What to know

  • Apple announced tvOS 26 at its Worldwide Developers Conference 2025.
  • The update introduces design changes for a more unified Apple device experience.
  • tvOS 26 is part of a broader update to Apple’s operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS.
  • The new version aims to improve consistency and usability across Apple platforms.

Apple has officially introduced tvOS 26 during its keynote at the Worldwide Developers Conference 2025. This update is part of Apple’s annual refresh of its operating systems, which also includes iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. The company is focusing on making the design and experience more cohesive across all its devices.

With tvOS 26, Apple aims to bring a consistent look and feel to the Apple TV platform. The update is expected to make it easier for users to navigate and interact with their Apple TV, aligning the interface more closely with other Apple products. This move is part of Apple’s broader strategy to unify its software design language across devices.

The announcement of tvOS 26 comes alongside updates to other Apple operating systems. Apple is reportedly adopting a year-based naming scheme for its platforms, so users will see names like iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26, instead of the previous numbering system. This change is intended to simplify the understanding of software versions for users.

Apple has not yet detailed all the specific features of tvOS 26, but the focus on design and usability improvements suggests that users can expect a more streamlined and familiar experience when using Apple TV. The update is expected to roll out later this year as part of Apple’s regular software release cycle.