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Apple tvOS 26 is here — all the biggest upgrades and changes you can try right now

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By Ryan Epps

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It’s also only available in Apple software. If you’re prone to using Netflix, Disney Plus, or Prime Video over Apple TV Plus or other Apple apps, you won’t get the benefits of the Liquid Glass interface, as these apps use their own menus.
The control center will still be in the liquid glass format, no matter which app you’re in. To display the control center, hold the home button on your remote for a short period. A small window will appear at the top right of the screen, allowing you to adjust various settings, like Wi-Fi, audio, and your sleep timer.
New device pairing

(Image credit: Future)
With tvOS 26, you can now pair wireless speakers to your Apple TV 4K using AirPlay. It’s a handy feature for those who want instant audio connectivity over using HDMI eARC with their TV.
While you could connect devices using AirPlay in the past, now some of the best soundbars can be permanently paired with your Apple streaming box. This is a huge update and quality of life improvement for users who prefer wireless audio connectivity, but it does require AirPlay support on the soundbar or speaker system in question.
However, a few limitations persist with AirPlay connectivity. The big one is no Dolby Atmos support in this pairing mode, as AirPlay audio is limited to stereo. You also only get video and audio, which means menus and even game sounds won’t work with AirPlay connectivity.
These are two serious letdowns that Apple needs to address in the near future. AirPlay also relies on Wi-Fi, so you will need a robust ecosystem for this connectivity to function properly.

(Image credit: Future)
You can now pair your Sony DualSense controller with the Apple TV 4K, which is a huge win for gamers. Unfortunately, the Apple TV 4K isn’t home to the most robust library of games, but the DualSense controller can be used not just in Arcade, but also as a remote. Even the PS button in the center pulls up the control center when pressed, which is a nice touch.
Other notable updates

(Image credit: Future)
Following the tvOS 26 update, you might notice a new App with a microphone on your home screen. Meet Apple Music Sing, a fun karaoke app that can turn your iPhone into a microphone. The app lets you use the extensive library available in Apple Music, allowing you to sing along to your favorite tracks.
It might not be for everyone, but it’s a handy addition for get-togethers, especially if you’re fond of making a fool of yourself. Music Sing even uses special AI to lower the vocals on tracks, allowing your voice to stand out as you passionately sing along to the on-screen lyrics.
What song will you karaoke to first? Mine’s “Don’t Say You Love Me” by M2M.
Apple has also upgraded other features, like Matter/Thread support, Dolby Atmos, FaceTime, and added Metal 4. For spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, Apple has added support for 9.1.6 speaker configurations. FaceTime received expanded live caption support, call notifications for the active profile, and contact posters with customized photos and names.
You can now automatically sign in to select applications, making setup and switching between profiles a total breeze. Apple’s new app login APIs make this possible by tying your Apple ID to a particular streaming platform or application. The major kicker? Very few developers have adopted it yet, so the benefits are limited at the moment.

(Image credit: Future)
Finally, Apple has also made Aerial screensavers much easier to enjoy. In tvOS 26, you can now select specific Aerials you like or deselect the ones you don’t want shown when the screensaver plays. Apple’s also added new Aerials from India.
To make these changes, go to Settings, Screensaver, then select Aerials. From here, choose Aerials, and you can select or deselect the ones you want shown in your screensaver. Deselected Aerials will show a crossed-out eye.
If you also want to hide the iTunes app, tvOS 26 now allows you to do just that. While still in the Settings tab, look for the Apps menu and click into iTunes Movies & TV Shows. Within the iTunes Movies section, select the “Hide” option and you’re all set.
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Staff Writer

Ryan Epps is a Staff Writer under the TV/AV section at Tom’s Guide focusing on TVs and projectors. When not researching PHOLEDs and writing about the next major innovation in the projector space, he’s consuming random anime from the 90’s, playing Dark Souls 3 again, or reading yet another Haruki Murakami novel.

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