Apple tvOS Versions Guide Everything You Need to Know
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Final version: tvOS 12..4.1 In 2018, Apple released another big software update for Apple TV: tvOS 12. The new software initially added support for Dolby Atmos sound on Apple TV 4K with up to 7.1.4 surround sound channels. Apple also brought a new zero sign-on experience for TV apps that support it; no more signing in to various cable providers to use their app on the Apple TV. The OS also included password AutoFill as long as you had an iPhone or iPad running iOS 12, too, along with several new aerial screensavers. Finally, tvOS 12 brought more developer support for home control systems like Control4, Crestron, and Savant, as well as support for third-party remotes to include Siri. Now at version 12.3, tvOS has a redesigned TV app that includes Watch Now, Movies, TV Shows, Sports, Kids, Library, and Search sections to make navigating and finding what you want to watch that much easier. The first version of the app (first seen in 2016) only had Watch Now, Sports, Library, Store, and Search areas. It will eventually integrate with Apple’s anticipated streaming service, Apple TV+, set to launch in the Fall of 2019. Key New Features: Support for Dolby AtmosZero sign-in for cable appsAutoFill from iOS devicesSpace-based screensaversSupport for more third-party home control systems and Siri-enabled remotesRedesigned TV appTell Siri where to play your videos and musicFind a Mac or iOS device
Final version: tvOS 11.4.1, July 9, 2018 The same 4th generation Apple TV received another software update in 2017, and though it wasn’t as hyped as the previous versions, several features were included for Apple’s television device. With tvOS 11, users were able to schedule dark mode based on the time of day, sync their Home Screen across multiple Apple TV devices (via iCloud), and set up their AirPods automatically like on iOS. The update also eventually included better support for live sports with the TV app (including Siri support), and the ability to get on-screen notifications for various games and teams. AirPlay 2 brought multi-room audio play to HomePod, while speakers connected to the Apple TV appeared in HomeKit. At the same time tvOS 11 came out, Apple also released a 4K Apple TV, which includes HDR support, too. This is also known as the 5th Generation Apple TV. Key New Features: Automatic Dark Mode schedulingHome Screen syncAutomatic AirPod pairingBetter Siri support for sports
Final version: tvOS 10.2.2, July 19, 2017 The following year, Apple released the next version of its Apple TV OS, tvOS 10. It included a brand-new Remote app for iPhone and iPad, a single-sign-on system for easier access to apps and media content, HomeKit support, and a dark mode. All of these features were available for the 4th generation Apple TV via a software update. Key New Features: iOS Remote app supportSingle sign-on for cable providersHomeKit supportDark mode
Final version: tvOS 9.2.2, July 18, 2016 Introduced in 2015 alongside the first version of iPad Pro and iPhone 6S, tvOS 9 brought new features to Apple TV’s 4th Generation device, including a built-in software development kit (SDK) for developers to create apps for the device and an Apple TV App Store to sell those apps to consumers. It also lets you search across apps with Siri, via the redesigned Siri Remote, which included a touchpad and a microphone. Key New Features: Built-in SDKtvOS App StoreSiri search across appsSupport for new Siri Remote
Apple tvOS Versions Guide: Everything You Need to Know
From tvOS 9 to tvOS 14
By Rob LeFebvre Rob LeFebvre Associate Editorial Director, News UCLA California State University, Northridge Rob LeFebvre is the Associate Editorial Director, News for Lifewire. He has been a technology writer for more than 12 years with articles appearing in 148Apps, Cult of Mac, Engadget, and more. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 18, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share EmailIn This Article
Expand Jump to a Section tvOS 14 tvOS 13 tvOS 12 tvOS 11 tvOS 10 tvOS 9 A Brief Apple TV History tvOS is the operating system Apple uses to run its popular Apple TV hardware, just like iOS runs your iPhone and iPad, macOS runs your MacBook, and watchOS runs your Apple Watch.tvOS 14
