Michał Stekla
The Apple TV operating system will gain new shine as early as 2025. tvOS 26, the new operating system for the Apple TV 4K device, brings long-awaited innovations: a new look, 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 Living Room
Apple has announced the tvOS 26 update for Apple TV 4K devices, which will bring the biggest visual changes in years. The new interface based on the "Liquid Glass" philosophy emphasizes fluidity, transparency, and animations, which are meant 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 personal recommendations, watchlists, and playlists in Apple TV and Apple Music. This is a feature known from Netflix, Disney+, or Prime Video, which was missing on Apple TV. For families or roommates, this is a big step forward – no more chaos in recommendations!
Better content browsing and add-ons.
Apple has also improved the way movies and series are browsed in the Apple TV app. The presentation of visuals has 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 them to explore 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 you 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 customization.
AirPlay more convenient
Finally, something for fans of good sound. Apple will allow you to choose the default AirPlay speaker. Until now, if we didn't have a HomePod, we had to manually select the device every time we turned on Apple TV. Now, you just need to set up a soundbar or another AirPlay speaker once – and you're done.
The premiere of tvOS 26 is scheduled for the second half of 2025. A specific date has not been announced yet, but the new features look really interesting.
