Apple Seeds Fifth Beta of tvOS 17 to Developers

Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming tvOS 17 beta to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple introduced the fourth beta.

apple tv 4k yellow bg feature
Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 17 update by opting in to the beta through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A registered developer account is required.

tvOS updates don't typically garner as much attention as updates to iOS and macOS, and are never as feature rich, but tvOS 17 brings FaceTime to the TV for the first time. The ‌Apple TV‌ 4K can connect to an iPhone or iPad that serves as the camera, with the ‌FaceTime‌ interface showing up on the TV's screen.

All of the ‌FaceTime‌ features are available, including Center Stage to keep you front and center, plus there are new gesture-based reactions that let you use your hands to generate on-screen effects. For example, if you make a heart with your hands, the screen will display hearts.

Split View for ‌Apple TV‌ lets users watch television with friends and family using SharePlay, and there are controls for transferring calls between the TV and an ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ as needed. Third-party apps like Zoom will also be able to take advantage of this functionality, so those apps will also work on the TV screen.

Control Center on ‌Apple TV‌ has been revamped and it is easier for users to access key settings and information, plus there is a new feature that allows the ‌iPhone‌ to locate a Siri Remote that's been misplaced.

tvOS also features a range of new aerial screen savers, adds support for third-party VPN apps, introduces Dolby Vision 8.1 on compatible devices, and more. Details can be found in our Apple TV roundup.

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

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Top Rated Comments

MrENGLISH Avatar
25 months ago

how many of these new features will require a new device not yet released? Hmmm
They never announce a new feature that would be limited to an unannounced device without first announcing the new device. That being said, it is not unusual for them to announce a new feature and then restrict that feature to newer devices.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gnomeisland Avatar
25 months ago

This article's...



...is the first I've seen of Continuity Camera working with iPads too. Is that correct or a typo? I thought it was iPhone only ('https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT213244')?
Nope, I used my iPad when I installed the first dev beta. Worked then, but I haven't tried it with the latest builds.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
danlat1415 Avatar
25 months ago

Anyone else not seeing the beta? I can’t get mine to see it, same with my iPad
Go into updates and change beta updates to NO.
Then go back in and change to YES.
You then get option to choose Developer Beta or Public Beta.

Public Beta not yet updated, so change to Developer Beta and you should get it

An FYI - you can constantly switch between public beta and developer beta as each one gets released (usually a week apart)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fwmireault Avatar
25 months ago

This article's...



...is the first I've seen of Continuity Camera working with iPads too. Is that correct or a typo? I thought it was iPhone only ('https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT213244')?
It's iPhone only on the Mac, but I can confirm that for tvOS it works with iPads too. Only the selfie cam tho.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alexandr Avatar
25 months ago
I didn't realize that there was no way to roll this beta back, and have really regretted jumping the gun, but it's getting better, I think.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
25 months ago
This article's...


The Apple TV 4K can connect to an iPhone or iPad that serves as the camera
...is the first I've seen of Continuity Camera working with iPads too. Is that correct or a typo? I thought it was iPhone only ('https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT213244')?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)