Released: September 16, 2020 The tvOS 14 update brings a bunch of new features including sharing audio, picture-in-picture mode, new screensavers, and the ability to stream photos and videos from your iPhone to the Apple TV 4K. You can now connect two sets of AirPods or Beats products to an Apple TV and take in a movie or show with a friend. Plus, you get separate volume controls. Picture-in-picture lets you multitask, such as checking the weather while watching a movie or playing a video game while watching gaming videos. Gamers also get multiuser support and more compatible game controllers, including Xbox Adaptive Controllers. Finally, if you have smart home products you can get a notification when your doorbell rings and see who's there from your Apple TV.tvOS 13
Released: September 24, 2019 Final version: tvOS 13.4.8 Apple Inc Apple's tvOS 13 brings some cool new features for your Apple TV. There's a new home screen that includes full-screen video from apps, a new Control Center to show you the time, date, Now Playing and AirPlay controls, Multi-User support to help you carve out your own Apple TV space (with personal Apple Music capabilities, too), Apple Arcade, the company's premium subscription gaming service (with support for Xbox and PlayStation controllers), new wireless audio sync to help make that annoying lag between your TV and speakers easier to fix, new picture-in-picture support, and (naturally) new screensavers.tvOS 12
Apple Inc First version: September 17, 2018Final version: tvOS 12..4.1 In 2018, Apple released another big software update for Apple TV: tvOS 12. The new software initially added support for Dolby Atmos sound on Apple TV 4K with up to 7.1.4 surround sound channels. Apple also brought a new zero sign-on experience for TV apps that support it; no more signing in to various cable providers to use their app on the Apple TV. The OS also included password AutoFill as long as you had an iPhone or iPad running iOS 12, too, along with several new aerial screensavers. Finally, tvOS 12 brought more developer support for home control systems like Control4, Crestron, and Savant, as well as support for third-party remotes to include Siri. Now at version 12.3, tvOS has a redesigned TV app that includes Watch Now, Movies, TV Shows, Sports, Kids, Library, and Search sections to make navigating and finding what you want to watch that much easier. The first version of the app (first seen in 2016) only had Watch Now, Sports, Library, Store, and Search areas. It will eventually integrate with Apple’s anticipated streaming service, Apple TV+, set to launch in the Fall of 2019. Key New Features: Support for Dolby AtmosZero sign-in for cable appsAutoFill from iOS devicesSpace-based screensaversSupport for more third-party home control systems and Siri-enabled remotesRedesigned TV appTell Siri where to play your videos and musicFind a Mac or iOS device
tvOS 11
Apple Inc First version: September 19, 2017Final version: tvOS 11.4.1, July 9, 2018 The same 4th generation Apple TV received another software update in 2017, and though it wasn’t as hyped as the previous versions, several features were included for Apple’s television device. With tvOS 11, users were able to schedule dark mode based on the time of day, sync their Home Screen across multiple Apple TV devices (via iCloud), and set up their AirPods automatically like on iOS. The update also eventually included better support for live sports with the TV app (including Siri support), and the ability to get on-screen notifications for various games and teams. AirPlay 2 brought multi-room audio play to HomePod, while speakers connected to the Apple TV appeared in HomeKit. At the same time tvOS 11 came out, Apple also released a 4K Apple TV, which includes HDR support, too. This is also known as the 5th Generation Apple TV. Key New Features: Automatic Dark Mode schedulingHome Screen syncAutomatic AirPod pairingBetter Siri support for sports
tvOS 10
Apple Inc First version: June 13, 2016Final version: tvOS 10.2.2, July 19, 2017 The following year, Apple released the next version of its Apple TV OS, tvOS 10. It included a brand-new Remote app for iPhone and iPad, a single-sign-on system for easier access to apps and media content, HomeKit support, and a dark mode. All of these features were available for the 4th generation Apple TV via a software update. Key New Features: iOS Remote app supportSingle sign-on for cable providersHomeKit supportDark mode
tvOS 9
YouTube First version: September 9, 2015Final version: tvOS 9.2.2, July 18, 2016 Introduced in 2015 alongside the first version of iPad Pro and iPhone 6S, tvOS 9 brought new features to Apple TV’s 4th Generation device, including a built-in software development kit (SDK) for developers to create apps for the device and an Apple TV App Store to sell those apps to consumers. It also lets you search across apps with Siri, via the redesigned Siri Remote, which included a touchpad and a microphone. Key New Features: Built-in SDKtvOS App StoreSiri search across appsSupport for new Siri Remote