The latest major Apple TV 4K software version, tvOS 26, arrived last month. Here are the new tvOS 26 features I’ve been loving most.
### New Aerial Screen Savers
If you don’t own an Apple TV, screen savers may seem like a relatively minor feature. But ever since tvOS first debuted in 2015, Apple’s aerial screen savers have been among the platform’s surprise strengths. In tvOS 26, Apple has added a lineup of gorgeous new aerials that were captured across India.
There’s a little bit of everything, including landscapes featuring water, mountains, beaches, tree-covered fields, and more. Competing streaming boxes and smart TVs are increasingly using screen savers as an opportunity for ads, which makes me appreciate the Apple TV 4K’s aerials more than ever.
### Liquid Glass Design
Apple’s new Liquid Glass design extends across all its software platforms, including tvOS 26. Liquid Glass certainly isn’t as prominent on Apple TV as it is on iPhone, but there are several beautiful, glassy elements in areas like the video playback controls, Control Center, and revised app icons.
Despite not being as big a change as on iOS, Liquid Glass still feels like an especially good fit for Apple TV 4K. Nobody wants video content overly obstructed by controls that are too big or opaque.
### Profile Selection at Startup
Profiles have existed in tvOS for years, and in theory, they’re a handy feature. Like similar systems inside popular streaming apps such as Netflix and Disney+, profiles let you keep different watchlists and viewing history for different people in your household.
My wife and I mostly watch TV together, but for those times when we have our own individual shows, profiles keep the queue uncluttered. Aside from limited third-party app integration, however, my biggest issue with profiles has been remembering to manually switch between them.
In tvOS 26 though, Apple makes it easy. Now, the profile selection screen appears right when the Apple TV starts up. Thus, there’s no need to remember to switch to the right profile manually since you’ll be prompted to choose a profile from the get-go.
And if you only ever want to use a single profile, you can disable the profile startup screen inside Settings.
### Apple TV App Redesign
Apple’s TV app is where I go for the vast majority of my streaming. Though it still doesn’t support Netflix content, I frequent the TV app for its unified watchlist that works for every other streaming service I regularly watch.
tvOS 26 introduces a refreshed design for the TV app with a few key changes:
– Cinematic poster art for titles
– More content displayed on-screen at once
– Smaller UI updates to Top 10 lists, watchlist titles, and more
None of this amounts to a drastic overhaul for the TV app, but I’ve been enjoying the visual refresh and hope Apple continues iterating regularly now that the Apple TV streaming service is finding newfound success.
### Disabling Unwanted Screen Savers
Most of the screen savers in tvOS are beautiful and evoke awe when they come on-screen. But some—particularly in the Underwater category—can be a little unsettling on a giant 4K TV screen.
That’s why I’m very pleased that tvOS 26 added a new setting to disable unwanted screen savers. Previously, you could disable an entire category, but not individual screensavers.
Now, however, inside the Screen Saver menu in Settings, opening ‘Aerials’ provides a new option: ‘Choose Aerials.’ Sorry jellyfish—it’s not you, it’s me.
### tvOS 26 Features: All the Rest
tvOS 26 does offer a handful of other new features worth checking out. Though I haven’t personally used these features yet, the update added:
– Support for using your iPhone as a karaoke mic for Apple Music Sing
– The ability to set AirPlay speakers as the default audio output
– Upgrades to FaceTime that may signal new Apple TV hardware adding a camera
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Which new tvOS 26 features have been your favorites so far? Let us know in the comments!
**Best Apple TV 4K accessories**
https://9to5mac.com/2025/10/23/here-are-tvos-26s-new-apple-tv-4k-features-ive-been-loving-most/