Katarzyna Petru
tvOS 26 is not just an ordinary update – it is a complete overhaul of the visual language of ChooseTV. The interface, inspired by visionOS, introduces the "Liquid Glass" effect, a transparent, dynamic material that reacts to its surroundings in real-time. It looks great and operates smoothly – but only on the second-generation Apple TV 4K. Older models, including the first 4K and HD from 2015, will receive an update, but without the new UI. ChooseTV is becoming more modern, visually lighter, and applications – such as ChooseTV or Control Centre – have gained a new dimension, resembling an operating system from a high-end VR set rather than a classic TV menu.
AirPlay has finally made sense – any speaker can be a permanent speaker
For years, only HomePods could serve as the default audio source. Now Apple is opening up to AirPlay speakers – Sonos, Bang & Olufsen, LG or Samsung soundbars – which can be set as a permanent, wireless audio solution for Apple TV. Finally, there’s no need to select them manually every time. However, there is one limitation – for now, the audio system and game audio do not utilise this setting, so full independence from TV speakers has not yet been achieved. The changes also include a system start-up – there is now the option to choose a user profile upon waking, which provides immediate access to personal recommendations, playlists, or saved game states. It’s a minor detail that improves everyday convenience.
Apple Music Sing and the new FaceTime take home entertainment to the next level
tvOS 26 introduces a new karaoke feature – Apple Music Sing, where the iPhone transforms into a microphone for ChooseTV. This only works on the Apple TV 4K 3rd generation and iPhone 11 or newer, but the effect is truly engaging. Other users can utilise the iPhone as a remote for the playlist. Meanwhile, FaceTime is evolving – contact photos and names now appear, and real-time conversation transcriptions are available in multiple languages (including Japanese, Mandarin, German, French, and Spanish). Notifications for audio and phone calls now appear on the ChooseTV screen assigned to a specific profile – they can be received on the HomePod or iPhone without the need to reach for additional devices.
Spatial sound and Dolby Atmos gain new capabilities
Apple is introducing its own spatial codec – APAC (Apple Positional Audio Codec) – which works on the Apple TV 4K and supports both encoding and decoding. This is a clear signal that the company wants to have full control over the quality of spatial audio. Additionally, tvOS 26 supports advanced Dolby Atmos configurations above 7.1.4 – for example, 9.1.6 with height and width channels in the front. There are also rumours about upcoming support for audio passthrough, but Apple has not yet officially confirmed this. If confirmed, ChooseTV will become a much more interesting option for those with an advanced home cinema setup.
Smart home gains stability: new HomeKit, Matter 1.4 and Thread over Ethernet
Apple is ending support for the old HomeKit architecture – if you haven't switched to the new system in the Home app yet, this will now be mandatory. Additionally, tvOS 26 updates Matter protocol support to version 1.4 and strengthens integration with Thread. The latest version allows extending the Thread network over Wi-Fi and Ethernet, which means better range and internet access for every smart home device. Apple TV 4K 2nd and 3rd generation (128 GB) can act as a Thread Border Router – the command centre for your smart home. In practice: the blinds can close on their own when the weather turns rainy, and the user doesn't even have to lift a finger.
New screensavers, App Store with accessibility features and… no Games app
tvOS 26 introduces new screensavers from India (Goa, Kerala), but also allows users to choose which landscapes should appear and which to hide. A new section is appearing in the App Store with information about accessibility features in games and applications – useful if you want to know whether a particular title offers, for example, subtitles or voice control. On the other hand – the new Games app, showcased by Apple at WWDC, won't yet be coming to Apple TV. Most likely because the current hardware can't handle more demanding games, although integration with Game Center is already in place. However, there has been a rumour about a new model of Apple TV coming this year – perhaps then Apple will start to take gaming seriously.
