App Store on iOS Begins Identifying Apps With Universal Support for Apple TV - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

App Store on iOS Begins Identifying Apps With Universal Support for Apple TV

Apple appears to be rolling out a new feature in its App Store on iOS to note when an app available on iOS is universally compatible with the fourth generation Apple TV. As pointed out by iFun.de [Google Translate], the new feature is still in the early phases, as universal compatibility with the Apple TV is currently marked as "SF.UniversalAppleTV" rather than a simple "Apple TV" title as is used for Apple Watch just above. The new identifier is also not yet showing in the App Store when viewed through iTunes on the desktop.

pandora universal app
With the growing popularity of the App Store on Apple TV, it makes sense for Apple to want to begin connecting the iOS and tvOS experience as they did when introducing universal iPhone and iPad apps in 2010 and with the addition of the Apple Watch earlier this year. Following its launch in October, Apple began running a new advertising campaign for the Apple TV, which it continues to expand with television shows like Game of Thrones and Veep.

Apple allows developers to build universal apps that support iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV all from one purchase, so it makes sense to provide users with information on what platforms are included when they prepare to download a new app.

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

Popular Stories

tvOS 27 Feature

Apple Seeds tvOS 27 Beta 3 to Developers

Monday July 6, 2026 10:22 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the third beta of tvOS 27 to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple released the second beta. The beta can be downloaded and installed through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A free developer account is required. tvOS 27 has few new features compared to the other 27 software updates, but it does add a redesigned Podcasts app,...
General visionOS watchOS and tvOS Betas Feature Redux

Apple Releases Fourth watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6 and visionOS 26.6 Betas

Monday July 6, 2026 10:16 am PDT by
Apple today provided developers with the fourth betas of upcoming watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, and visionOS 26.6 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple seeded the third betas. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. There's no word on what's in the...
New Apple TV Logo

Apple TV Earns Record 87 Emmy Nominations for 2026, Led by 'Pluribus' and 'Widow's Bay'

Wednesday July 8, 2026 10:37 am PDT by
Apple earned its highest number of Emmy nominations to date in 2026, with popular shows like Pluribus, Margo's Got Money Troubles, Widow's Bay, Shrinking, and Slow Horses earning the most nominations. New series Widow's Bay received 19 nominations, while Pluribus was second with 18 nominations. The five most highly nominated shows are up for best series in their respective categories, and...

Top Rated Comments

machpost Avatar
139 months ago
Now if only there were a way to search for, review and/or buy Apple TV apps in iTunes.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
139 months ago
Apple is not really thinking here... And making users do needless work checking. The tag in the App Store is helpful but lousy once one buys the app. It is but one way to inform users but is not the best way...

I've written to Apple suggesting that they use the iPhone apps to advertise companion apps to those on the iPhone.

By companion I mean apps available for the iPad, Watch and the TV.

Apple should superimpose a small representative symbol on each corner of the iPhone apps:
- upper right, small square with a plus in it for iPad;
- lower right, small circle, iPhone;
- lower left, small rectangle, TV;
- upper left, reserve, or a small wallet symbol indicating Pay support.

In this way, I can see what is available when I use the app, rather than having to repeatedly check availability status in the App Store.

Additionally, there could just be a "notify when companion apps become available" toggle in the App Store configuration section of the settings app.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T5BRICK Avatar
139 months ago
So apps are going to get bigger? (MB size).
Not if developers use "App thinning" correctly.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lsatterfield Avatar
139 months ago
So apps are going to get bigger? (MB size).
They'll probably still have that app slimming feature they released an update or so ago. The app will only download what it needs for that device, as it needs it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors