Apple Releases tvOS 11 With Home Screen Syncing, Auto Dark Mode, and 4K Support for New Apple TV

Apple today released tvOS 11, the latest operating system designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models. tvOS 11 is something of a minor update, but does bring some notable feature improvements to the tvOS operating system.

tvOS 11 can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the Apple TV by going to System -> Software Update. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates turned on will be upgraded to tvOS 11 automatically.

tvos 11
The tvOS 11 update introduces full support for AirPods, AirPlay 2 support, automatic switching between light and dark mode based on local time, Home screen syncing options designed to keep multiple Apple TVs in a single household in sync, and new background modes and notification support.

On the more technical side, the update includes Focus API improvements, custom sound support, network-based pairing and development support, improvements to Mobile Device Management, and more.

For the fifth-generation Apple TV, aka the Apple TV 4K, the tvOS 11 update introduces support for 4K content. Apple's new 4K Apple TV will ship with tvOS 11 installed by default.

Additional improvements to the TV app for Apple TV and iOS devices will bring support for live news and live sports following the release of tvOS 11 and iOS 11, and later this fall, tvOS 11 will gain support for the Amazon Prime Video app.

tvOS 11 is limited to the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models and is not available on earlier models.

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

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Top Rated Comments

kissmo Avatar
102 months ago
Don’t do it readers if you value battery life.
Thanks! Good advice!
I always keep my Apple TV on battery. :))
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kissmo Avatar
102 months ago
shoot, is that why my Apple TV battery didn't last to long?
Don't be crazy man!
The new TV OS has battery firmware update.
It actually goes down the power grid to the Electricity provider and does there the upgrade.

P.S. I think TwoBytes meant to post on iOS 11 thread.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bluespider Avatar
102 months ago
Don’t do it readers if you value battery life.
shoot, is that why my Apple TV battery didn't last to long?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
masterjedi73 Avatar
102 months ago
When will Amazon Prime be available? I was hoping today, but it doesn't seem so...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Xavier Avatar
102 months ago
Auto dark mode. Didn't even know about this. Sweet!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benji888 Avatar
102 months ago
not seeing it yet ... ?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)