Summary
- Audio passthrough feature in tvOS 26 allows for a wide range of audio formats for better sound quality.
- Liquid Glass display in tvOS 26 gives the Apple TV interface a sleek, modern look.
- Profile selection setting in tvOS 26 prevents algorithm issues by ensuring the correct profile is chosen every time.
For the first time in a long time, I’m excited about a tvOS update. Apple revealed tvOS 26 alongside iOS 26, and there’s a lot to look forward to. The meat of the update is the Liquid Glass display, which will make your interface look a lot sleeker than it currently does. The Apple TV UI, as it stands, is fine, but it’s not exactly something special to look at.
An overhaul, while I had reservations, was needed because the Apple TV UI looked a little too simple. After seeing Apple reveal what was in store for tvOS 26, I became a believer. There’s a lot that I’m looking for on the horizon, and I can see myself finally pulling the trigger on an Apple TV 4K upgrade that I’ve been holding off on for so long.
- Brand
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Apple
- Bluetooth codecs
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5.0
- Wi-Fi
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6
- Ethernet
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Gigabit (128GB model only)
- Storage and RAM
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64GB, 128GB
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1
Audio passthrough is a big deal
Long have we waited
Pocket-lint / Apple
Aside from some visual upgrades, tvOS 26 is introducing a much-awaited feature with audio passthrough. Currently, the Apple TV device handles your audio and converts it, but with audio passthrough you can send it forward to your receiver and let that do the work. This opens up a wide range of different audio formats, and it’ll result in better sound if you have the necessary hardware, like a soundbar or speakers.
For example. I have a 5.1 surround sound setup, but the majority of my streaming content comes through my receiver as “Multi-In” since my Apple TV 4K doesn’t recognize the audio signal being sent through. When a movie or show outputs Dolby Atmos, it’s all good, but that’s not the case with many things I watch. My receiver would have no problem handling any format, but the Apple TV 4K is limited. This is why audio passthrough is a big deal, and I hope it rolls out to all Apple TV 4K devices and not just the latest generation. I don’t see why this couldn’t be a software change, but Apple might determine that it requires a hardware refresh.
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2
Liquid Glass looks nice
A sleek upgrade
I wasn’t clamoring for a UI upgrade by any means, but I’m not upset after seeing how nice everything looks. Apple wants all of its devices to share a similar look to make it easy to transition between them. The Apple TV 4K is the only Apple product I have, so it doesn’t make any difference to me, but it’s a nice touch that I’m sure people entrenched in the Apple ecosystem appreciate.
Unfortunately, my first-gen Apple TV 4K isn’t getting this update, but it’s something I look forward to seeing when I make an upgrade. It’s not an earth-shattering change by any means, but it’s something that goes a long way toward helping the Apple TV interface, and every Apple device, look more modern. Even screens as small as an Apple Watch are getting this update, so it’s clear Apple feels good about this update and wants everybody to experience what it has to offer.
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3
No more ruining somebody’s algorithm
Easier profile switching
Apple / Pocket-lint
If you have a family that all uses the Apple TV 4K, you know how annoying it can be to forget to switch between profiles and muck up somebody else’s recommendations. Thankfully, I share a profile with just one other person, and we often watch the same things, so there’s nothing to worry about. However, it’s easy to imagine how an adult’s taste and a child’s differ. I know I wouldn’t like to be recommended PAW Patrol everywhere I look.
With tvOS 26, you can toggle on a setting that makes you select a profile when you turn on your Apple TV. This means you don’t have to worry about forgetting to switch because you’ll have to select something each time you turn on your device. This should alleviate any problems you have, and your algorithm will no longer be destroyed by somebody watching a bunch of things you’re not interested in.
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4
More intuitive for setting up new devices
A big time saver
Apple
When I was setting up my Roku Streaming Stick in my basement, it was very easy thanks to all my app logins being tied to my Roku account. I have a Roku Ultra in my bedroom that is signed in to everything, and I was dreading having to do it all over again with my Roku Streaming Stick. Fortunately, that wasn’t a problem as everything signed in as I set up the device. This same functionality is coming to tvOS.
I don’t have a second Apple TV 4K yet, but when I get one, I’ll appreciate being able to set up the new device without much of a headache. There are a lot of streaming services out there, so it’s nice to save time when I can. While Apple TV is far ahead of other streamers in some areas, it’s obvious it lags behind in situations such as this. I’m glad tvOS 26 is addressing this because it’s a big deal for me, and I imagine it’ll be something many people are happy about if they pick up a second device.
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