How to download tvOS 26 public beta on your Apple TV 4K
There's also a new karaoke feature called Apple Sing (which lets you use your iPhone as a microphone in conjunction with Apple Music), as well as support for alternative AirPlay speakers (a huge win for users who don't want to rely solely on their HomePods).
Although tvOS 26 officially launches in September, now's your chance to try out all the major upgrades for yourself months in advance. Read on below to see how to get it.
Liquid Glass and Apple Music Sing are just a few of the new additions that immediately enhance the Apple TV experience. That said, beta software is often buggy.
You're right to be wary before downloading a public beta, but Apple's public betas are typically safe. Remember: You can always wait until September for the official release of tvOS 26.
To get the new software, you'll need to be enrolled in Apple's beta program, located at beta.apple.com. You'll have to sign up using the Apple ID that's associated with your device, and once you're enrolled, you'll have access to the beta.
Note that tvOS 26 is only supported on the Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K, and the new Liquid Glass redesign will only be supported on second-gen Apple TV 4K models. Here's a step-by-step guide on downloading the tvOS 26 beta.
Before you can upgrade to the new software, you'll first need to sign up for Apple's beta program. Head to beta.apple.com and sign up using the Apple ID associated with your device. You can even enroll directly on you Apple TV.
Once you're enrolled in Apple's beta program, click on the Settings app located on the home screen. Make sure you're connected to the internet before proceeding..
Navigate to the System tab and enter. This should be located at the bottom of the settings menu, between Network and Sleep Now.
Scroll until you find Software Updates, which should be located under the Maintenance subhead.
In the Software Updates page, click on Get Beta Updates. This will prompt a message asking if you'd like to proceed. You can choose from tvOS 26 or tvOS 18. Select tvOS 26.
After selecting tvOS 26, you will be asked to download and install the update on your device, or to update later. The download and install process can take a little while (depending on your connection), but once it's done, your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD will be on tvOS 26.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Here's what Tim Cook thinks about AI replacing the iPhone
Apple CEO Tim Cook waved off concerns about advanced AI replacing the iPhone. Speaking on Thursday's earnings call, Cook said, "It's difficult to see a world" without iPhones. Apple has been slow to release AI features, leaving analysts mixed on its competitive edge. Apple CEO Tim Cook appears unfazed by concerns that advancements in AI could topple the iPhone's dominance. During Thursday's earnings call, Wamsi Moen, an analyst with Bank of America, asked Cook directly how Apple is preparing for a world where dependence on screen-based devices "significantly diminishes," thanks to advances in AI. Cook didn't seem to see an imminent threat to Apple's hero product. "When you when you think about all the things an iPhone can do, from connecting people to bringing app and game experiences to life, to taking photos and videos, to helping users explore the world and conduct their financial lives and pay for things and so much more, you know, it's difficult to see a world where iPhone's not living in it," Cook said. "And that doesn't mean that we are not thinking about other things as well," Cook added, "but I think that the devices are likely to be complementary devices, not substitution." While Cook didn't appear worried about advances in AI disrupting the tech giant's business, Apple has been slow to release new Apple Intelligence features, leaving analysts with mixed opinions about its competitive edge. EMARKETER analyst Jacob Bourne told Business Insider that, "while the AI arms race may pressure Apple toward bolder moves, including potential acquisitions, its disciplined approach to product quality over speed should help it maintain a competitive advantage in the premium market over the long haul, provided it makes the necessary R&D investments in AI." Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a research note after the call that the company's revenue beat was "a major step in the right direction," adding that "now it's time to address the elephant in the AI strategy, which remains absent while the rest of the tech world is laser focused on the AI Revolution at warp speed." Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
‘Only a Monopoly Can Pull That Off': Billionaire Grant Cardone Calls Apple's 30% App Store Fee 'Insane'
Grant Cardone, a prominent real estate investor, entrepreneur, and business educator, has publicly questioned the legitimacy of Apple's (AAPL) long-standing 30% commission on in-app purchases, describing it as 'insane' and suggesting it is only possible for companies with monopolistic power. 