tvOS 26 Public Beta Now Available: New Features for Apple TV
Apple has released the tvOS 26 public beta, introducing a range of new features for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD. The update will be available as a free software release later this year, but users can test the beta version now.
What’s New in tvOS 26?
1. Refreshed Visual Design with Liquid Glass Effects
Apple has unified its operating systems with a sleek Liquid Glass aesthetic, creating a dynamic, light-refracting effect reminiscent of real glass. While subtle, these visual enhancements are most pronounced on the second-generation Apple TV 4K (2021) and newer models. Key improvements include:
Control Center with translucent glass controls
Media player buttons that showcase underlying content
A shimmering Home Screen dock, particularly striking on OLED TVs
2. Redesigned TV App with Portrait Artwork
The TV app now displays portrait-style posters for movies and shows, replacing the traditional landscape format. This shift not only enhances the cinematic feel but also increases browsing efficiency, allowing more titles per row. Additional upgrades include:
Integrated "Continue Watching" cards with playback progress overlays
Refined Top 10 labels for a more polished look
3. Enhanced Apple Music Sing with iPhone Microphone Support
The karaoke experience in Apple Music has been expanded:
Use iPhones as wireless microphones—sing into your phone, and your voice plays through the TV.
Real-time emoji reactions, queue management, and voice modulation effects from the iPhone.
Improved lyrics with translations and pronunciation guides for foreign-language songs.
4. Streamlined Profile Switching
Switching between user profiles is now more intuitive:
A new "Who’s Watching?" prompt appears when the Apple TV wakes from sleep (enabled in Settings > Users and Accounts).
Unfortunately, most third-party apps still don’t support profile switching, limiting its usefulness.
5. Expanded AirPlay 2 Speaker Support
Users can now set any AirPlay 2-compatible speaker as the default audio output, eliminating the need to manually reconnect each time. This is especially useful for those without HomePods.
6. New Aerial Screensavers & FaceTime Upgrades
Stunning new aerial views featuring landscapes from India, with customizable selections.
FaceTime improvements, including contact posters for incoming calls and Live Captions in additional languages.
Phone and FaceTime call notifications now appear on the TV, allowing quick responses via HomePods or iPhone.
How to Install the tvOS 26 Public Beta
To try the beta before the official release:
Go to Settings > System > Software Updates > Get Beta Updates.
Select tvOS 26 Public Beta and install.
The full release is expected this fall, bringing these enhancements to all compatible Apple TV models.