Apple has launched tvOS 26, and it is one of the most feature-rich updates yet. The standout addition is the Liquid Glass redesign, which brings a modern, unified look across Apple’s devices. Buttons and icons now match iOS, while a glass-like media player offers translucent accents and reflective effects. The Control Center is also cleaner, with simplified tabs for profiles, Home, controls, and VPN.
Apple has improved profiles too. Users can now set a default profile prompt when waking Apple TV, making the experience smoother and easier for households with multiple users.
Karaoke Mode and Music Enhancements
Music takes center stage in this update. The Music app gets a polished look, but the big highlight is karaoke mode. With this feature, you can use your iPhone as a microphone while friends cheer you on with emoji reactions. Apple also added automatic lyric translation with phonetic guides, making it easier to sing in different languages.
Powerful Audio Improvements
Sound quality has received a major boost. Apple now allows you to assign a permanent AirPlay-enabled speaker, eliminating the need for constant re-pairing. Support for passthrough audio ensures unprocessed, high-quality sound for home theater setups. In addition, Dolby Atmos 9.6.1 support adds new overhead and front channels, creating a more immersive surround sound experience for movies and shows.
FaceTime and Small Touches
Apple has expanded FaceTime on tvOS 26 with features like Contact Posters and Live Captions in multiple languages, including French, Japanese, and Spanish. Notifications for calls now display on-screen, allowing users to answer through HomePod speakers or an iPhone.
Smaller updates also refine the overall Apple TV experience. The TV app layout now features reorganized watchlists, while users can toggle individual aerial screen savers instead of entire categories. Finally, as a Home Hub, tvOS 26 introduces Thread 1.4 support, improving smart home connectivity.
A Meaningful Upgrade
While Apple TV updates are often minor, tvOS 26 delivers meaningful upgrades across visuals, music, sound, and communication. From karaoke nights to cinematic surround sound, this update transforms how users interact with Apple’s set-top box .
