Apple Releases Software Update for Third-Generation Apple TV

apple_tv_roundupApple today released a new 7.2.1 software update for the third-generation Apple TV. It is not clear what is new in the update, as Apple has not provided release notes, but it includes several security improvements.

The update is available for all versions of the third-generation Apple TV. It can be installed through the software update mechanism in Settings, or delivered automatically for customers who have automatic updates turned on.

The third-generation Apple TV has been available since 2012 and continues to be sold alongside the fourth-generation Apple TV. The older device does not run tvOS and does not include features like Siri support and access to the App Store, but it offers content through dozens of channels like Netflix, Hulu Plus, and more.

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

Popular Stories

samsung crease less foldable display ces 2026%402x

Foldable iPhone's Crease-Free Display Tech Spotted at CES 2026

Tuesday January 6, 2026 3:04 am PST by
CES 2026 has just provided a first glimpse of the folding display technology that Apple is expected to use in its upcoming foldable iPhone. At the event, Samsung Display briefly showcased its new crease-less foldable OLED panel beside a Galaxy Z Fold 7, and according to SamMobile, which saw the test booth before it was abruptly removed, the new panel "has no crease at all" in comparison. The ...
Apple Card iPhone 16 Pro Feature

Apple Card Will Move From Goldman Sachs to JPMorgan Chase

Wednesday January 7, 2026 12:57 pm PST by
JPMorgan Chase has reached a deal to take over operation of the Apple Card, reports The Wall Street Journal. Barring any "last minute hiccups," the deal should be announced shortly after over a year of negotiations. Reports began circulating over two years ago that current Apple Card issuer Goldman Sachs was looking to end its partnership with Apple as part of an effort to scale back on...
Logitech MX Master 3S

Logitech Blames 'Inexcusable Mistake' After Certificate Expiry Breaks macOS Apps

Wednesday January 7, 2026 5:27 am PST by
Logitech users on macOS found themselves locked out of their mouse customizations yesterday after the company let a security certificate expire, breaking both its Logi Options+ and G HUB configuration apps. Logitech devices like its MX Master series mice and MX Keys keyboards stopped working properly as a result of the oversight, with users unable to access their custom scrolling setup,...
iOS 27 Mock Quick

Five New iPhone Features Rumored for iOS 27

Wednesday January 7, 2026 2:51 pm PST by
Though it's been just a few months since iOS 26 launched, we're already hearing rumors about the next-generation version of iOS, iOS 27. iOS 27 will be introduced at Apple's June WWDC 2026 event before it launches in September 2026. We don't know all of the details about iOS 27 yet, but we do have some information about what to expect. "Snow Leopard" Update iOS 27 will apparently focus...
ChatGPT Health Integration Connectors Feature

OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Health With Apple Health Integration

Wednesday January 7, 2026 11:27 am PST by
OpenAI today announced the launch of ChatGPT Health, a dedicated section of ChatGPT where users can ask health-related questions completely separated from their main ChatGPT experience. For more personalized responses, users can connect various health data services such as Apple Health, Function, MyFitnessPal, Weight Watchers, AllTrails, Instacart, and Peloton. Last month, MacRumors discovere...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

10 Reasons to Wait for This Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Thursday January 8, 2026 2:56 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
iphone 17 models

No iPhone 18 Launch This Year, Reports Suggest

Thursday January 1, 2026 8:43 am PST by
Apple is not expected to release a standard iPhone 18 model this year, according to a growing number of reports that suggest the company is planning a significant change to its long-standing annual iPhone launch cycle. Despite the immense success of the iPhone 17 in 2025, the iPhone 18 is not expected to arrive until the spring of 2027, leaving the iPhone 17 in the lineup as the latest...
AirPods Pro 3 Year of the Horse Feature

Apple Launches Year of the Horse AirPods Pro 3 for Lunar New Year

Monday January 5, 2026 11:28 am PST by
Apple has designed a limited edition version of the AirPods Pro 3 to celebrate Lunar New Year, and customers in select countries can purchase them starting today. The Year of the Horse Special Edition AirPods Pro 3 feature a unique horse emoji character that's otherwise unavailable. Customers in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore are able to buy the AirPods, and they'll be...

Top Rated Comments

BeyondtheTech Avatar
129 months ago
"For customers who continue to use the third-generation Apple TV..."

Almost sounds condescending, doesn't it?
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pdaholic Avatar
129 months ago
Let me guess...this update slows operation of the 3rd gen Apple TV to a crawl, forcing us to upgrade the hardware?
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
applegigs Avatar
129 months ago
You'd be surprised how many people still use AppleTV 3 ... After that 4-th disappointment
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarpalMac Avatar
129 months ago
"For customers who continue to use the third-generation Apple TV..."

Almost sounds condescending, doesn't it?
It's the text form of:

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
129 months ago
"For customers who continue to use the third-generation Apple TV..."

Almost sounds condescending, doesn't it?
Sounds better than "for customers who still haven't upgraded to the fourth generation Apple TV..."
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gotluck Avatar
129 months ago
yep i bought a 3rd gen (my first apple tv) after seeing the 4th gen release
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)