tvOS 26

Apple announced tvOS 26 on June 9, 2025, with developer testing and a free autumn update planned. Newsroom and the security register date release to September 15. Apple TV HD and 4K models remained on the system list, though individual features did not share the same scope.

Original typographic card; not a historical screenshot.

Family: tvOS
Version: 26
Platform: Apple TV HD / Apple TV 4K

Apple · tvOS 26 preview · 2025-06-09 · Apple · Platform releases · 2025-09-15 · Apple · Security releases · Apple · tvOS 26 security content

Liquid Glass introduced translucent controls and redesigned posters in the TV app. Apple limited it to second-generation or later Apple TV 4K. Showing profiles on wake and an API linking app logins to an Apple Account aimed to reduce steps, not automatically adapt every older app.

Apple · tvOS 26 preview · 2025-06-09 · Apple · Apple TV software update notes

Apple Music Sing could use a compatible iPhone as a microphone with third-generation Apple TV 4K according to Apple's notes. FaceTime added Contact Posters and expanded caption languages; lyrics translation and pronunciation remained limited to listed songs, languages and scripts. This is not universal translation of the whole catalogue.

Apple · tvOS 26 preview · 2025-06-09 · Apple · Apple TV software update notes

Later notes distinguish changes: 26.0.1 addressed audio syncing in certain apps, 26.2 enabled TV-app profiles without an Apple Account and 26.4 consolidated iTunes Movies and TV Shows into the TV app. In October 2026 the 26.6.1 row was restricted to HD and first-generation 4K while 27 targeted newer models.

Apple · Security releases · Apple · Apple TV software update notes