Apple Releases tvOS 17 With FaceTime for Apple TV, Revamped Control Center and More

Apple today released tvOS 17, the latest version of the tvOS operating system that runs on the Apple TV 4K models and the ‌Apple TV‌ HD.

tvos 17 facetime
tvOS 17, which arrives with build number 21J354, can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌Apple TV‌ owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 17 automatically.

In tvOS 17, Apple has added a FaceTime app for ‌FaceTime‌ calls on a larger screen. The feature works through an iPhone or iPad running iOS 17/iPadOS 17, with the iOS device serving as the camera and the TV serving as the display. With a Split View option, you can place your ‌FaceTime‌ call on one side of the TV and a TV show or game on the other side for SharePlay experiences.

Apple Music Sing, the karaoke feature on the ‌Apple TV‌, can use the same Continuity Camera functionality to let you see yourself as you sing, complete with filters.

Apple redesigned Control Center to make it easier to get to key settings and information without having to open up the Settings app. Control Center also displays the system status, time, and the profile of the person signed in.

Second-generation Siri Remote owners can now use the ‌iPhone‌ to locate a lost remote, taking advantage of the Remote section of the ‌iPhone‌'s Control Center. There are a range of new aerial screen savers, along with screen savers based on the Memories section of the Photos app.

Other new features include Dolby Vision 8.1 support, an enhance dialogue option to make it easier to hear what's being said over music and effects, and support for third-party VPN apps. More on the new features in tvOS 17 can be found in our Apple TV roundup.

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

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys

Sunday July 6, 2025 3:03 pm 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. Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that ...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iphone 17 pro render majin bu

New iPhone 17 Pro Renders Highlight Apple Logo and MagSafe Design Changes

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:43 pm PDT by
New renders today provide the best look yet relocated Apple logo and redesigned MagSafe magnet array of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Image via Majin Bu. Several of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 Pro model have been rumored for some time, such as the elongated camera bump that spans the full width of the device, with the LiDAR Scanner and flash moving to the right side. ...
Prime Day 25 Feature Warm Triad

The Best Early Prime Day Deals on Apple Products

Saturday July 5, 2025 7:22 am PDT by
Amazon is soon to be back with its annual summertime Prime Day event, lasting for four days from July 8-11, the longest Prime Day yet. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront, and there are already many deals you can get on sale ahead of the event. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a ...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...

Top Rated Comments

sjsharksfan12 Avatar
24 months ago
First one that finished updating and it looks really nice. I like the extra space for 6 apps on the top shelf. Maybe they could have had a little more color but overall, I like it.

I like the Control Center. Thanks for giving us the time.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kurtfoster Avatar
24 months ago

Nope, not possible. Learn to live with it.
I think I’ll write a strongly worded email to Tim Cook. I’ll learn to live with it after I do that. ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ninja Dom Avatar
24 months ago

Not year yet. Uk 6.07?
Restart your Apple TV. I'm in the UK and it showed up after a restart.

FaceTime not available for Apple TV 4K Gen 1's?? :mad::mad::mad:
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JitteryJimmy Avatar
24 months ago

So wait let me get this straight, they're releasing iOS 17 for my Apple TV HD released in 2015 and yet my iPhone 8 Plus released in 2017 and my gf iPhone SE released in 2016 does not get an update?
Come on man!?
tvOS is a lot lighter weight than iOS.

I’m not complaining, my Apple TV has been the best investment in the past 8 years.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fuzzball84 Avatar
24 months ago
This is pretty cool, but it would be nicer if they sold a webcam based on the same technology as they have in MacBooks etc and then it would just be there all the time ready for calls... and better put a privacy switch on it lol
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
damo767 Avatar
24 months ago
Any idea where I can get the iPhone mount shown in the promo photo?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)