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 and updated built-in apps.

The new design language adds sleek, transparent finishes to different parts of the tvOS experience, with updated app icons, new translucent menus and animations that respond to your clicks and swipes. Your Apple TV can also be set to launch to a profile selection screen so recommendations in tvOS are customized to you.

In the Apple Music app, you'll also be able to connect iPhones to use as karaoke microphones, add songs to your playlist from your device and use your iPhone to react with emoji while your friends sing. You'll also be able to viewed translated versions of a song's lyrics, just like in the iOS version of the app.

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 will also be available on tvOS, making it possible to view visual voicemail from your TV.

Apple is also adding new aerial screensavers with new footage filmed in India and giving you the ability to choose which category of screensavers you do and do not want to see on your TV.

Interestingly, Apple isn't making its new Liquid Glass design available on all versions of the Apple TV. Apple'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.

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