Apple Seeds First Beta of tvOS 9.2 to Developers

by

Apple today provided developers with the first beta of an upcoming update to tvOS, the operating system that runs on the fourth-generation Apple TV and powers its built-in App Store. Today's tvOS beta comes just over one month after the release of tvOS 9.1, the first update to tvOS since it was released in October alongside the new Apple TV.

tvOS betas are more difficult to install than beta updates for iOS and OS X. Installing the tvOS beta requires the Apple TV to be connected to a computer with a USB-C to USB-A cable, with the software downloaded and installed via iTunes.

tvos_9_2_beta_1
We don't know what's included in the new version of tvOS, but it's likely to bring expanded features, bug fixes, and performance improvements to Apple's youngest operating system.

The first tvOS update, tvOS 9.1, introduced Siri support for Apple Music, allowing the personal assistant to play content from Apple Music when requested. Siri for Apple Music on the Apple TV works similarly to Siri for Apple Music on iOS devices, enabling queries like "What was the top song in 1980?" or "Play Adele's latest single." It also brought support for the iOS and Apple Watch Remote app, which is now compatible with the new Apple TV.


What's new in tvOS 9.2:

Bluetooth keyboard support - tvOS 9.2 now supports Bluetooth keyboards, allowing a keyboard to be paired to the Apple TV for text entry. This is a major feature that was missing from previous versions of tvOS and its addition should make it much easier to do things like enter passwords.

Folders - tvOS 9.2 includes support for grouping apps in the Home screen into Folders, much like one can do on an iOS device. Folders are a bit buggy on the Home screen, but this will improve in subsequent betas.

tvos_folder

tv_os_folder_1
MapKit - tvOS 9.2 supports MapKit, allowing developers to implement maps into their tvOS apps.

Siri - Siri now includes support for US Spanish (in the US only) and French Canadian (in Canada only). UK English, Australian English, and US English are now available in the UK, Australian, and US Storefronts when English is set as the tvOS language.

App Switcher - There's a new look for the App Switcher interface in tvOS.

tvos_switcher
Podcasts - The Podcasts app is now available on the fourth-generation Apple TV.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Tag: tvOS 9.2
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Read Full Article • 88 comments
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Read Full Article
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Read Full Article • 27 comments
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
Read Full Article • 138 comments
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Read Full Article • 50 comments

Top Rated Comments

rdlink Avatar
rdlink
131 months ago
Bought a 64 GB AppleTv last week for 30 Euro less than retail price, should have waited, it's got a lot of potential but the OS still has some ways to go.
Improvements are always welcome, but I'm finding a ton of value in the ATV4. I have had every generation ATV since the first big white one. This one is already amazing, and it gets better with every update.

As more developers create apps it will get even better. Kick it in gear, Amazon.


I need the iOS remote!
Then why don't you download it?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
Rogifan
131 months ago
Bought a 64 GB AppleTv last week for 30 Euro less than retail price, should have waited, it's got a lot of potential but the OS still has some ways to go.
Should have waited for what? Don't need new hardware to get OS improvements.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Binarymix Avatar
Binarymix
131 months ago
When is the universal search API coming?

The AppleTV is kind of gimped until devs can use it.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SgtPepper23 Avatar
SgtPepper23
131 months ago
i just wish Apple would allows devs access to the storage! i can stream in HD from Netflix et all just fine, but somehow from my home network, if sharing anything, it has to buffer every few minutes...

Hyperbole much? Can really get why this was such a "horrible" experience for people.

I set up two of them, and it really wasn't bad at all. 5 minutes and done. And months of pleasurable usage since.
in my experience, it was difficult, typing up long email addresses and passwords... certainly enough to be called frustrating
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rdlink Avatar
rdlink
131 months ago
Setting this thing up before the remote app was supported and bluetooth keyboard was pretty frustrating.
Hyperbole much? Can really get why this was such a "horrible" experience for people.

I set up two of them, and it really wasn't bad at all. 5 minutes and done. And months of pleasurable usage since.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Norbs12 Avatar
Norbs12
131 months ago
Hyperbole much? Can really get why this was such a "horrible" experience for people.

I set up two of them, and it really wasn't bad at all. 5 minutes and done. And months of pleasurable usage since.
You're using quotes wrong. Never said "horrible" just frustrating.

I don't use simple/short passwords so the input method sucked. Then I was wasting time trying to get the remote app working to find out it doesn't work. After which I went for a bluetooth keyboard which also turned out not to work. Lots of time wasted on things I expected to work is frustrating.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments