Apple TV HD Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Article ID = 156
Article Title = Apple TV HD Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 14th August 2015
Article Last Updated = 17th September 2023
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?156

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about the Apple TV HD

Q. When is the Apple TV HD UK launch date?

A. The Apple TV HD launched in the UK on the 26th October 2015 and is still available to buy online.

Q. What's different about the Apple TV HD model versus the older models?

A. A lot! The Apple TV HD now runs an iOS like operating system called "tvOS". This allows it to have new functionality including:

Siri (remote)
Spotlight searching
an App Store
works with third party game controllers

Q. What's different about the Apple TV HD model versus the older models?

A. It's a slightly taller in size (by 1cm). Optical audio output has been removed but it now includes the following new hardware features over earlier models:

A8 processor
Dolby Digital 7.1 audio
802.11ac Wi-Fi
HDMI v1.4
New remote control with integrated Touch Surface, microphone, accelerometer, gyroscope, rechargeable battery

Q. What models are available?

A. There were two models - one with 32GB of storage and the other with 64GB. Only the 32GB version is still available to buy from Apple.

Q. What happens if I lose/break the remote control?

Q. Can you buy extra remotes e.g. for multi-player gaming?

A. Yes. They are available direct from Apple (£55 in the UK).

Q. Does the Siri remote control require a battery/charging?

A. The Siri remote has a built in battery that requires charging but it should last several months without needing to be charged. When it does need to be charged it has a lightning connector so it can easily be charged using a standard Apple USB to lightning cable and charger.

Q. Does the Apple TV HD still support AirPlay?

A. Yes.

Q. There is an Apple Music app but can I still stream music via iTunes Home Sharing?

A. Yes - Apple originally stated in the "Tech Specs" on their web site that the Apple TV HD "iTunes purchasing and renting and Home Sharing require iTunes Store account".

Q. Does Apple Music require a subscription?

A. Yes. See our separate article all about Apple Music.

Q. I've heard there are Made For iOS (MFi) game controllers. What's available?

A. We've put together a list:

NOTE:

SteelSeries Nimbus - coming soon…
Mad Catz C.T.R.L.i - buy it now at
SteelSeries Stratus XL - buy it now at
Hori HoriPad - buy it now at
SteelSeries Stratus - buy it now at
Gamevice for iPad mini - buy it now at
Gamevice for iPhone 6 - buy it now at
Gamevice for iPad Air - coming soon…
MOGA Rebel MFi - buy it now at
Mad Catz Micro C.T.R.L.i - buy it now at
MOGA Ace Power - buy it now at
Logitech PowerShell - buy it now at

NOTE:

not

Ion iCade Mobile - buy it now at

Q. I've seen various web sites, articles, videos that show programmes/TV/films that do not appear to be available on my Apple TV HD?

A. Apps, streaming services, TV programmes and films are all region specific. Some of them may not be available in the country where you are located.

Q. Does the Apple "TV" app work in European countries?

A. Yes.

Q. Is the BBC iPlayer service available on the Apple TV HD in the UK?

A. Yes it is

Q. I use Home Sharing. Can I use Siri to access Home Sharing content?

Q. I use Home Sharing but cannot use the "Search" app on the main screen for Home Sharing content?

A. Siri uses Spotlight content and currently Home Sharing content is not indexed by Spotlight. This might be supported in a future tvOS update but there is no guarantee. You can use the manual search facility within the Computers app.

Q. Can I use Siri to access all the content on my Apple TV HD?

A. Siri uses Spotlight content and Spotlight indexing only supports certain apps/content e.g. Apple Music, iTunes Cloud, Netflix, Hulu, Showtime and HBO. Apple stated during their 13th June 2016 WWDC event that tvOS 10 will allow third party developers to access and utilise Siri.

Q. I use Home Sharing but have large/long lists of albums/artists. Is there an easier way to scroll up/down rather than use the Touch Surface on the Siri Remote to flick through lists?

A. Currently, no. You cannot click and continuously/accelerate scroll through the list or use Siri. For now we recommend using the manual Search facility within the Computers app.

