tvOS 18 has arrived: All the new features – Snoopy gets delayed
Apple will later today release tvOS 18 alongside iOS 18, with new features such as InSight, portrait screensavers, auto subtitles and improved Enhance Dialogue. Snoopy and 21:9 support are delayed.Update 2: Added information on two new additions: Remote control signal strength (RSSI) and custom sleep timers with Siri. Update: Apple has confirmed additional features and details on on-device Siri, a new setup experience, multi-user personalized Spatial Audio, and improved Braille support. The article has been updated to reflect this.tvOS 18 was announced at WWDC 24 in June, and later today – around 10am PST, 1pm ET, 7pm CET – it will be released as a free software update for everyone with an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD. Some of the headlining new features are:
- InSight for Apple TV+: Information on actors and music for the specific scene in Apple TV+ titles by clicking down on the Apple TV remote or while using iPhone/iPad as a remote.
- Automatic subtitles: Subtitles can automatically appear when the video is muted, on skip back, and when the language is different from your preferred language on Apple TV.
- Improved Enhance Dialogue with 'Enhance', 'Boost', and 'Isolate' (under Accessibility) options. It works with HomePods, TVs, HDMI-connected speakers, receivers, AirPods, and Bluetooth speakers.
- Portrait screensavers: Show specific people, pets, nature, or cities from your photos in iCloud.
- On-device Siri support for Apple TV (2nd Gen or later).
Delayed features in tvOS 18.1, 18.2, etc.
Some features have been delayed. Unfortunately, this includes the new Snoopy and movies screensavers, both of which are "coming later this year", according to Apple. There are no signs of support for 21:9 projectors either. It was announced as a tvOS 18 feature but did not appear in any of the tvOS 18 betas. Same "later this year" timeline from Apple. The Snoopy screensavers are delayed – and will require the 2nd Gen Apple TV 4K or later
AirPlay is finally gaining support for Spatial Audio, including Dolby Atmos, in iOS 18. While it works with Atmos music in Apple Music from an iOS 18 device to an Apple TV 4K running tvOS 18, it does not yet work in the reverse direction: from Apple TV 4K to AirPlay speakers (Atmos already works with HomePods when set as default Apple TV speakers). We are also awaiting updates from partners like Sonos for their AirPlay-enabled speakers.
As for the HomePod, which runs tvOS, Apple has announced that "machine learning and computational audio support on HomePod (2nd generation) coming later this year".
1st Apple TV 4K showing its age
If you arre not seeing all the new features on your Apple TV 4K after updating to tvOS 18, it is because the improved Enhance Dialogue and Portrait screensavers require the Apple TV 4K 2nd Gen or later. This is in addition to the Continuity camera support added in tvOS 17, which lets you use an iPhone as a camera for Apple TV 4K. A new feature in tvOS 18 is live captions (English only) on FaceTime video calls, which also require Apple TV 4K 2nd Gen or later. Additionally, Apple Music Sing's camera even requires the Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen. On-device Siri also requires Apple TV 4K 2nd Gen or later. In other words, the 1st generation Apple TV 4K from 2017 is starting to show its age and lack of processing power. The Apple TV HD from 2015 will also receive tvOS 18 but lacks even more features, meaning that tvOS 18 for this model will mainly focus on bug fixes and security.All the new features
With previous tvOS updates, Apple TV 4K has gained new features such as Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio, HomePod integration, match frame rate and dynamic range, multi-user support, AirPlay 2, Matter, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, extensive game controller support, VPN, Find My Remote, and much more. This contrasts sharply with high-end TVs, which rarely receive new features through software updates. For example, LG only recently committed to upgrading webOS in some existing TVs, while Samsung just last month committed to upgrading Tizen in some existing TVs. Here is everything FlatpanelsHD has discovered in tvOS 18. We will update this article if we discover additional new features.All the new features in tvOS 18
InSight for Apple TV+
The Apple TV app introduces InSight, a feature that displays timely information about actors, characters, and music from Apple TV+ movies and shows onscreen in real time. Users can select an actor to view their background and filmography page, or quickly view the song that is playing in a scene and add it to an Apple Music playlist. Click down on the Apple TV remote or use the remote app on iPhone/iPad.
The new InSight feature for Apple TV+ content. Photo. FlatpanelsHD
The new InSight feature for Apple TV+ content. Photo. FlatpanelsHD
Portraits screensavers
Show specific people, pets, nature of cities from your photos in iCloud. Switch between categories by swiping up while viewing screen savers.
