tvOS 26 is getting Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language


Apple is updating tvOS alongside its other operating systems at WWDC 2025, introducing its new Liquid Glass design language, naming conventions (tvOS 26) and updated built-in apps.

The new design language adds sleek, translucent finishes to different parts of the tvOS experience, with updated app icons, glassy menus and fluid animations that respond to your clicks and swipes.

In the Apple Music app, you’ll be able to connect iPhones to use as karaoke microphones, add songs to your karaoke playlist from your device and use your iPhone to react with emoji while your friends sing. Translated versions of a song’s lyrics will be available in tvOS, too, just like in the iOS version of the app.

Screenshots of the new features coming in tvOS 26.Screenshots of the new features coming in tvOS 26.

Apple

Similar translation features are coming to the tvOS FaceTime app, with the option to view translated captions while you’re on a call. The Contact Poster-focused homepage that Apple is bringing to other versions of the FaceTime app is coming to tvOS 26, making it possible to view visual voicemail from your TV and jump into a call with a friend just by clicking on their picture.

Apple is also adding new aerial screensavers featuring footage filmed in India, and giving you the ability to choose which screensavers you want to display or hide on your TV. Your Apple TV can now also be set to launch into a profile selection screen when you turn it on, so content recommendations in tvOS are completely customized to each user.

Interestingly, Apple isn’t making its new Liquid Glass design available on all versions of the Apple TV. The company’s blog post specifically mentions that tvOS’ new look is only available on the 2nd-generation Apple TV 4K and later.

The tvOS 26 beta is available for developers to try today. A public beta of tvOS 26 will be available for everyone to use in July. The final version of tvOS 26 will be available in the fall.


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