Apple has unveiled a comprehensive overhaul of its Apple TV platform with tvOS 26, introducing both visual refinements and professional-grade audio capabilities that address long-standing user demands. The update, announced at WWDC 2025, represents one of the most significant upgrades to the streaming device in recent years.
Key tvOS 26 Features:
- Liquid Glass design language with 3D floating menus
- Multi-device Apple Music Sing karaoke functionality
- Audio passthrough for professional home theater systems
- Expanded Live Captions (Spanish, French, German support)
- Customizable Aerial screensaver categories
- Permanent AirPlay speaker designation
- Enhanced FaceTime with Contact Posters
Revolutionary Liquid Glass Interface Design
The centerpiece of tvOS 26 is Apple's new Liquid Glass design language, which transforms the Apple TV interface with floating three-dimensional menus and translucent UI elements. This visual overhaul extends beyond mere aesthetics, incorporating rounded edges and organic shapes that create a more immersive browsing experience. The redesign specifically showcases cinematic poster art more prominently, while streamlining essential functions like profile switching and app logins to reduce friction in accessing personalized content.
Enhanced Social Entertainment Features
Apple Music Sing receives a substantial upgrade that transforms the Apple TV into a comprehensive karaoke system. Users can now connect multiple iPhones simultaneously as microphones, enabling friends and family to participate in group singing sessions with on-screen lyrics. The feature includes real-time emoji reactions that appear directly on the television screen, creating an interactive social experience that goes beyond traditional streaming entertainment.
Professional Audio Passthrough Capability
A significant development for home theater enthusiasts comes in the form of audio passthrough functionality, though this feature requires developer implementation to reach its full potential. Currently, Apple TV processes all audio internally before outputting to connected systems, but tvOS 26 introduces the framework for raw audio data to bypass Apple's processing entirely. This change allows high-end AV receivers and audio equipment to handle sound processing directly, potentially delivering superior audio quality for users with premium home theater setups.
Technical Framework Updates:
- AVFAudio framework now includes passthrough setting
- Framework applies to tvOS, iOS, macOS, and watchOS
- Developer implementation required for full feature activation
- Raw audio data can bypass Apple's internal processing
Expanded Accessibility and Personalization Options
The update extends Live Captions to support multiple languages including Spanish, French, and German, broadening accessibility for international users. FaceTime integration receives Contact Posters for more personalized video calling experiences. Additionally, users gain granular control over the beloved Aerial screensavers, with the ability to select specific categories of landscapes and scenes for display.
Audio Output Flexibility
Apple has addressed another frequently requested feature by allowing users to designate any AirPlay-enabled speaker as the permanent default audio output for their Apple TV. This enhancement eliminates the need to repeatedly select audio destinations and provides seamless integration with existing wireless speaker systems throughout the home.
Implementation Timeline and Availability
While tvOS 26 introduces these capabilities through Apple's AVFAudio framework, the full realization of features like audio passthrough depends on individual app developers incorporating the new functionality. Apple has confirmed the passthrough capability exists within the framework, but implementation across streaming services will likely roll out gradually as developers update their applications to support the new features.