Apple Releases tvOS 13.3 for Fourth and Fifth-Generation Apple TV Models

Apple today released tvOS 13.3, the second major update to the tvOS 13 operating system that runs on the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models. tvOS 13.3 comes over a month after the launch of the tvOS 13.2 update.

‌tvOS 13.3‌, which is a free update, 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 13‌‌.3 automatically.

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tvOS 13.3 adds a useful new setting that's designed to let you change the main banner interface in the ‌Apple TV‌ app from What to Watch to Up Next, which displays content from shows that you're already watching rather than show suggestions.

The option can be accessed by going to the Settings app, choosing Apps, and selecting the TV app. From there, select Home Screen and choose "Up Next" in the "Top Shelf" section.

We didn't find any additional new features in tvOS 13.3 during the beta testing period, making it unclear what else might be included, but it likely focuses on bug fixes and performance improvements.

Details on the update will be provided through Apple's tvOS support document.

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Top Rated Comments

Truckondo Avatar
71 months ago
Here’s hoping they fixed the Dolby Vision bug with iTunes movie content.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HDFan Avatar
71 months ago

appletv app still can’t load large libraries.
So what happens? What is a "large" library?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
71 months ago

I was gifted an ATV for Christmas and am sitting on 12.4.1. Is it safe to update to 13.3 on ATV or should I stay put on 12.4.1 as I am with my iOS devices?
I'm running iOS 13.3, iPadOS 13.3, and tvOS 13.3 (and watchOS 6.1.1), and I'm reasonably happy with all of them (I had to go to iOS 13 to match up with the Apple Watch 5 when it came out). tvOS is not as tightly connected to iOS and iPadOS as they are with each other, and for quite a stretch of time, my Apple TV was several generations of OS ahead of my iPhone and iPad (when they were old hardware), without causing any particular problems.

I would recommend upgrading the ATV to tvOS 13 now (it won't cause trouble vs the other devices), and strongly consider upgrading the other devices now, or soon.

Also, congrats! The ATV is a great device. Aside from watching over-the-air broadcasts once in a long while, my TV pretty much serves as a "dumb" output device for the ATV4K. HDMI-CEC means the ATV's remote can turn everything on and off, and control volume, so I rarely touch any other remote.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jhulgan Avatar
71 months ago
That was the first thing I did after updating. I don't want to see adverts for AppleTV+ every time I turn on my television.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BWhaler Avatar
71 months ago
appletv app still can’t load large libraries. I guess Apple doesn’t care about big customers who spend a lot of money with then.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)