App Store on iOS Begins Identifying Apps With Universal Support for Apple TV

Apple appears to be rolling out a new feature in its App Store on iOS to note when an app available on iOS is universally compatible with the fourth generation Apple TV. As pointed out by iFun.de [Google Translate], the new feature is still in the early phases, as universal compatibility with the Apple TV is currently marked as "SF.UniversalAppleTV" rather than a simple "Apple TV" title as is used for Apple Watch just above. The new identifier is also not yet showing in the App Store when viewed through iTunes on the desktop.

pandora universal app
With the growing popularity of the App Store on Apple TV, it makes sense for Apple to want to begin connecting the iOS and tvOS experience as they did when introducing universal iPhone and iPad apps in 2010 and with the addition of the Apple Watch earlier this year. Following its launch in October, Apple began running a new advertising campaign for the Apple TV, which it continues to expand with television shows like Game of Thrones and Veep.

Apple allows developers to build universal apps that support iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV all from one purchase, so it makes sense to provide users with information on what platforms are included when they prepare to download a new app.

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

Top Rated Comments

machpost Avatar
109 months ago
Now if only there were a way to search for, review and/or buy Apple TV apps in iTunes.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lsatterfield Avatar
109 months ago
So apps are going to get bigger? (MB size).
They'll probably still have that app slimming feature they released an update or so ago. The app will only download what it needs for that device, as it needs it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T5BRICK Avatar
109 months ago
So apps are going to get bigger? (MB size).
Not if developers use "App thinning" correctly.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
109 months ago
Apple is not really thinking here... And making users do needless work checking. The tag in the App Store is helpful but lousy once one buys the app. It is but one way to inform users but is not the best way...

I've written to Apple suggesting that they use the iPhone apps to advertise companion apps to those on the iPhone.

By companion I mean apps available for the iPad, Watch and the TV.

Apple should superimpose a small representative symbol on each corner of the iPhone apps:
- upper right, small square with a plus in it for iPad;
- lower right, small circle, iPhone;
- lower left, small rectangle, TV;
- upper left, reserve, or a small wallet symbol indicating Pay support.

In this way, I can see what is available when I use the app, rather than having to repeatedly check availability status in the App Store.

Additionally, there could just be a "notify when companion apps become available" toggle in the App Store configuration section of the settings app.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 18 Siri Integrated Feature

iOS 18 Rumored to Add These 10 New Features to Your iPhone

Wednesday April 24, 2024 2:05 pm PDT by
Apple is set to unveil iOS 18 during its WWDC keynote on June 10, so the software update is a little over six weeks away from being announced. Below, we recap rumored features and changes planned for the iPhone with iOS 18. iOS 18 will reportedly be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history, with new ChatGPT-inspired generative AI features, a more customizable Home Screen, and much more....
apple id account

Apple ID Accounts Logging Out Users and Requiring Password Reset

Saturday April 27, 2024 12:41 am PDT by
There are widespread reports of Apple users being locked out of their Apple ID overnight for no apparent reason, requiring a password reset before they can log in again. Users say the sudden inexplicable Apple ID sign-out is occurring across multiple devices. When they attempt to sign in again they are locked out of their account and asked to reset their password in order to regain access. ...
macos sonoma feature purple green

Apple's Regular Mac Base RAM Boosts Ended When Tim Cook Took Over

Friday April 26, 2024 6:34 am PDT by
Apple used to regularly increase the base memory of its Macs up until 2011, the same year Tim Cook was appointed CEO, charts posted on Mastodon by David Schaub show. Earlier this year, Schaub generated two charts: One showing the base memory capacities of Apple's all-in-one Macs from 1984 onwards, and a second depicting Apple's consumer laptop base RAM from 1999 onwards. Both charts were...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple's iPad Event Finally Announced!

Friday April 26, 2024 8:31 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the announcement of Apple's upcoming "Let loose" event, where the company is widely expected to announce new iPad models and accessories. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's event invite shows an artistic render of an Apple Pencil, suggesting that iPads will be a focus of the event. Apple CEO Tim...
ipad pro 2022

Apple Event Rumors: iPad Pro With M4 Chip and New Apple Pencil With Haptic Feedback

Sunday April 28, 2024 6:19 am PDT by
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlined some of the new products he expects Apple to announce at its "Let Loose" event on May 7. First, Gurman now believes there is a "strong possibility" that the upcoming iPad Pro models will be equipped with Apple's next-generation M4 chip, rather than the M3 chip that debuted in the MacBook Pro and iMac six months ago. He said a ...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces 'Let Loose' Event on May 7 Amid Rumors of New iPads

Tuesday April 23, 2024 7:11 am PDT by
Apple has announced it will be holding a special event on Tuesday, May 7 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time (10 a.m. Eastern Time), with a live stream to be available on Apple.com and on YouTube as usual. The event invitation has a tagline of "Let Loose" and shows an artistic render of an Apple Pencil, suggesting that iPads will be a focus of the event. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...