tvOS 18 Rumored to Be Compatible With These Apple TV Models

Just ahead of WWDC, we have another last-minute compatibility rumor to share from a proven leaker, with this one relating to the Apple TV.

apple tv 4k yellow bg feature
In a post on social media platform X today, the leaker claimed that tvOS 18 will remain compatible with the Apple TV HD, released in 2015.

If so, tvOS 18 would be compatible with all Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models, meaning there would be no change compared to tvOS 17:

  • Apple TV HD (2015)
  • Apple TV 4K (2017)
  • Apple TV 4K (2nd Generation) (2021)
  • Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation) (2022)

Given that HomePods run a variant of tvOS, the leaker thinks the next HomePod software update is likely to support all HomePods, including the original 2018 model.

The leaker who revealed this information has a private account on X, so we have elected not to share its name or link to it, but they have shared accurate compatibility information and build numbers for Apple's software updates in the past.

Apple will unveil tvOS 18 and other major software updates during the WWDC keynote, which begins at 10 a.m. Pacific Time today.

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

Popular Stories

iOS 19 Mock WWDC25 Feature

iOS 19 Expected to Run on These iPhones

Monday March 31, 2025 5:28 pm PDT by
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected...
watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1

Apple Releases watchOS 11.4 With Sleep Alarm Update

Tuesday April 1, 2025 10:34 am PDT by
Apple today released watchOS 11.4, the fourth major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.4 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2. watchOS 11.4 can be downloaded on a connected iPhone by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software,...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Monday March 31, 2025 11:27 am PDT by
Apple today released new firmware updates for all AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 models. The new firmware is version 7E93, up from the 7B21 firmware that was installed on the AirPods Pro 2 and the 7B20 firmware available on the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC. It is not immediately clear what new features or changes are included in the new firmware, but we'll update this article should we find ...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.4 With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, New Emoji and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating system updates that came out last year. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 come two months after Apple released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to...
Apple Card iPhone 16 Pro Feature

Visa and American Express Vying to Win Apple Card Deal in 'Fierce' Fight

Tuesday April 1, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Visa wants to pay Apple approximately $100 million to be the new payment network for the Apple Card, reports The Wall Street Journal. As of right now, the Apple Card is on the Mastercard payment network, but that is set to change because Apple is ending its partnership with Goldman Sachs. Both American Express and Visa are vying to replace Mastercard as Apple's card services provider, while...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
iOS 18

Apple Seeds First Beta of iOS 18.5 to Developers

Wednesday April 2, 2025 10:11 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming just two days after Apple released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update. We don't yet know what Apple is introducing in the iOS 18.5...

Top Rated Comments

zorinlynx Avatar
11 months ago
I'm amazed that Apple is still fully supporting the 2015 Apple TV. That has got to be the record for the longest a device has ever gotten software updates!
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
11 months ago

Drop support for the 2015 ATV HD. Release a new model. Those of us with a HD or 4K (1st Gen) will upgrade.
Why? I don't even use a 2015 ATV anymore. But I'd still rather Apple support it as long as they can.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Supercyborgninja Avatar
11 months ago
2015? Must not be a significant update again.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Heat_Fan89 Avatar
11 months ago
I'm still amazed that my 2015 ATV is still getting support. I plan on buying a new ATV once Apple decides to drop my device but each year it gets a new life line.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BruiserB Avatar
11 months ago
The basic functionality of tvOS is to stream video to the TV. The resolution is limited by the model of AppleTV (HD or 4K). The chips in the AppleTV can handle their respective video rates. There really isn't a reason any of these should have to become obsolete. Hopefully Apple will continue OS support as long as possible, leaving out any new OS features that aren't necessary for the basic functionality.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
trusso Avatar
11 months ago

Drop support for the 2015 ATV HD. Release a new model. Those of us with a HD or 4K (1st Gen) will upgrade.

Why? I don't even use a 2015 ATV anymore. But I'd still rather Apple support it as long as they can.
Agreed. It’s a streaming device for goodness sake, it doesn’t need that much power. Apple should support it for as long as they can. I have the latest Apple TV (2022 model) myself, but why would I want folks with the older models left out in the cold? Seems like an awful take if you ask me.

Too many dogs in the manger these days. :rolleyes:
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)