The upcoming tvOS 14.5 software for Apple TV features support for PS5 DualSense and Xbox Series X/S controllers in addition to new tools to limit app tracking.

tvOS 14.5 for Apple TV
Soon you will be able to play games from Apple Arcade and the tvOS app store with a 'next-gen' game controller. In addition to PS4 and Xbox One controllers, Apple TV and iOS devices will soon support PS5 and Xbox Series X/S controllers.

Apple confirmed support for iOS 14.5 and FlatpanelsHD has subsequently confirmed that support is also included in tvOS 14.5. The game controllers connect to Apple TV via Bluetooth.

Support for rumble/haptics was already included in earlier versions of tvOS although not many games take advantage of it yet. Arcade's The Pathless, a PS5 launch title, supports controller haptics on Apple TV.

The upcoming tvOS 14.5 software, which will be released publicly later, will also include new 'App Tracking Transparency' features to give users better insight into app tracking practices – tracking is now opt-in instead of opt-out.

Also, iOS 14.5 for iPhone/iPad brings AirPlay 2 support to Fitness+ to make the fitness streaming service compatible with AirPlay 2-enabled TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, and others.


 tvOS 14.5 supports PS5 DualSense and Xbox Series X/S controllers

High-end games on Apple TV
Expanded controller support is the latest step in a plan to bring "high-end games" to iOS and tvOS, according to the company. 

Support for motion sensors, haptics/rumble, controller lights, controller battery indicators, controller touchpads, controller speakers, and mouse/keyboard came to Apple TV last year. Apple TV also recently gained support for wireless game audio with HomePods.

 Also read: Nvidia Shield gains support for PS5's DualSense, Xbox Series X/S controllers 

The company is rumored to be working on upgraded Apple TV hardware with a more powerful system chip as well as its own game controller.