Apple Bumps Developer Test Device Limits to 100 Per Device Type, Including Apple TV

apple_tv_roundupThrough Apple's developer program, users have long been able to register the Unique Device Identifiers (UDIDs) for up to 100 individual devices to qualify them for testing Apple beta software and their own apps. Some users saw that limit raised to 200 several years ago, but the higher limit was never officially implemented by Apple.

With yesterday's move to merge Apple's developer programs, the company has also rolled out new limits for registered devices, as noted by a number of MacRumors readers. The total limit is now 500 devices, but it is broken down by device type with up to 100 slots each for iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, and Apple TV devices now available.

A number of readers have highlighted the inclusion of Apple TV as a supported device, believing it points to third-party app development for the set-top box as had been rumored for launch at WWDC but was reportedly pushed back just weeks ago. The Apple TV has actually been a supported device for UDID registration for quite some time, and Apple has regularly offered developers betas of upcoming Apple TV software for testing.

apple_tv_udid_limits


Even so, the limit of 100 Apple TVs per account seems generous for simply testing Apple's beta software, so the question is whether the Apple TV was given the same limits as other device types for simplicity's sake or if the company is setting the stage for broader third-party app development for the platform later this year.

As was the case previously, once a device is registered it counts toward the user's limit for the remainder of the developer subscription year, preventing users from rapidly deleting and adding devices to game the system.

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

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Wednesday January 15, 2025 7:16 am PST by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the "ultra-thin" device. Overall, the "iPhone 17 Air" is shaping up to be a mixed bag. Due to its thinness, the device is expected to have some limited specifications compared to the iPhone 17 Pro models, including only a single rear camera, only a single speaker, no SIM...
2024 iPhone Boxes Feature

Apple Changes Trade-In Values for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and More

Thursday January 16, 2025 6:45 am PST by
Apple today adjusted estimated trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models in the U.S., according to its website. Some values increased, while others decreased. The changes were not too significant, with most values rising or dropping by $5 to $50. We have outlined some examples below: Device New Value Old Value iPhone 15 Pro Max Up to $630 U ...
new magsafe charger

Apple Releases Updated MagSafe Charger Firmware

Tuesday January 14, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the 25W MagSafe Charger that is compatible with the iPhone 12 and later and the latest AirPods and Apple Watch models. The updated firmware is version 2A143, up from the 2A138 firmware that the accessory shipped with. In the Settings app, you'll see a different version number than the internal firmware number. The 2024 MagSafe charger was...
Generic iOS 18

iOS 18.3 Coming Soon: Here's What's New

Monday January 13, 2025 5:33 am PST by
iOS 18.3 is currently in beta for developers and public beta testers. So far, the upcoming iPhone software update is very minor in scope. Below, we outline what is new in iOS 18.3 so far. The only potential new feature coming to iPhones with iOS 18.3 so far is robot vacuum support in the Home app, but this functionality is not yet live. Apple is laying the groundwork for the feature,...
iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 8 New Features

Thursday January 9, 2025 5:45 am PST by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. iPhone 17 Pro concept based on rumors Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of January 2025: More aluminum: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models ...
Generic iOS 18

Everything New in iOS 18.3 Beta 3

Thursday January 16, 2025 12:39 pm PST by
Apple provided the third beta of iOS 18.3 to developers today, and while the betas have so far been light on new features, the third beta makes some major changes to Notification Summaries and also tweaks a few other features. Notification Summary Changes Apple made multiple changes to Notification Summaries in response to complaints about inaccurate summaries of news headlines. For...
severance new york promo 1

Apple Promotes Severance Season 2 Premiere With Lumon Industries Pop-Up and Visits From Actors

Tuesday January 14, 2025 3:47 pm PST by
Ahead of the season two premiere of hit TV show Severance, Apple is marketing the show with a fun Severance pop-up at the Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Apple has assembled a glass cube with workstations that are identical to the setups that Lumon employees use on the show, complete with employees "working," doing yoga, playing catch, throwing paper airplanes, sipping coffee, and...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3 Expected This Year: Here's What We Know

