Your Apple TV 4K is getting a free upgrade soon, here’s what to expect ‣ Diverse Daily

When Apple unveiled tvOS 27 back at WWDC 2026 in June, it didn’t have much to say about the update, which wasn’t exactly surprising. The company’s biggest focus at the event was Siri AI, its long-awaited upgraded version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, which promises to make the assistant much smarter and more conversational.

The problem is that Apple doesn’t currently sell an Apple TV 4K capable of supporting Siri AI or Apple Intelligence, meaning the Apple TV 4K and tvOS were effectively pushed to the sidelines during most of WWDC.

That said, Apple did release tvOS 27 in developer beta in June, giving us an early look at what the next major software update for the Apple TV 4K has in store. Even without Siri AI included in the update, there are still several notable changes, including a new Larger Text accessibility feature for the user interface and a redesigned Podcasts app.

Now, a month after WWDC, tvOS 27 has finally entered public beta, giving us a much clearer picture of what’s new in Apple’s latest update for the Apple TV.

Here’s a look at all the new features coming with tvOS 27 so far, along with how you can try the public beta ahead of its full release this fall.

tvOS 27 is packed with small but meaningful changes

Improved performance and faster AirPlay are on the way

The biggest change in tvOS 26 last year was the introduction of the Liquid Glass interface, and while tvOS 27 doesn’t include anything quite as dramatic, it’s packed with smaller improvements that should make using your Apple TV 4K better day to day.

The first changes that stand out are the performance improvements Apple is bringing to the table with this update. tvOS 27 makes the Control Center feel more responsive, speeds up AirPlay connections, and cuts app launch times by up to 30 percent. Taken together, these changes should make your Apple TV 4K feel much more responsive, which is impressive given how smooth Apple TV already is. In particular, I still rely on AirPlay all the time, so I’m especially happy to see Apple giving it attention in this update.

Beyond the performance improvements, tvOS 27 also introduces a handful of useful quality-of-life features. You can now update your Apple TV 4K directly through the Home app on your iPhone, while Apple Music gains support for Hi-Res Lossless audio (via 9to5Mac), letting you enjoy the highest possible sound quality when listening through your TV.

Here’s a full rundown of all the changes coming so far for tvOS 27:

A new Larger Text option for the user interface, making menus and on-screen text easier to read.
The ability to check your AppleCare coverage directly in the Settings app.
A redesigned Podcasts app with improved video playback and a new sidebar for easier navigation.
Smart Downloads for the Apple TV app.
The ability to update your Apple TV through the Home app on your iPhone.
Hi-Res Lossless audio support in Apple Music.
AutoMix in Apple Music for smoother transitions between songs.
Faster app launch times.
A more responsive Control Center.
Improved game controller settings.

How to test tvOS 27 right now

There’s likely more to come

If you’re interested in trying out tvOS 27 before its official release this fall, you can download the public beta right now.

To get started, you’ll first need to sign up for Apple’s Beta Software Program, which is free through Apple’s website. Once you’re enrolled, head to Settings > System on your Apple TV 4K to install the tvOS 27 public beta.

Before you do, though, it’s worth noting that tvOS 27 drops support for two older Apple TV models: the Apple TV HD (2015) and the first-gen Apple TV 4K (2017).

That means only the second-gen Apple TV 4K (2021) and the current third-gen Apple TV 4K (2022) are eligible for the update.

Additionally, if you’ve been thinking about buying an Apple TV 4K, there’s good reason to hold off for the time being. Apple is widely expected to launch a new Apple TV 4K model before the end of the year with upgraded hardware and support for Siri AI, meaning there are likely even more features to come for tvOS 27 that a new Apple TV 4K will likely exclusively support.

With that in mind, I’d recommend waiting a little longer for the new Apple TV 4K to be released before buying one. The current third-gen model is nearly four years old, and with Apple recently raising its price from $129 to $200, it just doesn’t offer the same value it once did.