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What’s New in Version 5.1

Apple released their annual set of updates to operating systems in fall 2025, this year deciding to synchronize the numbers to the last two digits of the following year. Thus, we jump from tvOS 18 to tvOS 26, which is in sync with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 Tahoe. This version brings everything up to date for these operating systems.

The most notable changes are:

• Liquid Glass: Apple revamped all their operating systems’ interface to one consistent approach called Liquid Glass. It adds translucency to let more elements bleed through. You see this only slightly on an Apple TV. Because of the paucity of other changes, you will see tvOS 26 screen captures sparingly in this update.
• Apple TV+ now just Apple TV: Apple’s streaming service has been known as Apple TV+ since its launch. It’s now Apple TV—no plus. See “What Are Apple TV and iTunes?”
• Pick a profile when waking from sleep: If you’re in a household with people who set up their own profiles, you can choose to be prompted on every wake or restart instead of resuming the previous profile’s session. See “Manage Users.”
• TV app posters: The TV app now shows vertical “posters,” or previews, instead of the former horizontal “cards.” This means you can see more from left to right, but with fewer rows. See “Navigate the Home Screen.”
• FaceTime: Apple gave FaceTime a, er, facelift in the fall 2025 releases, providing a consistent interface, buttons, and other features across all their platforms. See “Call with FaceTime.”
• Sing in Apple Music: You can sing along in karaoke using your iPhone as a mic. See “Host an Apple TV Karaoke Party.”
• Aerials selection: You can choose which Aerials to show in the Screen Saver. See “Customize the Screen Saver.”

What Was New in the Fifth Edition

After years of modest improvements, Apple shifted in the last couple of release of tvOS to making significant motion forward. That remained true of tvOS 18, released in fall 2024.

This new edition of the book included significant updates for that release and features found in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS that relate. Many user-interface and other elements you may be familiar with had their name, location, or options changed in this release.

You can find specific updated parts of the book that cover these areas:

• Siri: Apple no longer sends audio from Siri requests to their servers on Apple TV 4K 2nd and 3rd generation devices. See “Dictate Text with the Siri Remote.”
• Cinematic playback: Some TVs and projectors offer support for a cinematic-style ultra-wide screen 21:9 and other ratios. Apple added support in tvOS 18.2. See “Decide Which TV to Buy.”
• Screen savers: The approach to screen savers in tvOS 18 changed profoundly, with new options, a new selection method, and more—including a Snoopy and Woodstock animated choice in tvOS 18.2. See “Customize the Screen Saver.”
• Subtitles: Apple TV makes subtitles appear in more circumstances to aid in their use, including when you mute audio or use the skip back feature (up to 30 seconds). See “View and Customize Subtitles.”
• Enhance Dialogue: Did this feature appear before? Newer HomePods support Enhance Dialogue now. See “Adjust Audio During Playback.”
• InSight for Apple TV: You can bring up real-time information about what you’re watching on Apple TV for Apple TV original shows, including actor details and song information. This feature, called InSight, is also available on an iPhone when you’re using it as a remote for your Apple TV. See “Get Real-Time Information with Apple TV.”
• Apple Music: You can treat the Music app on an iPhone like a jukebox, sharing access over SharePlay with those around you, when you use an Apple TV (or other devices) as your AirPlay destination. See “Use SharePlay in Music with an In-Person Group.”
• FaceTime for tvOS: The FaceTime app received a few different improvements. The app can now show Live Captions in English with some provisos; see “Make Calls with FaceTime on Apple TV.” You set an iPhone as the designed Continuity Camera, reducing setup time; see “Choose a User for Continuity Camera.” With new ultra wide-screen support for 21:9 and other ratios, FaceTime for Apple TV can use the entire wider display.

Some additions to this update not related to operating system improvements include:

• Apple Account, not ID: Since the previous edition, Apple changed the name of its ecosystem account from “Apple ID” to “Apple Account.” That was updated in tvOS 18 and has been revised everywhere in this book.
• Game Center restrictions: This edition adds information about restrictions that can be set for games linked via Apple’s Game Center. See “Restrict Content.”
• Restart your Siri Remote: I have added instructions on restarting your Siri Remote when it stops responding or its infrared system stops working. See “How To Restart Your Siri Remote.”