Portraits screensavers. Photo: Apple
Automatic subtitles
Subtitles allow users to stay engaged with their favorite content, and for even more convenience, they automatically appear at just the right moments with tvOS 18, including when the language in a show or film does not match the device language, when users mute, or when they skip back while watching something.
Here are the new 'Automatic Subtitles' options in tvOS 18. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
Improved Enhance Dialogue
Enhance Dialogue gets smarter with tvOS 18, leveraging machine learning and computational audio to deliver greater vocal clarity over music, action, and background noise on Apple TV 4K, with 'Boost', 'Enhance' and 'Isolate' (under Accessibility) options. It works with HomePods, built-in TV speakers, HDMI-connected speakers, receivers, AirPods and Bluetooth speakers. Requires Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) or later.
There are new Enhance Dialogue options. In addition, there is an 'Isolate' option under Accessibility. Photo: Apple
AirPlay adds Spatial Audio
So users can get an immersive audio experience, including support for Dolby Atmos, when using AirPlay to stream audio from iPhone and iPad to HomePod, Apple TV 4K and compatible third-party audio equipment.
On-device Siri support for Apple TV
Audio from your Siri requests are processed on Apple TV and never leave the device. Requires Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) or later.
SharePlay in Apple Music
After several delays, SharePlay in Apple Music is now available on Apple TV and HomePod with tvOS 18 and also supports Bluetooth speakers. SharePlay enables multiple users to control and collaborate on a shared playlist, with only the main user needing an Apple Music subscription. Others, including houseguests, can join by holding their iPhone near the main user's iPhone or by scanning a QR code with their device's camera.
Preferred Home Hub
With tvOS/iOS 18, any Apple TV can be set as the 'Preferred Home Hub', instead of Apple's automatic selection.
Homescreen design
You can now manually switch between having 5 or 6 icons per row on the homescreen. Go to Settings -> General -> Appearance -> Default/Large
'Go to Movie' from Library
A small tweak in the Apple TV app is that tvOS 18 finally lets you 'Go to Movie' page from the library section. Just long-press the movie poster.
You can finally 'Go to Movie' in the Apple TV app's library section. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
Redesigned Fitness+
Apple Fitness+ has been redesigned in tvOS 18. 'For You' showcases helpful and relevant recommendations that are personalized from the start. 'Search' helps you find workouts and meditations based on activity, trainer, duration, or type of music. 'Explore' highlights new offerings, from specialized workouts to Artist Spotlights or programs to help you get started. 'Library' stores your saved workouts and meditations, Stacks, and Custom Plans.
The redesigned Fitness+ app in tvOS 18. Photo: Apple
Dedicated Continuity Camera
Set up an iPhone to be a dedicated Continuity Camera for FaceTime and compatible video conferencing apps on your Apple TV. Turn on in Settings > Remotes and Devices. Requires Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) or later.
FaceTime with Continuity Camera – Live Captions
New updates to FaceTime with Continuity Camera come with tvOS 18, making it more accessible than ever. With the introduction of Live Captions for English in the U.S. and Canada, users can read what others are saying on a FaceTime call — all from the biggest screen in the home. Requires Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) or later.
Sports Previews
The Apple TV app now has live sports previews in the background.
Audio Ducking
There is a new 'Audio Ducking' feature under Accessibility to reduce the volume of media and calls when using VoiceOver.
TVML deprecated
Apple is deprecating TVML, meaning that the design language of new and existing tvOS apps will eventually migrate to SwitftUI.
On-demand ressources limits in App Store
On-demand resources limits were increased for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, tvOS 18 and visionOS 2.
Bug fix for sign-on via iPhone/iPad
Fixed: Adding a new user to Apple TV using an iPhone or iPad (running iOS 17.x or earlier) might result in a failure when signed into separate Apple Accounts for iCloud, iTunes, and / or Game Center.
Apple TV setup
An all-new setup experience makes getting started with Apple TV even easier.
Personalized Spatial Audio for every user
Spatial Audio is now personalized for AirPods for every user on Apple TV.
Improved Braille support
Braille support has been improved for more languages.
Check remote signal strength (RSSI)
In the remote control settings, you can now check the signal strength between the Apple TV and the remote.
Apple's movie and TV screensavers are coming later. Here's the Foundation screensaver. Photo: Apple |
