Apple Releases tvOS 11.3 for 4th and 5th Generation Apple TV Models

Apple today released tvOS 11.3, the second major update to the tvOS operating system designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models. tvOS 11.3 comes more than three months after the release of tvOS 11.2, and a month after the release of a minor tvOS 11.2.6 update.

tvOS 11.3 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 11.3 automatically.

tvOS 11.3 introduces performance improvements and bug fixes for issues discovered following the release of tvOS 11.2.6.

The update introduces enhancements to Match Content support, automatic frame rate switching on the fourth-generation Apple TV (a feature that was added to Apple TV 4K in a past update), and automatic mode switching for AirPlay video sessions.

The TV app, designed to let users find and watch television shows and movies aggregated from entertainment apps, is expanding to Brazil and Mexico. Brazil is also gaining Siri support on Apple TV 4K and the fourth-generation Apple TV.

Early beta versions of tvOS 11.3 included support for AirPlay 2, allowing the Apple TV to be added to the Home app as part of a HomeKit setup and enabling multi-room audio across multiple Apple TVs.

AirPlay 2 functionality was, however, removed in the third beta of tvOS 11.3, eliminating these features. AirPlay 2 was not re-added during the beta testing period, so it's likely Apple is saving the feature for a future update.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 12

Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Caution)

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

maestrokev

7 months ago

finally 24Hz frame rate!

Rating: 4 Votes

BryanJ

7 months ago

Only thing I need from the Apple TV at the moment is a quicker way to connect my airpods. I hate going out and into settings. Perhaps there is an easier way I am not aware of

Rating: 2 Votes

Morac

7 months ago

tvOS 11.3 also added Dolby Vision support to Sony TV's that were updated to support Dolby Vision. The Dolby Vision profile that the Sony TVs use was incompatible with the Apple TV 4K until tvOS 11.3.

Rating: 2 Votes

Morac

7 months ago

Seriously? Scroll up a few posts. What about you a forum protocol nazi? Geez glad you have the spare time to worry about something like this.

He’s correct. No where in my post did I mention Atmos, so I have no idea why you responded to my post mentioning it.

Rating: 1 Votes

jacjustjac

7 months ago

Ah, finally finally Apple brings 24Hz to the Apple TV, and without forcing me buy the latest one! I’ve had a Panasonic Plasma since 2009 that supported 24Hz (part of the reason I bought it) and for years I still preferred using Plex on my Mac Mini instead of PlexConnect, AirPlay, or even the latest native app on ATV, because I didn’t like 3:2 pulldown on my Blu-Ray rips.
It’s too bad Apple took away the Optical Out with the fourth gen... but they’ll never let you have the perfect product, will they?

Rating: 1 Votes

Totalkharnage

7 months ago

Only thing I need from the Apple TV at the moment is a quicker way to connect my airpods. I hate going out and into settings. Perhaps there is an easier way I am not aware of

From the home screen, hold down the play button, this brings up a menu when you can select Airpods.

Wish there was an even quicker way or even then automatically syncing but his is easier than digging into Settings menu.

Rating: 1 Votes

Dferreira87

7 months ago

Only thing I need from the Apple TV at the moment is a quicker way to connect my airpods. I hate going out and into settings. Perhaps there is an easier way I am not aware of

Just hold down the play/pause button while on the home screen. This will give the option to connect to your AirPods.

Rating: 1 Votes

nrose101

7 months ago

tvOS 11.3 also added Dolby Vision support to Sony TV's that were updated to support Dolby Vision. The Dolby Vision profile that the Sony TVs use was incompatible with the Apple TV 4K until tvOS 11.3.

100% Atmos is not in this release.

Rating: 1 Votes

Breezer23

7 months ago

100% Atmos is not in this release.

Apple needs to get it together with the audio formats. I use my Xbox One X almost exclusively for watching movies since buying an Atmos capable home theater system. Definitely a bummer as I loved the Apple TV when I was using it.

Rating: 1 Votes