What's New in tvOS 16 for Apple TV: Features and Enhancements

While the Apple TV was an afterthought during the WWDC 2022 keynote, there is indeed a new tvOS 16 update for all Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models, with the first beta released to developers for testing yesterday. Below, we've rounded up several new features and enhancements coming in the software update.

apple tv 4k design triad
An overview of new tvOS 16 features for Apple TV:

  • Cross-device connectivity: Apple says tvOS 16 enables developers to integrate their Apple TV app with their iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch apps to unlock new experiences that "feel more personal than ever." For example, developers can deliver more personalized workouts on the Apple TV based on motion sensor data from the Apple Watch, display real-time information on the iPhone while a video plays in their Apple TV app, or include more screens for gameplay.
  • Expanded game controller support: Apple says many additional Bluetooth game controllers are supported on tvOS 16. Notably, this includes support for Nintendo's Joy-Cons and Pro Controller.
  • HDR10+ support has been added to the Apple TV app (Update: Apple has since removed all mentions of this feature on its website, suggesting that this feature might have been abandoned or postponed).
  • Multiuser improvements: tvOS 16 offers improved system integration for user profiles in Apple TV apps. Apple says with credentials stored in a shared keychain, users won't need to sign in and choose their profile every time they launch an Apple TV app that has been updated with this functionality.
  • Matter support: Matter is a new standard that will enable compatible smart home accessories to work together seamlessly across multiple platforms, including Apple's HomeKit, Amazon's Alexa, and more. A home hub is needed to control Matter accessories in the Home app, which can be an Apple TV updated to tvOS 16 or a HomePod/HomePod mini updated to the latest software version.

Apple said the first public beta of tvOS 16 will be released in July, and the software update will be released to all users in the fall. It's likely that additional tvOS 16 features will be uncovered as beta testing continues over the next few months.

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

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

10 Products Still Coming From Apple in 2025

Friday April 11, 2025 4:14 pm PDT by
Apple may have updated several iPads and Macs late last year and early this year, but there are still multiple new devices that we're looking forward to seeing in 2025. Most will come in September or October, but there could be a few surprises before then. We've rounded up a list of everything that we're still waiting to see from Apple in 2025. iPhone 17, 17 Air, and 17 Pro - We get...
iPad Pro iPadOS

iPadOS 19 Will Be 'More Like macOS' in Three Ways

Sunday April 13, 2025 6:43 am PDT by
A common complaint about the iPad Pro is that the iPadOS software platform fails to fully take advantage of the device's powerful hardware. That could soon change. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said that iPadOS 19 will be "more like macOS." Gurman said that iPadOS 19 will be "more like a Mac" in three ways:Improved productivity Improved multitasking Improved app window management...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Foldable iPhone Resolutions Leak With Under-Screen Camera Tipped

Monday April 14, 2025 3:12 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone (or "iPhone Fold") will feature two screens as part of its book-style design, and a Chinese leaker claims to know the resolutions for both of them. According to the Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station, the inner display, which is approximately 7.76 inches, will use a 2,713 x 1,920 resolution and feature "under-screen camera technology." Meanwhile, the...
M6 MacBook Pro Feature 1

Waiting for the Perfect MacBook Pro? 2026 Might Be the Year

Thursday April 10, 2025 4:19 am PDT by
Apple in October 2024 overhauled its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end models, display changes, and more. That's quite a lot of updates in one go, but if you think this means a further major refresh for the MacBook Pro is now several years away, think again. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said he expects only a small...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: New iOS 19, iPhone 17, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 Leaks

Friday April 11, 2025 7:13 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we catch up on the latest iOS 19 and watchOS 12 rumors, upcoming devices, and more. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Detailed new renders from leaker Jon Prosser claim to provide the best look yet at the complete redesign rumored to arrive in iOS 19, showing more rounded elements, lighting effects, translucency, and...
Apple Vision Pro with battery Feature Blue Magenta

Vision Pro 2 Rumored to Have Two Key Advantages Over Current Model

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:15 am PDT by
Apple is working on a new version of the Vision Pro with two key advantages over the current model, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Specifically, in his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple is developing a new headset that is both lighter and less expensive than the current Vision Pro, which starts at $3,499 in the U.S. and weighs up to 1.5 pounds. Gurman said Apple is also...
top stories 2025 04 12

Top Stories: iOS 19 and iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, Siri Revamp Turmoil, and More

