Apple Releases tvOS 13.3 for Fourth and Fifth-Generation Apple TV Models

Apple today released tvOS 13.3, the second major update to the tvOS 13 operating system that runs on the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models. tvOS 13.3 comes over a month after the launch of the tvOS 13.2 update.

‌tvOS 13.3‌, which is a free update, can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌ by going to System -> Software Update. ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates turned on will be upgraded to ‌‌tvOS 13‌‌.3 automatically.

appletv4k2
tvOS 13.3 adds a useful new setting that's designed to let you change the main banner interface in the ‌Apple TV‌ app from What to Watch to Up Next, which displays content from shows that you're already watching rather than show suggestions.

The option can be accessed by going to the Settings app, choosing Apps, and selecting the TV app. From there, select Home Screen and choose "Up Next" in the "Top Shelf" section.

We didn't find any additional new features in tvOS 13.3 during the beta testing period, making it unclear what else might be included, but it likely focuses on bug fixes and performance improvements.

Details on the update will be provided through Apple's tvOS support document.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
prioritize notifications ios 18 4

Everything New in iOS 18.4 Beta 1

Friday February 21, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Apple finally released the first beta of iOS 18.4 to developers for testing purposes, and while the beta is lacking some of the Apple Intelligence features we were hoping for, there are some notable new additions. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Priority Notifications - Apple Intelligence There is a new Priority Notifications feature that can show you your most...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Denies Speculation Surrounding iPhone 16e's Lack of MagSafe

Friday February 21, 2025 8:01 am PST by
Apple has confirmed that its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e has nothing to do with the device's lack of MagSafe support, according to Macworld. Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, there was some speculation online about how MagSafe magnets might have interfered with the C1 modem's cellular connectivity performance, and this was considered to be a potential reason for the...
apple c1

Apple Unveils 'C1' as First Custom Cellular Modem

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:08 am PST by
Apple today announced its first custom cellular modem with the name "C1," debuting in the all-new iPhone 16e. The new modem contributes to the iPhone 16e's power efficiency, giving it the longest battery life of any iPhone with a 6.1-inch display, such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most...

Top Rated Comments

Truckondo Avatar
68 months ago
Here’s hoping they fixed the Dolby Vision bug with iTunes movie content.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HDFan Avatar
68 months ago

appletv app still can’t load large libraries.
So what happens? What is a "large" library?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
67 months ago

I was gifted an ATV for Christmas and am sitting on 12.4.1. Is it safe to update to 13.3 on ATV or should I stay put on 12.4.1 as I am with my iOS devices?
I'm running iOS 13.3, iPadOS 13.3, and tvOS 13.3 (and watchOS 6.1.1), and I'm reasonably happy with all of them (I had to go to iOS 13 to match up with the Apple Watch 5 when it came out). tvOS is not as tightly connected to iOS and iPadOS as they are with each other, and for quite a stretch of time, my Apple TV was several generations of OS ahead of my iPhone and iPad (when they were old hardware), without causing any particular problems.

I would recommend upgrading the ATV to tvOS 13 now (it won't cause trouble vs the other devices), and strongly consider upgrading the other devices now, or soon.

Also, congrats! The ATV is a great device. Aside from watching over-the-air broadcasts once in a long while, my TV pretty much serves as a "dumb" output device for the ATV4K. HDMI-CEC means the ATV's remote can turn everything on and off, and control volume, so I rarely touch any other remote.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jhulgan Avatar
68 months ago
That was the first thing I did after updating. I don't want to see adverts for AppleTV+ every time I turn on my television.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BWhaler Avatar
68 months ago
appletv app still can’t load large libraries. I guess Apple doesn’t care about big customers who spend a lot of money with then.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)