tvOS 26 Liquid Glass Redesign Excludes Older Apple TV Models

[MacRumors]

Apple's tvOS 26 announced at WWDC requires second-generation Apple TV 4K devices and later, which means the company is excluding older hardware from the update's major visual overhaul.

The redesign centers on Liquid Glass, a new translucent material using real-time rendering to reflect and refract surroundings. It replaces tvOS's previous interface elements across system controls, the Apple TV app, and navigation components.

Liquid Glass transforms how content appears during playback, keeping videos front and center while accessing controls for fast-forwarding, sleep timers, or Control Center scenes. The Apple TV app receives new cinematic poster art incorporating the Liquid Glass aesthetic, displaying more shows and movies for enhanced discovery.

The material dynamically adapts to content and context, creating specular highlights that respond to user interactions. Apple is implying that the technology requires the processing capabilities found in Apple TV 4K 2nd generation and later models.

Other tvOS 26 features coming to Apple TV models going back to the Apple TV HD include improved FaceTime with Contact Posters, and streamlined profile switching. Enhanced Apple Music Sing with iPhone microphone support requires an Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) and an iPhone 11 or newer.

The tvOS 26 update enters developer beta today with public release this fall. It's the first major tvOS redesign to have specific hardware requirements that exclude older Apple TV models.

Article Link: tvOS 26 Liquid Glass Redesign Excludes Older Apple TV Models

 

[Innovati0n]

Makes sense to me, those older boxes lag a lot on the UI as it is.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I really couldn't tell any difference in the presentation. There was a bit of transparency, and that was it.

....so, I wouldn't bother upgrading for this.

Makes sense to me, those older boxes lag a lot on the UI as it is.

My first gen 4k doesn't lag, but I do remember the HD being pretty slow.

 

[Dulcimer]

Thanks but no thanks. I’ll stick with my older TV box to avoid Liquid Ass

 

[Mactech20]

I am not surprised they dropped the HD, as it was supper laggy. I am using a 4K 1st gen though and it works just fine. Kinda a bummer.

Edit: Guess only the glass UI is excluded but the Tvs will get os26. Cool

 

[bigchrisfgb]

Surely this points to an upcoming new model?

 

[sully54]

With this in mind, is it just me or has the Apple TV HD been pulled for purchase from Apple’s website?

 

[oldmacs]

Good the HD continues on! Probably better off without the new design anyway by the looks.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

I'm so disappointed in the TVOS "updates". They still stagnate what I think is there best OS and it's sad. You can do a lot with Apple TV, yet Apple feels like they ignore it. It just seems like I hope every year for something new and every year is a missed opportunity.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I am not surprised they dropped the HD, as it was supper laggy. I am using a 4K 1st gen though and it works just fine. Kinda a bummer.

Good catch

It was rumored that the HD would continue on with latest OS support.

That might have been a sneaky way to flesh out a leaker there.

 

[nrose101]

I hope they kept the My Computer icon

 

[oldmacs]

Good catch

It was rumored that the HD would continue on with latest OS support.

That might have been a sneaky way to flesh out a leaker there.

Isn’t the HD still compatible?

 

[McKodiak]

Can I configure tvOS to force a profile selection prompt upon waking?

 

[mrj101]

Are they finally going to remove the iTunes app?

 

[iSmoggie]

This might be an unpopular opinion but I think the refraction of the glass UI looks quite distracting. If I’m scrubbing through video I’d prefer the minimalist UI there is now.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Isn’t the HD still compatible?

Oh, I'm not sure -- I was replying to someone who said otherwise.
I don't actually know.

 

[Moriakum]

C´mon the 4K 1st Gen still works great! You're telling me it can´t handle the Liquid Glass?

 

[hagjohn]

All I want is the remote not to skip 2 places.

 

[JustinKent]

Please give me new hardware to update to this September, when I finally upgrade my Apple TV HD.

 

[StellarVixen]

Personal opinion of course, out of all glass implementations I saw today, tvOS has the best.

 

[flexwithmarius]

Can I configure tvOS to force a profile selection prompt upon waking?

No, but you can make a Shortcut that can wake Apple TV and automatically switch to a certain profile.

 

[dumastudetto]

C´mon the 4K 1st Gen still works great! You're telling me it can´t handle the Liquid Glass?

It can't. Apple have told you this.

 

[turbineseaplane]

C´mon the 4K 1st Gen still works great! You're telling me it can´t handle the Liquid Glass?

This is great news!

I still use a 4K 1st gen!

 

[sjsharksfan12]

Before someone asks what changes should Apple Make to TVOS, I do have a few ideas:

1. Seperate the Apple TV app with the Itunes App. All the streaming apps focus on their streaming shows and stuff. Apple TV+ should do the same. Then with an Itunes app, you can have the store, the Watchlist, and incorporate everything into your watchlist and try to convince Netflix to be included

2. Shrink the size of the apps so you can fit more on the top shelf. I love the top shelf and getting previews above of what they offer. Make use of that better.

3. Selfishly, make Apple Music work with Last.fm (Maybe a Last.fm app) so I can listen to Apple Music on the TV and it will count those stats in Last.fm like it does on the phone

4. Make an app multiview, so when there are sports on Peacock, Netflix, Youtube TV, and ESPN at the same time that I want to watch, it streamlines the experience

5. Fix Apple Intelligence for TV and what I want to watch. Give me recommendations based on my watch history on apps and list things that might be interesting on all the apps together. I have a hard time finding something to watch. I should use AI to stream line that decision making process and narrow down my choices.

I'm sure there are others, but basically, we have had TVOS for over 10 years and it's the same thing every year. Bring it into the future. Incorporate it with your other OS's, like vision or IOS. Give TVOS some love because today I'm really thinking about leaving it behind and seeing what other options offer.

 

[svish]

Maybe a new model is coming soon. However it is good to see that at least the 2nd gen model is getting the update.