Apple has introduced tvOS 26, the latest update to its smart TV platform, bringing a redesigned user interface, new Apple Music Sing capabilities, and expanded FaceTime support to Apple TV 4K devices. The update centers around a new visual aesthetic called Liquid Glass, which uses real-time rendering to reflect and refract surrounding colors, giving Apple TV a more vibrant and immersive look.
This material is integrated into the Apple TV app, Control Center, and system interactions, such as when adjusting volume, scrubbing video, or enabling scenes like “Movie night.” Liquid Glass is also coming to a wide range of other Apple devices as part of a software refresh.
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Apple has also redesigned its TV app with cinematic poster art and more surface area for content discovery. Profile-switching has been enhanced with automatic display of user profiles upon waking the device, making it easier to access personalized Watchlists and Apple Music playlists.
To simplify sign-ins across streaming apps, tvOS 26 introduces a new developer API that links app credentials to a user’s Apple Account—streamlining logins when setting up a new device.
One of the more interactive additions is the expanded Apple Music Sing feature, which now allows users to turn their iPhone into a wireless microphone. Voices are amplified through the TV, with lyrics and visual effects displayed in real time. Apple also added new language support for lyrics translation and pronunciation tools to accommodate a wider variety of songs.
FaceTime integration on tvOS 26 has also been improved with the addition of Contact Posters and expanded Live Captions in multiple languages. Users can now receive FaceTime audio and phone call notifications on Apple TV, routed to either connected HomePod speakers or their iPhone.
In a notable update for smart home audio setups, Apple TV users can now designate any AirPlay-enabled speaker including third-party models as the system’s default audio output. This gives users more flexibility when integrating Apple TV into multiroom audio systems or home theaters.
Additional updates include new aerial screen savers showcasing locations across India, including Goa and Kerala, as well as another screen saver feature that lets users filter by theme.
tvOS 26 is now available to developers via Apple’s Developer Program, with a public beta arriving next month. The full update will roll out this fall as a free software upgrade for Apple TV 4K (2nd generation and later).
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