Apple on Monday announced tvOS 26, its next-generation operating system for Apple TV, though only newer models of the company’s set-top box will get its features.
The new tvOS 26 brings a redesigned user interface based on Apple’s “Liquid Glass” design philosophy. The tvOS redesign uses real-time rendering to create a seemingly translucent material that reacts to its surroundings.
The update runs on everything the previous version of tvOS ran on. It will run on the Apple TV HD hardware, and any generation of the Apple TV 4K.
However, only users with a second-generation Apple TV 4K or later will be able to get the newly redesigned app. The model in question was first released in 2021.
Although Apple didn’t specify why older models are precluded from the update, it appears that the enhanced processing power required by Liquid Glass restricts its usage on older models.
Along with Liquid Glass, tvOS 26 also brings improved profile switching, enhancements to FaceTime and Contact Posters, and an enhanced Apple Music Sing experience with iPhone microphone support.
The beta version of tvOS 26 is available for developers starting on June 9.
AppleInsider, and Apple itself, strongly recommends against users installing the betas on primary devices or hardware they deem as “mission-critical,” as there is high possibility of software incompatibility, and more remote possibility of data loss or other issues. Testers should instead install betas onto secondary or non-essential devices as a safer alternative, and to always make sure there are sufficient backups of important data before updating.