Wednesday January 8, 2025 7:05 am PST by
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch sometime in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for. Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as...
Apple Card iPhone 16 Pro Feature

Three Companies Are Now in the Running to Take Over the Apple Card

Thursday January 16, 2025 8:18 am PST by
Apple is in talks with Barclays and Synchrony about becoming its new financial partner for the Apple Card, according to Reuters sources. The report today added that Apple has also been holding discussions with Chase Bank owner JPMorgan since last year, so there are at least three potential companies in the running to take over the Apple Card from current partner Goldman Sachs. Goldman...

Top Rated Comments

arkmannj Avatar
125 months ago
So maybe Apple didn't want to announce a new Apple TV (or its successor) at WWDC because they wanted an event all to itself? I'm cool with that. I'm anxiously awaiting (as many people are) to see what Apple has up their sleeves.


There's a part of me that thinks Apple should buy Nintendo, then merge the AppleTV & Nintendo Console. Apple would then have a great media device with some awesome exclusive Intellectual Property. Nintendo would then also benefit from access to Apple tech that could be integrated into the console.

Yes I know it won't happen, just one of those crazy thoughts that floats about in my head.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProVideo Avatar
125 months ago
I told friends and family to hold off on buying an AppleTV because of the widely expected refresh at WWDC. I can somewhat understand them pushing it back if they couldn't reveal what they wanted to, but it was a pretty big blunder to clearly highlight the AppleTV on the WWDC posters and invitations with "The epicenter of change" tag. Steve would have blown a fuse over that. "Real artists ship".

The fact that the AppleTV is as far along as it is and still doesn't have developer support is ridiculous when the AppleWatch got it almost out of the gate.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dumastudetto Avatar
125 months ago
I'm sure Apple has huge plans for Apple TV. I don't think we'll have to wait too much longer to learn what those plans are.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
125 months ago
So maybe Apple didn't want to announce a new Apple TV (or its successor) at WWDC because they wanted an event all to itself? I'm cool with that. I'm anxiously awaiting (as many people are) to see what Apple has up their sleeves.


There's a part of me that thinks Apple should buy Nintendo, then merge the AppleTV & Nintendo Console. Apple would then have a great media device with some awesome exclusive Intellectual Property. Nintendo would then also benefit from access to Apple tech that could be integrated into the console.

Yes I know it won't happen, just one of those crazy thoughts that floats about in my head.
I don't think it will get an event all to itself but it will probably be the +1 unveiling at the iPhone event, much like the Watch was last year. I don't expect they'll announce Apple Watch 2 for at least another year. I also don't think something like that would show up at the iPad event if they are going to also unveil the iPad Pro, but that would be my second choice for unveiling.

The unfortunate thing about not unveiling it yesterday was that developers won't be able to work on making apps for it yet, so we'll still have to wait a while for those.

As for Nintendo, I think that would be a good pairing for Apple because Nintendo is family friendly and their games don't usually utilize high-end graphics which is perfect for mobile platforms. They're also innovative when it comes to unique motion controls and using touch displays. Nintendo also needs a foothold when it comes to media and related content in the living room. However Apple could shoot itself in the foot by alienating some third party developers on iOS and some of those are the same developers who have been leaving Nintendo for platforms such as Xbox and Playstation. Having an Apple game console would be pretty neat though. Do Japanese companies usually sell to foreign companies? Is that looked down upon in their culture? Might also be some regulations to clear. It's a neat thought but I doubt it will ever happen.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
akm3 Avatar
125 months ago
If the AppleTV was really going to finally allow app development then not showcasing at WWDC would be dumb. It seems like they reallllly stretched out the Beats announcement because they had to cancel 'something' at the last minute.

I just hope we won't have to wait until next WWDC for it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tankmaze Avatar
125 months ago
Hey, good observation. Why would we need to test 100 Apple TV devices unless we can develop apps for it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)