tvOS 18 is now available. Here's why (and how) you should upgrade

Announced for early 2024 and available now, tvOS 18 for Apple TV includes some fun and convenient features that all Apple TV owners should check out—especially if you're subscribed to Apple TV+ or Apple Fitness+.

The new tvOS 18 is compatible with every Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD model, but some features are limited to the Apple TV 4K.

The latest update to Apple's TV-focused software brings a number of improvements, starting with InSight, a feature that lets you see detailed information about actors, characters, and music from every live-action Apple TV+ movie and show onscreen in real time. Amazon Prime Video users will be familiar with the idea—it's a lot like Amazon's X-Ray feature.

The software also features a new version of the Enhance Dialogue feature, which uses machine learning and computational audio to provide greater vocal clarity, according to Apple. Subtitles are also smarter and more responsive, appearing automatically at the moment they're most useful, like when you mute or skip back while watching, or when the language of a show or movie doesn't match the language setting on your Apple TV.

Screensavers like the Aerial Photo Collection are a popular feature on Apple TV, and tvOS 18 introduces a new type called “Portraits.” Unfortunately, this is one of the features mentioned above that is only available on Apple TV 4K. In fact, it only works with Apple TV 4K Gen 2 and later models. The Portraits option lets you choose your favorite photos of people, pets, nature, or cities from your photo library and overlay them with a stylized clock.

Live Captions for FaceTime now works with Continuity Camera in tvOS 18, letting you read what others are saying during a FaceTime call on your TV. It currently works with English in the US and Canada.

Apple Fitness+ also gets a new design in tvOS 18 with personalized recommendations for workouts and meditations, a new search tool and improved awards.

Apple has gradually made the Apple TV a central hub from which you can manage and use many of the company's HomeKit home automation features. In tvOS 18, this continues with new options included in iOS 18, such as Guest Access, which gives users the ability to grant guests (with iPhones) control of locks, garage doors, and security systems. You can also schedule individual or time-based access to the home with smart locks and view a guest activity history.

While the iOS 18 update isn't Apple TV-specific, you can also give guests control over music playback from a HomePod and HomePod mini using SharePlay and Apple Music. AirPlay is also now compatible with spatial audio when streaming from an iPhone and iPad to HomePod and Dolby Atmos Music/AirPlay-compatible audio devices.

Two things Apple promised for tvOS 18 won't be ready with today's release: 21:9 support for playing movies and shows on projectors and new screensavers like Snoopy will be available later in the year. Likewise, the robot vacuum cleaner will be compatible with the Home app.

How to upgrade

If you have automatic software updates enabled, your compatible Apple TV will automatically update to tvOS 18 over the next few days. However, if you're keen to try out the new features right away, here's how:

1. On the Apple TV home screen, select Settings App.

   

2. Select from the following menu system.

   

3. Within the system choose Software updates.

   

4. Select the Update software and select Download and Install when prompted to do so.

   

   

5. The download and preparation of the software will begin – this may take up to 20 minutes.

   

6. When you are finished, you will be prompted to Update now or Update later. Choose Update now.

   

7. The software will install and your Apple TV will restart automatically. After the restart, you will likely be asked to read and accept new terms of service for iCloud and other Apple services.