Apple Releases tvOS 12.3 With Updated TV App

Apple today released tvOS 12.3, the seventh update to the tvOS 12 operating system that runs on the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models. tvOS 12.3 comes more than a month after the release of tvOS 12.2.1, a minor bug fix update.

tvOS 12.3 is a free update that 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 12.3 automatically.

appletvapp
tvOS 12.3 is the biggest tvOS update Apple has released for quite some time because it introduces an overhauled TV app, which Apple first showed off earlier this year at its March 25 event. The new TV app is similar to the old TV app but it has a refreshed, modern look along with new features.

appletvapp3
There are dedicated sections for TV shows, movies, sports, and children's programming, along with access to your iTunes content. There continues to be a "Watch Now" section with an "Up Next" feature for keeping track of the TV shows and movies you're watching, and there's a new machine-learning based "For You" option that surfaces content recommendations based on what you've previously watched.

appletvapp4
Apple has included a "Channels" feature, which is a major part of the company's new services push. With Channels, you can subscribe to paid TV content from services like HBO, Showtime, and Starz, and watch that content right within the TV app without having to swap over to a third-party app.

appletvchannels
When you subscribe to a service through the TV app, Apple gets a cut of the subscription price and it makes it easier to access third-party content. While Channels are available, the TV app will continue to recommend content that's also only available through third-party apps, so it will work the same way that it did before, but with better recommendations.

appletvchannels2
The new ‌Apple TV‌ app is available in more than 100 countries starting today, and with Family Sharing, up to six family members are able to share subscriptions to ‌Apple TV‌ channels. Channels content can be watched both online or offline, including HBO content.

In the future, Apple plans to make its new TV+ subscription service available through the TV app, with TV+ offering up access to Apple's original TV shows and movies. The TV app is available on the ‌Apple TV‌ and iOS devices, and in the future, it will expand to the Mac.

Apple has also released new 7.3 software for the third-generation ‌Apple TV‌ models.

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

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in a Few Months With These 12 New Features

Thursday June 26, 2025 2:00 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are around three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Here's Which Vehicle Brands Will and Won't Offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Friday June 27, 2025 9:52 am PDT by
Apple last month announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. There was news this week about which automakers will and won't offer CarPlay Ultra, and we have provided an updated list below. CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately, if you cannot...
apple watch ultra 2 new black

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Finally Coming After Two-Year Hiatus

Tuesday June 24, 2025 3:40 am PDT by
Apple will finally deliver the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sometime this year, according to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong (via @jukanlosreve). The analyst expects both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to arrive this year (likely alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup, if previous launches are anything to go by), according to his latest product roadmap shared with...

Top Rated Comments

zorinlynx Avatar
80 months ago
('https://www.macrumors.com/2019/05/13/apple-releases-tvos-12-3/')
Apple has also released new 7.3 software for the third-generation Apple TV models.
This is actually better than it sounds at first; they fixed security issues with the third-generation Apple TV:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210121

Just last week my boss was talking about removing a few of these from our network due to security audits claiming they were a potential threat vector; thanks to this update we don't have to worry about it and can continue using them. (Primarily we use them as AirPlay targets)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EricNau Avatar
80 months ago
Ugh. I absolutely hate the new Apple TV app.

* Purchased TV shows and Movies are combined (why would I want that?)
* If you hover on a movie too long it starts auto-playing a trailer (like Netflix, and I loathe it)
* Movie album art is inconsistent, and now only three movies fit in a row; that’s only 6-9 on the entire screen; total waste of screen real-estate...
* ...meanwhile, the genres menu takes up half the screen (why is there no way to hide the side menu?) Admittedly this was previously the case, but it should have been fixed a long time ago
* You have to start watching a movie before you can read the movie info or quality (or select ‘play from beginning’)
* Movies in a series STILL aren’t displayed in numerical order

The worst part is, I can’t determine what they actually improved. Sure, it does a few things differently than before (like Channels) but that’s not a feature that I didn’t already have (with Prime, Hulu, etc).

EDIT: And for the love of god, why can’t I use Siri on my HomePod to turn the Apple TV on or off (or sleep)? Absurd.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jhall8 Avatar
80 months ago
Not bad for that UI...up next...is it synced with your other devices?
Yes, it is synced.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benji888 Avatar
80 months ago
The new ATV3 software is 8.4.2.

Edit: I saw the above on a reliable site. But I now see that the Apple support page shows version 7.3.
I think both are correct, the Apple TV software for ATV 3 is officially 7.3, however, versions 7.x are based on iOS 8. ...and I see now the last version (7.2.2) was also based on iOS 8.4.2, so changes are minor.
[doublepost=1557787652][/doublepost]Anyone (in US) have pics of the new Apple TV channel on ATV 3?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tothemoonsands Avatar
80 months ago
Do you mean that Home Sharing content is displayed inside the TV app itself? Or that the Home Sharing app on the Apple TV has improved?
Yes, the former - Home Sharing content is displayed inside the TV app in iOS. This isn't new per se, but from my experience so far, it is much improved now. Loads faster, no errors or authorization issues, no double library listings, episodes are accurately reflecting watched/unwatched status etc.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jhall8 Avatar
80 months ago
I think both are correct, the Apple TV software for ATV 3 is officially 7.3, however, versions 7.x are based on iOS 8. ...and I see now the last version (7.2.2) was also based on iOS 8.4.2, so changes are minor.
[doublepost=1557787652][/doublepost]Anyone (in US) have pics of the new Apple TV channel on ATV 3?
Here you go. And thanks for the clarification about the ATV3 update.

Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)