Apple TV Software

Apple TV Software was a series of operating systems developed by Apple for their early Apple TV consoles. On October 29, 2015, it was superseded by tvOS.

Version 1
Apple TV Software 1.0 was released on March 21, 2007 with the 1st-generation Apple TV, which ran on a processor. The software was based on Mac OS X 10.4.7 "Tiger" and used Front Row as its user interface. A computer running a supported version of iTunes was required to sync content to the device. Version 1.1 was released on June 20, 2007, adding support for YouTube video playback.

Version 2
Apple TV Software 2.0 was released on January 15, 2008. Once installed, it allowed the 1st generation device to receive downloads directly, effectively untethering it from a computer. Version 2.0.1 was released on March 28 and added support for browsing movies by genre. A 2.0.2 update that improved network reliability was released on April 14. Version 2.1 was released on July 9, 2008 and allowed supported iPhone and iPod touch models to be used as remote control devices through a Remote app. It also added support for MobileMe. Version 2.2 was released on October 2 and allowed purchases and downloading of HD television shows from the iTunes Store. Version 2.3 was released on November 19, 2008 and added the ability to stream music over AirTunes to AirPort Express-connected speaker and learning of 3rd-party remotes. Version 2.3.1 was released on February 25, 2009 and added a network test function and disabled 3rd-party hacks such as. Version 2.4 was released on June 24, 2009 and added support for touch gestures from the updated Remote app for iOS devices.

Version 3
Apple TV Software 3.0 was released on October 29, 2009. It updated the user interface, added support for Genius Mixes, and allowed tagging of internet radio stations for later listening. A issue with disappearing content was addressed in an update to version 3.0.1 on November 7, 2009. Version 3.0.2 was released on February 11, 2010 and was the final update based on Mac OS X that supported the 1st-generation Apple TV.

Version 4
Apple TV Software 4.0 was released on September 1, 2010 with the 2nd-generation Apple TV. It was the first version to be based on iOS, specifically iOS 4.1.

Version 5
Apple TV Software 5.0 was released in March 7, 2012 with the 3rd-generation Apple TV. Based on iOS 5.1, it featured a new user interface. Version 5.2 was released on January 28, 2013 with the 3rd-generation Apple TV, revision A.

Version 6
Apple TV Software 6.2.1, based on iOS 7.1.2, was released on September 17, 2014 and was the last update to support the 2nd-generation Apple TV.

Version 7
Apple TV Software 7.0, released on September 17, 2014, was based on iOS 8.0, adopting its "flat" user interface. It added peer-to-peer AirPlay support to the 3rd-generation Apple TV, revision A (model A1469). Version 7.6.2, based on iOS 8.4.6, was released on December 14, 2020 and is the last update to date for both revisions of the 3rd-generation Apple TV. It addresses issues with playback of YouTube videos.

Deprecation

 * NOTE: There is no Apple TV Software 8.0 or tvOS 8.

Though still derived from iOS, the software was formally rebranded as tvOS in 2015, starting with tvOS 9 (based on iOS 9) for the 4th-generation Apple TV HD. However, support for Apple TV Software 7.x (retroactively referred to as tvOS 7) for 3rd-generation Apple TV consoles has continued with updates being released through the end of 2020.

Release history

 * * There is no Apple TV Software 8.0.