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Apple A-Z » Apple Software

tvOS 26

tvOS 26
 

Apple could reveal tvOS 26 during WWDC 2025 as the next-generation operating system for tvOS. Some design changes are expected that will bring it closer to visionOS, but little else is rumored.

● TBA WWDC 2025
● New visionOS-like design elements
● Additional screensaver options
● InSight updates
● Releasing September 2025

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The Apple TV is a mature platform that has a central focus on providing users access to streaming services. tvOS 26 likely won't radically move away from this paradigm, but it could get a fresh coat of paint that makes it resemble visionOS.

The tvOS design evolved from the classic Apple TV, which featured elongated icons that were large and easy to see from a distance. When the latest generations of Apple TV were introduced with the App Store, the design was modernized, but was still recognizable with its icons and layout.

Funny enough, tvOS was a big influence on parts of visionOS thanks to its focus engine. Whenever you rest your thumb on the trackpad of an Apple TV Remote, the icon or object you've highlighted can shift and move, emphasizing what you're highlighting.

visionOS works similarly by ensuring users can tell what their eyes are selecting with a glance.

Now, it seems visionOS will feed tvOS back some inspiration of its own, but this time in design. The transparent glass, reflective surfaces, and other interactive elements are likely to become a part of tvOS in some way with tvOS 26.

Beyond that redesign, there aren't many rumors, if any at all, regarding tvOS itself. Apple could be splitting its App Store into pieces, with one focusing on apps and the other focusing on games.

Apple TV already has an app called Apple Arcade, but it acts as little more than a launcher. The new Apple Games app will have Apple Arcade titles, App Store games library, social features, Game Center, and a game launcher all in one place.

One feature announced with tvOS 18 that never launched could arrive with tvOS 26 — Apple TV+ screensavers. Scenes from shows like Foundation or Murderbot could become slow-moving screensavers for your Apple TV.

There were briefly some hints that Netflix was working on integrating with the Apple TV app. It's one of the only major holdouts for the platform, and such an update would be perfect for WWDC.

Apple will reveal tvOS 26 during the WWDC 2025 keynote on June 9. The beta period will run through the summer and will result in a public release in September.

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