Apple Releases tvOS 16.6

Monday July 24, 2023 10:08 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today released tvOS 16.6, the sixth notable update to the tvOS 16 operating system that initially came out last September. Available for the Apple TV 4K and the ‌Apple TV‌ HD, tvOS 16.6 comes over a month after the launch of tvOS 16.5.

apple tv halloween
tvOS 16.6 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌ by going to System > Software Update. If you have automatic software updates turned on, you will be upgraded to tvOS 16.6 automatically.

There were no new tvOS 16 features discovered in the tvOS 16.6 update during the beta testing process, and it appears to focus on bug fixes and security improvements much like iOS 16.6, watchOS 9.6, and macOS Ventura 13.5. A HomePod software version 16.6 has also been released.

Apple's notes for the tvOS 16.6 update can be found in the tvOS support document.

Related Roundup: Apple TV

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

Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

Popular Stories

New Apple TV 4K Leaked

Friday September 25, 2026 8:16 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris has uncovered an image file from Apple for an unreleased Apple TV 4K, suggesting that a new model will finally be released soon. The image is specifically for an "Apple TV 4K (4th generation)" model. Apple TV 4K (4th generation) image (on a gradient) The image reveals that the Apple TV will have the same external design as the current model, with all of its...

• 192 comments

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....

• 113 comments

HomePod minis Apple TV and iPad mini Leak Feature

iPad Mini With A20 Pro, New HomePod Mini Colors, and New Apple TV 4K All Just Leaked

Friday September 25, 2026 8:18 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

The next iPad mini, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K models have all leaked, just a few weeks before the devices are expected to be announced. Specifically, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered a few of Apple's official images of the devices, confirming their existence and some new features that are planned. The most notable iPad mini details revealed in today's leak include an A20 Pro ...

• 77 comments

Top Rated Comments

benoit79

42 months ago

At one point I was wondering if they were getting fried just to clear out old inventory. Stupid, I know, but how many dangerous updates did we have for them? Was it 2?

Apple hasn't release one single good update for the HomePods since September 2022. So 16.6 is the seventh update with which I have issues. The last time my HomePods were working was on OS 15.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Will Co

42 months ago

I've had the same issues. I've also tried to add a pair of home pod minis and had no luck at all.

Sadly, no apparent improvement. Even after upgrading tvOS is still getting HDMI-CEC wrong. There might be a slight improvement in that ATV now seems to be waking up more reliably. But overall still ropey.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

sos47

42 months ago

i’ve disabled tvos updates on my 2017 4k atv because everything runs 100,000% perfect. i dont want to risk getting any issues. tvos updates are always very minor in the past (for me).

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Burger Thing

42 months ago

I hope it will fix some bugs related to Thread connectivity in Homekit. Whenever my Apple TV is the controlling hub for my Home, all accessories which I have recently updated to Matter and are connected via Thread (Eve Motion sensors, Nanoleaf Light Strip, Power Switch), will fail to respond eventually. When a Homepod is the controlling Hub, there are no issues. Homekit is still a pain.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Will Co

42 months ago

About the time of the previous tvOS release, 16.5, HDMI-CEC stopped working on my home theatre setup and I'm convinced it's the Apple TV. Take that out of the circuit and all is well. With it in circuit, the AVR sometimes doesn't wake up with everything else, sometimes it's Atmos capability isn't recognised. Also sometimes ATV doesn't wake from standby with the TV. Perfectly fine before. Hopefully this bug fix clears the problem. Nothing about it in the support document, though.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

TigerNike23

42 months ago

Installed on 2 2017 4Ks and one HD model. No changes here.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Read All Comments

Apple Releases tvOS 16.6

Popular Stories

New Apple TV 4K Leaked

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

iPad Mini With A20 Pro, New HomePod Mini Colors, and New Apple TV 4K All Just Leaked

Top Rated Comments

Next Article

Videos

Guides

Upcoming

Other Stories

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors