TvOS

tvOS is an operating system made by Apple for the Apple TV, a digital media player. It was first called Apple TV Software and was used on the first Apple TV, which was based on Mac OS X. Later versions of Apple TV use an operating system based on iOS and share many of the same features and ideas.

The second- and third-generation Apple TVs came with some built-in apps but could not run apps made by other companies. On September 9, 2015, Apple announced the fourth-generation Apple TV and changed the name of the operating system to tvOS. This matched the naming style Apple used for iOS, watchOS, and later macOS, using camel case nomenclature.

The most recent version, tvOS 26, was released on September 15, 2025. This update brought new features and improvements to the Apple TV experience.

History

On October 30, 2015, the fourth-generation Apple TV started using tvOS 9.0. A small update, tvOS 9.0.1, came out on November 9, 2015, to fix a few small problems.

Later updates added new features. For example, tvOS 10, released in September 2016, made searching easier and added a dark mode. Over the years, tvOS kept growing. It added better sound, new ways to control the Apple TV, and even let people play games using controllers from Nintendo Switch. Each new version of tvOS was released with updates for iOS and iPadOS, so all Apple devices stayed up to date.

Features

tvOS 9 brought fun updates for the fourth-generation Apple TV. Users could now move around the screen using multi-touch gestures on the new touchpad remote, thanks to multi-touch gestures. A new App Store let people download apps and games made just for Apple TV. tvOS 9 also introduced Siri, which could help find movies and control what’s playing.

The system made it easier to switch between apps and offered more ways to personalize the experience. Beautiful screensavers added a nice touch, and the Siri Remote could control the TV with support for HDMI-CEC. Users had many options to control their Apple TV, like using the Siri Remote, connecting a third-party universal remote, pairing an MFi Gamepad for games, using the Remote app on iOS, or connecting a Bluetooth keyboard for easier typing.

Accessibility

tvOS has many helpful features for users, just like those in iOS and macOS. These include VoiceOver, Zoom, and Siri. They are useful for people who are blind or have low vision. VoiceOver reads what is on the screen and helps users navigate with simple gestures.

The system also makes the screen easier to see, like by increasing contrast and simplifying movements. It supports audio descriptions for movies, shown with an AD icon, and closed captioning for videos, marked with CC or SDH icons. Users can connect Bluetooth keyboards, and the Siri Remote can be adjusted for touch sensitivity or used with just buttons. The Apple Remote app on iOS devices can control Apple TV, including support for Switch Control for users with motor impairments.

Development

tvOS 9 brought new tools for developers to make apps for TV. It had a new place for users to find and download apps, called the tvOS App Store. Developers could create their own app designs, instead of just using Apple's style. Since tvOS is connected to iOS, it's simpler to change iOS apps for Apple TV using Xcode, a free tool from Apple. Developers had to make special images for app icons using tools Apple gave them.

Version history

Apple TV has had many software updates. The first version, Apple TV Software 1.0, looked like a program called Front Row. It had seven options for movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, photos, settings, and sources. It was based on Mac OS X.

Later versions changed how content looked. For example, version 2.0 removed Front Row and showed content in six categories like movies, TV shows, music, YouTube, podcasts, and photos. It also let you update without a computer.

More updates came later. Version 3.0 added new features like content filtering and an Internet radio app. Version 4, based on iOS, stopped supporting the first Apple TV model and added features like AirPlay mirroring and Netflix subtitles.

Later updates like tvOS 9 added support for apps and an App Store. This made it easier to find and watch different types of content. Each update brought new ways to enjoy movies, shows, and other content on the Apple TV.

Supported tvOS versions on Apple TV

Model	Apple TV Software							tvOS
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	26
Apple TV (1st)
Apple TV (2nd)	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Apple TV (3rd)	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Apple TV HD	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Apple TV 4K (1st)	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Apple TV 4K (2nd)	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	14.5
Apple TV 4K (3rd)	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	16.1