Apple today seeded the fifth beta of a new tvOS 12 operating system to developers for testing purposes, two weeks after releasing the fourth beta and more than a month after introducing the new software at the 2018 Worldwide Developers Conference.

Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV, the tvOS 12 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV using a profile that's installed through the Xcode software. Subsequent betas can be downloaded via the software update mechanism on the Apple TV.

apple tv tvos 12
tvOS 12 introduces support for Dolby Atmos sound, which was activated in the second beta. Apple says that iTunes will be home to the largest collection of Dolby Atmos-supported movies anywhere this fall. Customers that have previously purchased movies that gain Dolby Atmos support will see free upgrades to their titles, much like the rollout of 4K support.

Building on single sign-on, a new zero sign-on feature will further simplify the cable authentication process. With zero sign-on, the Apple TV can detect a user's broadband network and automatically sign them into supported apps they receive through their accompanying cable subscription.

Zero sign-on will be available for Charter Communications customers this fall and will expand to additional cable providers in the future.

Aerial screensavers now include location information and there are new screensavers captured in collaboration with the International Space Station.

tvos12aerialscreensaver
Other improvements tvOS-related improvements include AutoFill passwords from iPhone, an Apple TV Remote automatically added to Control Center on the iPhone or iPad, and Apple TV support on Home control systems like Control4, Crestron, and Savant.

tvOS 12 is available for developers and public beta testers to work out bugs and other issues ahead of a fall public launch.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Caution)

Top Rated Comments

DMod Avatar
74 months ago
Getting image and sound dropouts regularly. No matter what HDMI cable I use and what input I use on my TV. (Yes, I have the expensive 4K belkin cable that's recommended).

Anyone else?
Yes I’ve been experiencing it regularly on the betas. Sound dropouts for a few seconds and weird checkerboard patterns randomly popping up.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
siriuset Avatar
74 months ago
Same on the checkerboard patterns.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spazzcat Avatar
74 months ago
Anyone that was having the 20-minute audio dropout are you still having the issue with this beta?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
liberte1776 Avatar
74 months ago
Still not seeing the space aerials, hoping they're added now!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ErikGrim Avatar
74 months ago
Getting image and sound dropouts regularly. No matter what HDMI cable I use and what input I use on my TV. (Yes, I have the expensive 4K belkin cable that's recommended).

Anyone else?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Danilo - Italy Avatar
74 months ago
With this last beta the bug is gone!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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