Apple TV

Stay up-to-date on the latest Apple TV news and learn how to get the most out of your device with our comprehensive tutorials and guides. Discover new features, troubleshoot issues, and explore the best apps and games for your Apple TV.

tvOS 10 tidbit: download prompt for companion apps for your Bluetooth accessories

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 22, 2016

In addition to helping you manage your HomeKit accessories remotely through the fourth-generation Apple TV, tvOS 10 beta also packs in expanded support for a wider variety of Bluetooth accessories. It's interesting that after connecting an accessory to the Apple TV, tvOS 10 puts up a prompt offering a user to download a companion App Store app.

The same hardware accessories download prompt first appeared on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch following the iOS 3 software update back in September 2009, but this is the first time we've seen it implemented on tvOS.

Apple TV’s universal search expands to nine new video channels

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 21, 2016

After adding support for video content from Bravo, E!, Syfy and USA channels ten days ago, tvOS's universal search feature was refreshed earlier today with official support for nine additional channels. The full up-to-date list of universal search providers can be found in Apple's support document.

Apple TV games are no longer required to support Siri Remote

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 14, 2016

Apple has dropped the requirement for tvOS games to use the Siri Remote, according to a refreshed version of the official Game Controller Programming Guide. With this change in place, games for the fourth-generation Apple TV are now permitted to require a 'Made for iOS' (MFi) controller without needing to also support the Siri Remote.

tvOS 10 releasing this fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 13, 2016

Today is a big day for Apple fans from around the world as the Cupertino firm telegraphed some interesting changes coming to its software platforms, among them tvOS, the operating system that powers the fourth-generation Apple TV. tvOS 10 is available now as a developer-only preview and everyone else will be permitted to install it on their set-top box this coming fall, said Apple.

tvOS 10 announced with dark mode, Single Sign-On, universal search improvements and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 3, 2017

In addition to iOS 10 and watch OS 3, Apple also unveiled tvOS 10 with an all-new Remote app during the WWDC 2016 keynote at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Here are some of the things you're going to like in tvOS 10.

Apple announces new Remote app with Siri, game controller and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

You wanted a new Remote app for iOS? You got it. At its WWDC keynote today, Apple introduced a completely rebuilt app for controlling your Apple TV. It has essentially the same features as the physical Siri remote that comes with the fourth generation ATV.

Apple TV universal search adds support for content from Bravo, E!, Syfy and USA channels

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 10, 2016

Two weeks after NBCUniversal’s Bravo, Syfy and E! apps launched on the fourth-generation Apple TV, content from these channels is now available through the device's universal search feature.

In addition, the Apple TV now also surfaces videos from the USA channel when using tvOS's text or Siri voice search, said MacRumors.

How to control Apple TV from your iPhone’s Lock screen with CiderTV widget

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

CiderTV, a software-based alternative for your Apple TV Remote, includes a built-in keyboard and has the ability to control linked Smart TV volume. As of recently, the app comes with a handy widget that makes it possible to control most of the functions of your Apple TV right from the Notification Center. It will save you a lot of time, here's how to get started with CiderTV and set up the widget.

Get ready for WWDC 2016 with official Apple TV app

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 3, 2016

Just ahead of WWDC 2016, which kicks of with a keynote presentation on Monday, June 13, at 10am, Apple issues a timely refresh to its official WWDC app for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

The refreshed app has an all-new dark interface and now runs on the fourth-generation Apple TV so you can watch WWDC action from the comfort of your couch.

Yahoo Sports, now playing on your Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 3, 2016

Yahoo on Friday launched its Sports app for the fourth-generation Apple TV, bringing its highly popular sports property to the big screen, for free. A bonus for those who’ve cut the cord, Yahoo Sports for Apple TV brings a highly personalized experience to viewers, including news, highlights and live games.

App Stores and other iCloud services are currently down for some people

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 2, 2016

If you needed another proof that Apple is not very good at online services, here's one: the App Store, the Mac App Store and various other online services are currently down, according to a notice on Apple's System Status webpage.

Other iCloud services were affected at the time of this writing and have been inaccessible to an unknown portion of Apple's user base, including the Apple TV, iTunes in the Cloud and Volume Purchase Program.

UPDATE: The outage is more widespread than originally thought, with iCloud Drive, iCloud Backup, Mail Drop, iWork for iCloud, Photos, iCloud Web Apps and iCloud Storage Upgrades all having been affected as well.

Relax with Alto’s Adventure’s new Zen Mode

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 2, 2016

Alto's Adventure from developer Snowman, the popular endless snowboarding odyssey set in the tranquil wilderness, was updated this morning on the App Store with all-new Zen and Photo modes and other perks.

Zen Mode, a new way to enjoy the game, is a dedicated experience that helps you unwind “for all those times when catching llamas and chasing high scores isn’t high on the agenda”.