Q. I use Home Sharing but cannot access chapters in movies/TV series?

A. Video chapters are not currently supported via Home Sharing. This feature might be supported in a future tvOS update but there is no guarantee.

Q. I use the new "Live Photos" feature on my iPhone 6s/6s+. Are they supported on the Apple TV HD?

A. Apple stated during their 13th June 2016 WWDC event that tvOS 10 will support Live Photos.

Q. With my older Apple TVs I used to use my iPhone/iPad/iPod touch as a "remote control" with the Apple Remote iOS app. Does this work with the Apple TV HD?

A. Yes, there's an official Apple app

Q. Is there a quick way to switch between (running) apps?

A. Just like iOS, tvOS has an app switcher of its own: just double-click the Home button to access it. You can also close running apps by selecting it and then swiping up on the remote's Touch Surface.

Q. I find the original Siri remote Touch Surface too sensitive/insensitive. Can the sensitivity be adjusted?

A. Yes. Go to the Settings app > Remotes and Devices > Touch Surface Tracking to adjust it.

Q. How can I tell if the Siri remote's battery is low?

A. Your Apple TV HD/the tvOS should automatically warn you when the remote's battery is low but you can also access this information by going to the Settings app > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth.

Q. I've installed an app on the home screen but want to move its location. How do I move apps?

A. Select the app by using the remote's Touch Surface, then click and hold until the app's icon jiggles, then move it to where you want and click again to place it.

Q. I've installed an app on the home screen but not longer want it. Can I delete it?

A. Yes. Select the app by using the remote's Touch Surface, then click and hold until the app's icon jiggles, click the play/pause button on the remote to delete it.

Q. My family uses more than one Apple ID. Does the Apple TV HD support multiple IDs/content?

A. Yes but it's not a full multi-user experience with each user having their own home screen and setup - it simply allows access to more than one Apple ID iTunes content. Go to Settings > Accounts > iTunes and App Store and select "Add New Apple ID" to add additional IDs. After an ID is added you can switch to their accounts by going to Settings > Accounts > iTunes and App Store.

Q. Can I quickly activate the screen saver?

A. Yes. If you are not already at the Home screen click the Home button. Then, click the Menu button twice quickly to activate the screen saver.

Q. Can I quickly put the Apple TV HD to sleep?

A. Yes. Hold down the Home button to put the Apple TV HD into Sleep mode.

Q. The Apple TV HD appears to have crashed/frozen. Can I force it to restart without having to unplug it?

A. Yes. Click and hold the Menu and Home buttons simultaneously to (force) restart the Apple TV HD.

Q. Does the Apple TV HD have it's own operating system?

A. Yes - it's called "tvOS".

tvOS 17 was released on 18th September 2023.
the tvOS 17.4 bug fix/security update was released on 7th March 2024.
the tvOS 17.3 bug fix/security update was released on 22nd January 2024.
the tvOS 17.2 bug fix/security update was released on 11th December 2023.
the tvOS 17.1 bug fix/security update was released on 25th October 2023.

tvOS 17 includes the following new features:

FaceTime on Apple TV - use your iPhone/iPad as a camera and start a call directly from the FaceTime app on Apple TV, or hand off the call from your iPhone/iPad to your TV - requires Apple TV 4K 2nd generation or later
Smart profile switching
Supports Memories created by the Photos app
Support for Dolby Vision 8.1 content
Install and use third-party VPN apps
Control Center redesign
New screensavers

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Some of this information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.

tvOS 16 was released on 12th September 2022.
the tvOS 16.6 bug fix/security update was released on 24th July 2023.
the tvOS 16.5 bug fix/security update was released on 18th May 2023.
the tvOS 16.4.1 bug fix update (for Apple TV 4K models only) was released on 12th April 2023.
the tvOS 16.4 bug fix/security update was released on 27th March 2023.
the tvOS 16.3.3 bug fix update was released on 6th March 2023.
the tvOS 16.3.2 bug fix/security update was released on 13th February 2023.
the tvOS 16.3.1 bug fix update was released on 6th February 2023.
the tvOS 16.3 bug fix/security update was released on 24th January 2023.
the tvOS 16.2 bug fix/security update was released on 13th December 2022.
the tvOS 16.1.1 bug fix update was released on 16th November 2022.
the tvOS 16.1 bug fix/security update was released on 24th October 2022.

