Apple TV Software Updated to Version 5.2.1 with Bug Fixes, Hulu Redesign

Alongside today's update to iOS 6.1.3, Apple also updated the Apple TV to version 5.2.1. The 5.2.1 software contains a number of bug fixes and has also brought a redesigned Hulu app to the device.

The security fixes, which can all be credited to the evad3rs, prevent users from executing unsigned code, determining the address of structures in the kernel, and executing arbitrary code in the kernel.

As for Hulu, the app has been entirely redesigned with improved discovery tools and some simple UI enhancements.

hulu

Right away, you'll notice we've added content categories across the top navigation bar to make it easy to for you to jump to your chosen section – whether it is TV, Kids, Latino, Search, or something else. Inside each category, you'll discover what's new in our content library so it's easy to discover new shows and keep up with the shows you already love. You can also jump into your favorite shows right away with the “Shows You Watch” tray. We built this to make sure you never miss a new episode or lose your place in a series.

Users are now able to hold down the "Select" button to access the Subtitles and Audio menu for captioning, and pressing play on a TV show will play the latest episode. This new functionality is reliant on the Apple TV 5.1.2 update.

The latest Apple TV update is currently available for eligible devices and can be downloaded immediately on Apple TV.

Update 1:11 PM: Apple has updated its Apple TV software updates support page with mention of several other changes included in the 5.2.1 software.

- iTunes in the Cloud: Adds support for Music in the Cloud in Japan and Israel.
- Stability and performance: Includes improvements for software update, subtitles, and general performance.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

apple music chatgpt

ChatGPT's Apple Music Integration Is Now Live

Wednesday December 17, 2025 3:50 pm PST by
There's now a dedicated Apple Music app for ChatGPT, which allows ChatGPT to make music recommendations and build playlists. Apple Music can be added to ChatGPT through the Settings section in the Mac app, website, or iOS app. Apple Music is listed under the apps option, and connecting to it requires signing in with your Apple Account for authorization purposes. ChatGPT can be used to...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Features Leaked in New Report, Including Under-Screen Face ID

Tuesday December 16, 2025 8:44 am PST by
Next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be equipped with under-screen Face ID, and the front camera will be moved to the top-left corner of the screen, according to a new report from The Information's Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu. As a result of these changes, the report said the iPhone 18 Pro models will not have a pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout at the top of the screen....
top stories 2025 12 20

Top Stories: iOS 26.3 Beta, Major Apple Leaks, and More

Saturday December 20, 2025 6:00 am PST by
You'd think things would be slowing down heading into the holidays, but this week saw a whirlwind of Apple leaks and rumors while Apple started its next cycle of betas following last week's release of iOS 26.2 and related updates. This week also saw the release of a new Apple Music integration with ChatGPT, so read on below for all the details on this week's biggest stories! Top Stories i...
airpods pro 3 new blue

AirPods Pro 3's Static and Noise Issues Haven't Been Resolved

Thursday December 18, 2025 3:44 pm PST by
Since the AirPods Pro 3 launched, there have been complaints from users who have noticed a static-like sound or a crackling issue when using the earbuds, particularly when Active Noise Cancellation is on but no media is playing. Users have also run into strange high-pitched whistling sounds that happen intermittently. We shared the issues back in late October, and despite two subsequent...
apple beta 26 lineup

Apple's 2026 and 2027 Product Roadmap: Foldable iPhone, iPhone 18 Pro, M5 Macs, and More

Tuesday December 16, 2025 4:42 pm PST by
There has been a whirlwind of rumors over the last few days, sourced from leaked internal software designed for the iPhone and the Mac, and news sites like The Information. Below, we have a quick recap of everything we've heard this week, which serves as a guide to Apple's product plans in 2026 and beyond. We've organized the info by likely release date, though there are some products that...
iOS 26 Maps Glass

Apple Quietly Discontinued Flyover City Tours in Apple Maps

Thursday December 18, 2025 1:31 pm PST by
Apple Maps no longer offers a Flyover feature that provides users with automated tours of notable landmarks in major cities. The Flyover option appears to have been nixed around when iOS 26 launched, but its removal went largely unnoticed. Flyover city tours were introduced in 2014 with iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite, using Flyover imagery to generate an aerial tour. Most cities with Flyover...
ios 18 security update

Don't Want to Upgrade to iOS 26? Here's How to Stay on iOS 18 [Update: Now Unavailable]

Friday December 19, 2025 10:37 am PST by
Since the beginning of December, Apple has been pushing iPhone users who opted to stay on iOS 18 to install iOS 26 instead. Apple started by making the iOS 18 upgrades less visible, and has now transitioned to making new iOS 18 updates unavailable on any device capable of running iOS 26. If you have an iPhone 11 or later, Apple is no longer offering new versions of iOS 18, even though there...

Top Rated Comments

0029937 Avatar
167 months ago
This is the one piece of Apple hardware that I wish I didn't spend $ on... it's actually been quite useless. The worst $99 I ever spent.
I feel the exact opposite. The more I use it the more things I find I like about it. It obviously has huge potential and still has a lot of work. But it's only $100. Just seamlessly airplaying mine and my girlfriends music to our nice tower speakers has made it worth it.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
167 months ago
Apple TV OS badly needs "Spotlight" like search across contents from all the channels as well as purchased contents.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tarasis Avatar
167 months ago
This is the one piece of Apple hardware that I wish I didn't spend $ on... it's actually been quite useless. The worst $99 I ever spent.

Completely opposite here, Iove being able to punt stuff across via AirPlay & renting directly from the store.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DotCom2 Avatar
167 months ago
Amazon Prime PLZ!
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bbeagle Avatar
167 months ago
I find it hard to believe anyone would not love this device.
I think that the people who love the Apple TV are the cord-cutters who pay $0 a month on TV, and the people who think it's a waste of $99 are the people paying $150 a month for television.

Of course, if your cable/satellite tv gives you everything you need, you don't need this extra device. But it's not meant for those people.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jlanuez Avatar
167 months ago
Best home theatre component

We use our AppleTV daily (had the first versions with hard drives, now the new ones). We use it for NetFlix, to rent movies from Apple, and listen to all of our music (from iCloud) in our home theatre.

We have ZERO cable bill as we no longer subscribe to any CableTV (it's bene four years now, $2,400 saved to-date and all those headaches avoided from the Main-Stream-News outlets and all the wasted time on commercials = priceless!

I find it hard to believe anyone would not love this device. My guess is that Apple has not made it "all it could be" as they are working on an AppleTV and did'nt want this cheap "hobby" device to eclipse a bigger profit device coming soon. Maybe this AppleTV set-top device was a way to really test the market for a future AppleTelevision.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)