Saturday April 12, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
It was a big week for leaks and rumors in the Apple world, with fresh claims about iOS 19, the iPhone 17 Pro, and even the 20th anniversary iPhone coming a couple of years from now. Sources also spilled the tea on the inner turmoil at Apple around the Apple Intelligence-driven Siri revamp that has seen significant delays, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! iOS ...
iPhone 16e Feature

iPhones, Macs, and Other Apple Devices Exempted From Trump Tariffs

Saturday April 12, 2025 9:44 am PDT by
Apple and other electronics manufacturers have received a break from Trump's reciprocal tariffs, with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency sharing a long list of products excluded from the levies last night. iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watch, and other Apple devices will not be subject to the 125 percent tariffs that have been put in place on imported Chinese goods, nor will Apple...

Top Rated Comments

HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
37 months ago
HDR10+ is a biggie. Some televisions (all Samsung TVs for example) do not embrace Dolby Vision and HDR10 IS the alternative.

Anyone know if the new Continuity Camera ('https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-13-ventura-lets-you-use-your-iphones-camera-as-a-webcam.2346934/') is available in tvOS 16? It seems like a natural since so many seem to want an easy way to FaceTime on the main TV. It's wireless and works with a simple, universal clip (by Belkin) with any monitor... so why not buy 2 clips and put one of them on the big TV? It seems like a big (niche) opportunity that perfectly fits all AppleTV setups (whether tucked behind the TV or off to the side or in a cabinet, etc where a built-in camera would not work well at all).

When Apple announced it, I actually thought of using it THIS way FIRST... even above the demoed use of making any computer monitor work with FaceTime. If any monitor, why not a TV "monitor?" Seems like a natural for AppleTV to me.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
37 months ago

Pretty weak, Apple. Have they just given up on this device now that most smart TV’s offer the Apple TV+ App?
Many people don't want their "Smart" TV having a direct connection to the internet.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Juicy Box Avatar
37 months ago

Just out of genuine curiosity, since I hardly use my Apple TV, what more could you want?

This is where I am at, not sure what people are looking for, the only thing I could think of is maybe more homekit stuff...
I posted this on another thread:

Home automation
Adding a Safari Browser
Announcing bigger commitment to gaming
Bundled Apple Controller
Landscape FaceTime
FaceTime integration with an iPhone or other Apple device, or add-on camera
Announce larger storage options
Easy connection to Hotels' Wifi feature (a web browser would work as well if there was one)
Choose what Aerials are shown
Allow for instant downloads of chosen Aerials
Better storage management and being able to see what the static storage space is taken
VPN support

Other people responded with some of their own, such as audio passthrough, a section showing apps that need to be updated, like iOS has for people that do not update automatically, and some others that I cannot remember at the moment.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gator5000e Avatar
37 months ago
I use my Apple TV to well, watch TV. It does a great job of that for me. The picture quality is great on my 4K TV and the sound is also via my 5.0 receiver set up. HDR10+ will be a nice addition even though I think Dolby Vision is more widespread. I would like to see Apple add a Sports central section where you can see live scores and live games and maybe even standings and sports headlines the such in one place. They are doing it in iOS 16 to some degree. Maybe it wills how up on the ATV.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mogga71 Avatar
37 months ago

Sounds like you are good. AppleTV supports 24bit/48khz.

https://www.whathifi.com/us/advice/high-resolution-audio-everything-you-need-to-know


I guess you could hope for some even higher res, but that seems arbitrary.
If you use your AppleTV as your main video playing device (using Plex or the even better Infuse app probably) then what we want most of all is for the AppleTV to play Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA :

Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA are lossless audio formats that provide greater depth and dynamic range when compared to normal Dolby (AC3) and DTS audio.

Apple only supports the AC3 compressed variants. There is a big difference in sound quality between the 2 ... trust me. Its basically the difference between playing an Atmos Bluray and its Apple streaming variant (Eg. Lord Of The Rings). The 4k picture quality is very close indeed ... its the Atmos soundtracks that make the difference. However, the size of these can be really large and is probably the reason they are not supported on AppleTV or most of the streaming boxes.

Firecore ... the makers of Infuse have been trying to get Apple to include the uncompressed versions for.a while now.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThisBougieLife Avatar
37 months ago
Wish the Apple TV would support hi-res audio, but I guess that will require new hardware.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)