaceTime sees incremental improvements tailored for the big screen, with incoming call notifications now appearing directly on the Apple TV. Calls can be accepted and managed via a paired iPhone or connected HomePod. Live Captions support has expanded, providing real-time subtitles for better accessibility during conversations.
