Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming tvOS 16.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming just one day after the launch of the tvOS 16 operating system.
Developers can download the new tvOS 16.1 beta by downloading a profile onto the Apple TV using Xcode.
tvOS updates are typically minor, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements rather than outward-facing changes. There is no word as of yet what's included in the tvOS 16.1 update, but we'll update this article if we find anything new.
Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch. tvOS 16 brought enhanced multiuser support, Personalized Spatial Audio when using AirPods, and Accessibility improvements.
Though we don't often know what's new in tvOS during the beta testing process, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download it upon release.
Wednesday March 25, 2026 3:33 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple this week released tvOS 26.4, and the software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the Apple TV.
tvOS 26.4 is compatible with all Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models released since 2015. To update your Apple TV, open the Settings app on the device, navigate to System → Software Updates, and select Update Software.
Below, we have recapped what is new in tvOS...
The Apple TV is now almost two decades old amid rumors of the announcement of a new model.
Today marks 19 years Apple launched the original Apple TV. Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the Apple TV at Macworld Expo in January 2007 alongside the original iPhone, but it didn't launch until March.
The Apple TV was initially previewed as the "iTV." The device allowed users to wirelessly stream...
Apple has unveiled nine new products this month, but the wait continues for the next-generation Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini models.
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said new versions of the Apple TV and HomePod mini have been "ready" since last year, but he reiterated that Apple has held off on releasing them until the more personalized version of Siri and other...
After the update Monday to tvO16 I had an issue where the IOS Remote on the iPhone would no longer control the system volume as it did before the update. I ended up removing the remote from control center and re adding it. It now works with the volume buttons on the phone but the volume slider on the lock screen is grayed out now.
I feel as though something with this update as caused issues with the remote functionality.
Only issue I seem to have with the latest update is the remote seems unresponsive when I go to turn off the Apple TV and shut the TV off. It eventfully responds but take about 15 seconds.