tvOS 16 includes the following new features:

Cross-device connectivity
Multi-user improvements
Nintendo Switch controllers compatibility (Nintendo Joy-Cons and the Nintendo Pro Controller)
HDR10+ support
Video forward featuring on the Apple TV+ tab
Apple Fitness+
Support for the Matter standard - available with the tvOS 16.1 update and later

tvOS 16.1 and 16.2 includes the following new features:

Siri visual redesign
Siri voice recognition for up to 6 family members
Users wearing AirPods will be able to say "Hey Siri"
Siri on tvOS is now supported in Denmark, Luxembourg, Singapore, Chile, Finland, and South Africa

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Some of this information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.

the tvOS 15.6 bug fix and security update was released on 20th July 2022.
the tvOS 15.5 bug fix and security update was released on 16th May 2022.
the tvOS 15.4.1 bug fix update was released on 31st March 2022.
the tvOS 15.4 bug fix, new features and security update was released on 14th March 2022.
the tvOS 15.3 bug fix and security update was released on 26th January 2022.
the tvOS 15.2 bug fix, new features and security update was released on 13th December 2021.
the tvOS 15.1.1 bug fix update was released on 1st November 2021.
the tvOS 15.1 bug fix, new features and security update was released on 25th October 2021.
tvOS 15 was released on 20th September 2021.

Spatial Audio
FaceTime SharePlay - requires the tvOS 15.1 update or later
Group Workouts in Fitness - requires the tvOS 15.1 update or later
Apple Music Voice Plan support - requires the tvOS 15.2 update or later
Enhanced Memories in Photos - requires the tvOS 15.2 update or later
New Store screen in the Apple TV app - requires the tvOS 15.2 update or later
Support for captive Wi-Fi networks - requires the tvOS 15.4 update or later‌
Support for authorising purchases on the ‌Apple TV‌ using an Apple Watch - requires the tvOS 15.4 update or later‌
Ability to display HomeKit cameras in Picture in Picture mode while watching TV - requires the tvOS 15.4 update or later‌

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Some of this information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.

the tvOS 14.7 bug fix/security update was released on 19th July 2021.
the tvOS 14.6 feature/bug fix/security update was released on 24th May 2021.
the tvOS 14.5 security/bug fix update was released on 26th April 2021.
the tvOS 14.4 security/bug fix update was released on 26th January 2021.
the tvOS 14.3 feature/bug fix/security update was released on 14th December 2020.
the tvOS 14.2 security/bug fix update was released on 5th November 2020.
the tvOS 14.0.2 bug fix update was released on 5th October 2020.
the tvOS 14.0.1 bug fix update was released on 24th September 2020.
tvOS 14 was released on 16th September 2020.

Redesigned Control Center including direct control of HomeKit accessories
Support for multiple users for Apple Arcade games
Expanded Xbox controller support - Microsoft Elite 2 + Adaptive Xbox One
Expanded controller support - Xbox Series X S Wireless Controller and Sony PS5 DualSenseTM Wireless Controller - tvOS 14.5 or later required
Audio Sharing for simultaneously connecting two sets of AirPods
Picture-in-picture support "across the entire Apple TV experience" including camera feeds and monitoring for HomeKit-enabled security cameras
AirPlay improvement - stream 4K resolution videos from iOS and iPadOS (Apple TV 4K 1st+2nd Generation models only)
Support for 4K YouTube videos (Apple TV 4K 1st+2nd Generation models only)
Support for Fitness+ - tvOS 14.3 or later required (initially, only UK and Ireland in Europe)
Frame rate options of 29.97Hz and 59.94Hz instead of 30Hz/60Hz - tvOS 14.5 or later required
Siri remote voice control for Austria, Ireland and New Zealand - tvOS 14.5 or later required
New Colour Balance feature - ‌tvOS 14.5 or later + an iPhone‌ with Face ID required
Support for Spatial Audio + Lossless Audio streaming - ‌tvOS 14.6 or later required

