Apple has unveiled tvOS 26, bringing a major overhaul to its Apple TV interface. The tvOS 26 also integrates Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” design, which dynamically adapts to emphasize content and is integrated across various elements, including controls, navigation, app icons, and widgets.
The new design allows the video to remain front and center while fast-forwarding or rewinding, starting a sleep timer, adjusting audio, or setting a “Movie night” scene in Control Center. tvOS 26 is designed to keep the focus on what’s playing, so users never miss a detail, says the company.
The new Liquid Glass design is also adopted into Apple TV’s content interface, featuring new poster art and allowing more shows and movies to be displayed. With the latest update to Apple TV, users will now have the choice to automatically display profiles when Apple TV wakes, allowing them to quickly get back to their Watchlist.
Improved Sing-along Feature
The new updates to the Sing-along feature in tvOS 26 allow users to transform their iPhone into a handheld microphone for Apple TV and have their voices amplified as they belt out their favorite songs. Multiple iPhone users can queue up songs or react with onscreen emoji in real-time, offering a more fun.
Improved FaceTime
In tvOS 26, Apple has made the FaceTime experience on Apple TV more consistent with iOS. Improvements include the display of Contact Posters on Apple TV, the addition of French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish languages to Live Caption, and the syncing of FaceTime audio and phone call notifications on the TV screen.
Upcoming Features
- New Aerial screen savers captured across India, including in Goa and Kerala.
- Personalize the screen saver experience by choosing specific Cityscape, Earth, Landscape, or Underwater Aerials to display — or hide.
- Designate any AirPlay-enabled speaker as the permanent speaker for Apple TV.
Availability
Developers can test it now through the Apple Developer Program, starting today. A public beta arrives next month via the Apple Beta Software Program. Stable rollout to Apple TV devices will begin this fall (starting in September).