'The fact Apple charges developers 30% on in-app purchases is insane. No company should be able to make 30% of gross fees charged,' Cardone wrote on X in July. He continued, 'There's no justification for it & it cost the end user. Only a monopoly can pull that off.' More News from Barchart Morgan Stanley Says Nvidia Has 'Exceptional' Strength. Should You Buy NVDA Stock Here? Dear MicroStrategy Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for July 31 2 Growth Stocks Wall Street Predicts Will Soar 74% to 159% Markets move fast. Keep up by reading our FREE midday Barchart Brief newsletter for exclusive charts, analysis, and headlines. Cardone's perspective is based on his extensive experience as both an entrepreneur and outspoken advocate for small businesses. Having built a multi-billion-dollar real estate portfolio and a portfolio of media and education businesses, Cardone frequently touts competitive openness and strategies to empower individuals and organizations in markets often dominated by major players. His business philosophy revolves around challenging industry norms and questioning practices that disadvantage smaller participants, as reflected in his criticism of Apple's fee structure. For more than a decade, Apple enforced a 30% commission on all revenue generated through in-app purchases on its App Store, a model that became a significant source of revenue for the company and an industry benchmark. Apple defended the fee as necessary to support platform maintenance, security, and distribution, yet many developers and business leaders argued it stifled competition, limited consumer choice, and cut deeply into the already narrow margins of app makers. Notably, Cardone's assertion that 'only a monopoly can pull that off' resonates with findings from recent regulatory battles. Criticism of Apple's approach has not only come from business figures like Cardone, but also from regulators in the United States and Europe. These authorities have found Apple's rules in violation of antitrust standards and, in some regions, forced the company to reduce its fee or permit alternative payment methods. A recent landmark federal court decision concluded that Apple must allow app developers to direct users to alternative payment systems outside of Apple's commission structure. The court criticized Apple's persistent efforts to shield its revenue even after initial legal interventions, highlighting how integral the fee had become to Apple's business model and how resistant the company was to outside scrutiny. The wide-reaching implications of these decisions support Cardone's view that such a sizable fee is unsustainable in a truly competitive environment. From a market dynamics perspective, Cardone's comments tie into ongoing concerns about digital platforms' gatekeeping power, and the negative impacts on both developers and consumers. As the global app economy evolves and as regulators increase pressure, Apple's decades-old commission policy is being dismantled. The shift is likely to encourage more competition, lower costs for developers, and potentially better pricing or innovation for end users — all outcomes Cardone has championed throughout his business career. In essence, Cardone's critique speaks to larger questions of what constitutes fair play in modern digital marketplaces and who ultimately bears the cost of entrenched market power. In that regard, his voice underscores a movement pushing for greater accountability and opportunity across the technology sector. On the date of publication, Caleb Naysmith did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tim Cook is in a shopping mood
Apple could acquire companies to boost its growth, says CEO Tim Cook. Acquisitions are rare for Apple, and its largest deal was in 2014. Apple's acquisitions are smaller compared to Big Tech's AI and cloud investments. Apple is ready for some retail therapy. In a rare move, Apple CEO Tim Cook indicated interest in corporate acquisitions. "We're very open to M&A that accelerates our road map," Cook said on Thursday's earnings call, referring to mergers and acquisitions. "We are not stuck on a certain size company, although the ones that we have acquired thus far this year are small in nature." The CEO added, "We basically ask ourselves whether a company can help us accelerate a road map. If they do, then we're interested." Apple rarely splurges on big acquisitions. Its largest buy was Beats Electronics for $3 billion in 2014, which it used as a starting point to develop Apple Music. In the last few years, the company has bought smaller global fintech, augmented reality, and AI startups. On Thursday's call, Cook said Apple has bought seven companies this year from "all walks of life" and was doing a deal once every few weeks. In May, Apple bought video game studio RAC7 for an undisclosed amount. Still, Apple's recent eight- to nine-figure deals are small compared with those of its Big Tech counterparts, who have been spending big to stay competitive in the AI and cloud race. In March, Google finalized a $32 billion acquisition of the cloud security startup Wiz. In May, OpenAI said that it was acquiring iPhone designer Jony Ive's AI devices startup io for about $6.4 billion. In June, Meta paid $14.3 billion for a 49% stake in data labelling startup Scale AI. More acquisitions could be the iPhone maker's way of playing catch-up in the AI supremacy race that engulfed Big Tech. Last year, Apple unveiled its Apple Intelligence AI platform. But this year, at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference, Craig Federighi, a senior vice president of software engineering, said Apple's work on Siri needed "more time." On Thursday, Apple delivered record third-quarter revenue of $94 billion compared to Wall Street's estimates of $89.3 billion. It also beat on earnings per share, a key profitability measure, which came in at $1.57 compared to the estimated $1.43. The company's stock was up 2.4% after hours on Thursday. Apple is down 17% so far this year because of its failure to release innovative AI products and concerns that tariffs will hurt iPhone sales. Read the original article on Business Insider Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
