Apple Releases tvOS 15.4 With Support for Captive WiFi Networks - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Releases tvOS 15.4 With Support for Captive WiFi Networks

Apple today released tvOS 15.4, the fourth major update to the tvOS operating system that first launched in September 2021. tvOS 15.4 comes less than two months after the launch of tvOS 15.3.

Apple TV tvOS 15 Feature
tvOS 15.4 can be downloaded over the air on the Apple TV through the Settings app by going to System > Software Update. ‌‌‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates enabled will be upgraded to tvOS 15.4 automatically.

Apple's tvOS updates are typically more minor in scale, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes, performance updates, and small tweaks rather than major outward-facing changes, but there are a couple changes in tvOS 15.4.

The update adds support for captive Wi-Fi networks, which means that an iPhone or iPad can be used to connect your ‌Apple TV‌ to networks that require additional sign-in steps, such as in hotel rooms.

tvOS 15.4 introduces an "Up Next" queue directly to the video player to make it easier to get from show to show when you're watching television, plus it includes a new volume button that's accessible from the video player, plus "Tap to Navigate" has returned as an accessibility option and spatial audio controls have also been redesigned.

tvOS 15.4 also allows you to complete a purchase on the ‌Apple TV‌ using an Apple Watch, and adds the ability to display HomeKit cameras in Picture in Picture mode while watching TV.

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

Popular Stories

Where is the New Apple TV Feature

Next Apple TV's Chip Revealed in Latest Leak

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:19 am PDT by
The next Apple TV 4K will be equipped with an A19 or A19 Pro chip, according to evidence in Apple's code uncovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. In particular, the device's model identifier points towards the A19 generation of chips. Accordingly, the next Apple TV would have 8GB or 12GB of RAM, up from 4GB in the current 2022 model with the A15 Bionic chip. Other rumored upgrades for...
iOS 27 Feature Cool

Apple Releases New iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and tvOS 27 Public Betas

Monday August 31, 2026 2:13 pm PDT by
Apple today released the sixth public betas of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, tvOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, allowing anyone with a compatible device to download and test the new software. The sixth betas come a week after Apple seeded the fifth betas and a few hours after the eighth developer betas. You can get started by signing up on Apple's beta website and then opting in to the public beta by...
Apple TV Remote Icon

iOS 27 to Upgrade Apple TV Remote App in Two Ways

Thursday September 10, 2026 2:33 am PDT by
Apple has updated the design of the virtual Apple TV Remote for the iOS 27 Release Candidate, which was released yesterday, and there are two new features that have been added to the iPhone app's interface. First up, Apple has added a new button to the top-right corner of the Remote UI with a glyph showing four squares. Pressing the button pops out an app menu similar to the Apple TV home...

Top Rated Comments

59 months ago

I wondered the same. People bring their AppleTV to hotels or pubic spots? It’s not that portable, plus you need to carry a TV/monitor. Odd, it seems
Most hotels have a tv...you do not need to bring your own.. and Apple Tv is quite portable...am I missing something?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
59 months ago
Library tab for large collection remains broken on the Apple TV app.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
59 months ago

Ive done this many times. Particularly works well for Airbnb/VRBO, too.
Same here. In fact, dealing with captive portals was the last hurdle to making the ATV a perfect travel companion for watching media. Nothing beats having your own device with your own streaming logins/etc. when you're at a hotel. Not to mention most hotel TV systems SUCK or aren't subscribed to stuff you want to watch.

Of course I'll have to see how it works next time I travel. I can't find information anywhere and it's not like I have a captive portal wifi available at home to test with.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
59 months ago

Pro tip: After this update my Apple TV would not load the settings app and the long press to reveal the right lateral menu also didn't work. Not even after a reboot.

The fix is to pull out the power cord and wait a few seconds. Quality job from Apple!
Quality job on assuming that everybody will have this problem and that it's a quality-control problem! 😜
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
59 months ago
The thought of taking my AppleTV to my hotel room never even occurred to me 🤣
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fenryx Avatar
59 months ago
Anyone know if this fixes the issue with Audio cutting out when playing Atmos content on a receiver?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)