tvOS 26 introduces a sleek Liquid Glass interface and smarter profile switching, enhancing personalization and visual appeal.
Apple Music Sing transforms Apple TV into a fun karaoke hub, with iPhone mic support, live lyrics, and language translation.
New features like persistent AirPlay speaker selection, improved FaceTime, and India-focused screensavers make Apple TV more connected and culturally rich.
tvOS 26 brings more than just visual tweaks. It reimagines how people interact with their screens. From smarter controls to shared entertainment, this update transforms Apple TV into something more personal and more connected.
Whether someone is singing along, syncing screens across rooms, or navigating with ease, each upgrade feels thoughtful and tailored. Here’s a closer look at six features that turn the familiar into something fresh.
Menus now appear with a floating, translucent finish that reacts beautifully to motion. This Liquid Glass design creates a sense of depth and flow, with more content visible at once. It’s clean, responsive, and gives the interface a modern, cinematic vibe.
tvOS 26 now prompts for profile selection every time the Apple TV wakes from sleep. This small addition solves a common pain point in shared households, keeping recommendations and watch history separate and accurate for each viewer.
Apple Music on Apple TV now includes a karaoke feature that turns an iPhone into a microphone. Lyrics display in real-time, and the TV amplifies the vocals. Foreign language lyrics also come with translation and pronunciation support. It’s a perfect upgrade for parties and family nights.
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A new setting allows any AirPlay-compatible speaker to be set as the permanent default. Once assigned, Apple TV connects to that speaker automatically after waking up. No manual reconnection is required. This is great for consistent home theater or music setups.
FaceTime now includes incoming call alerts, redesigned contact posters, and live captions in multiple languages including English, German, Korean, and more. This makes video calls more accessible and easier to manage from the big screen.
The beautiful aerial screensavers get a fresh batch featuring landscapes from India, showcasing temples, mountains, rivers, and cities. These ambient visuals bring warmth and diversity to idle moments, adding a touch of regional character to the display.
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Liquid Glass: Requires Apple TV 4K (2nd gen or newer)
Karaoke Mode: Best on Apple TV 4K (3rd gen)
Most features supported on Apple TV models from 2015 onward
tvOS 26 doesn't just change the look of Apple TV; it improves how it fits into everyday habits. Whether it's choosing a profile, singing a favorite song, or seeing a bit of home on screen, each feature has purpose and polish. tvOS 26 rolls out this fall. Those interested can test it early through the public beta in July.