Michał Stekla
The Apple TV operating system will gain a new shine in 2025. tvOS 26, the new operating system for the Apple TV 4K set-top box, brings long-awaited features: a new design, user profiles, karaoke mode, and more. It's not a revolution, but a solid evolution – especially in terms of convenience.
New look, or "Liquid Glass" in the lounge
Apple has announced the tvOS 26 update for Apple TV 4K devices, which is set to bring the most significant visual changes in years. The new interface, based on the "Liquid Glass" philosophy, focuses on fluidity, transparency, and animations that aim to make using the device even more enjoyable. The changed appearance is not just cosmetic – Apple emphasizes that tvOS 26 will introduce a consistent visual language known from the latest versions of iOS and macOS.
New user profiles!
One of the most important new features is the introduction of user profiles. From now on, each household member will be able to have their own account with personalized recommendations, watchlists, and playlists in Apple TV and Apple Music. This is a feature known from Netflix, Disney+ or Prime Video, which has been lacking on Apple TV. For families or housemates, it's a big step forward – no more clutter in recommendations!
Better content browsing and additions.
Apple has also improved the way of browsing movies and series in the Apple TV app. The way graphics are presented has been changed; they will now be larger and more reminiscent of movie posters. This is intended to help users find interesting content more quickly and encourage exploration of the library.
tvOS 26 will also introduce a karaoke mode in the Apple Music app, with an interesting option to use the iPhone as a microphone if we don't have dedicated equipment. Additionally, Apple will enhance the FaceTime app on Apple TV and add several new screen backgrounds for those who enjoy personalisation.
AirPlay more convenient
Lastly, something for fans of good sound. Apple will allow you to select the default AirPlay speaker. Until now, if we didn't have a HomePod, we had to manually select the device each time we turned on the Apple TV. Now you just need to set up, for example, a soundbar or another AirPlay speaker once – and it’s done.
The premiere of tvOS 26 is planned for the second half of 2025. A specific date has not been announced yet, but the new features are looking really interesting.