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Some of this information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.

the tvOS 13.4.8 security update was released on 15th July 2020.
the tvOS 13.4.6 security update was released on 1st June 2020.
the tvOS 13.4.5 bug fix/security update was released on 20th May 2020.
the tvOS 13.4 bug fix/security update was released on 24th March 2020.
the tvOS 13.3.1 bug fix/security update was released on 28th January 2020.
the tvOS 13.3 bug fix/security update was released on 10th December 2019.
the tvOS 13.2 bug fix/security update was released on 28th October 2019.
tvOS 13 was released on 24th September 2019.

New home screen
New Control Center
Multi-user support
Apple Music includes live lyric display sync
New game controller support - specifically: Xbox One S + PlayStation 4 DualShock

NOTE

official instructions for connecting game controllers to your Apple TV online

New underwater/ocean screensavers

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Some of this information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.

the tvOS 12.4.1 security update was released on 26th August 2019.
the tvOS 12.4 feature/bug fix/security update was released on 22nd July 2019.
the tvOS 12.3 feature/bug fix/security update was released on 13th May 2019.
the tvOS 12.2.1 bug fix/security update was released on 10th April 2019.
the tvOS 12.2 bug fix/security update was released on 25th March 2019.
the tvOS 12.1.2 bug fix/security update was released on 21st January 2019.
the tvOS 12.1.1 bug fix/security update was released on 5th December 2018.
the tvOS 12.1 bug fix/security update was released on 30th October 2018
the tvOS 12.0.1 bug fix was released on 24th September 2018
tvOS 12 was released on 17th September 2018.

Dolby Atmos (Apple TV 4K 1st Generation models only)
"Single sign-on" upgraded to "zero sign-on"
Securely AutoFill passwords from iPhone and iPad to Apple TV to easily sign in to Apple TV apps
Apple TV Remote will be automatically added to Control Center on iPhone or iPad for Apple TV users
Support for third-party home control systems - Control4, Crestron and Savant
New Aerial screensavers

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Some of this information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.

the tvOS 11.4.1 bug fix/security update was released on 9th July 2018.
the tvOS 11.4 bug fix/security update was released on 29th May 2018.
the tvOS 11.3 bug fix/security update was released on 29th March 2018.
the tvOS 11.2.6 bug fix/security update was released on 19th February 2018.
the tvOS 11.2.5 bug fix/security update was released on 23rd January 2018.
the tvOS 11.2.1 bug fix/security update was released on 14th December 2017.
the tvOS 11.2 bug fix/security update was released on 4th December 2017.
the tvOS 11.1 bug fix/security update was released on 31st October 2017.
tvOS 11 was released on 19th September 2017.

Home screen syncing
Automatic switching between light and dark mode based on local time. On your Apple TV go to Settings > General > Appearance > select "Automatic"
Full support for AirPods
AirPlay 2 support
New background modes and notification support
iOS Control Center support - iOS 11 or later required. Add your Apple TV and setup via Settings app > Control Center on your iOS device.

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Some of this information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.

the tvOS 10.2.2 bug fix/security update was released on 19th July 2017.
the tvOS 10.2.1 bug fix/security update was released on 15th May 2017.
the tvOS 10.2 bug fix/security update was released on 27th March 2017.
the tvOS 10.1.1 bug fix/security update was released on 23rd January 2017.
the tvOS 10.1 bug fix update was released on 12th December 2016.
the tvOS 10.0.1 bug fix/security update was released on 24th October 2016.
tvOS 10 was released on 13th September 2016.

More specific Siri searches including YouTube
Easier single sign‑on for (TV/subscription) apps
New Remote app
Dark mode
Automatic download of compatible apps when you download them on an iOS device

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas.

Article Keywords: AppleTV Apple TV HD tvOS tvOS10 tvOS11 tvOS12 tvOS13 tvOS14 tvOS15 tvOS16 tvOS17

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