Apple has released the fifth public beta of tvOS 27 for Apple TV users enrolled in its beta testing program. The latest release carries build number 24J5358a, matching tvOS 27 developer beta 7 released on August 24.
The fifth public beta arrives one week after public beta 4 and focuses mainly on bug fixes, performance improvements, and stability as Apple moves closer to the final tvOS 27 release. No major new features have been spotted in this build so far.
How to update to tvOS 27 public beta 5
If your Apple TV is already enrolled in Apple’s beta program, you can install the latest build directly from Settings.
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- Open the Settings app on your Apple TV.
- Select System.
- Choose Software Updates.
- Make sure Get Beta Updates is enabled.
- Select tvOS 27 Public Beta when prompted.
- Choose Update Software.
- Select Download and Install if the new beta appears.
- Keep your Apple TV connected to power until the installation finishes.
Users who have not joined the beta program need to register their Apple Account with the Apple Beta Software Program before enabling beta updates.
All the changes in tvOS 27 so far
Apple has introduced several smaller improvements throughout the tvOS 27 beta cycle, with most changes focused on media playback, accessibility, navigation, and overall performance.
- Redesigned Podcasts app: Apple Podcasts gets a redesigned interface with sidebar navigation, support for video podcasts, and improved episode and show artwork.
- Smart downloads: tvOS 27 introduces smarter download management for supported content, giving Apple TV more control over automatically downloaded media.
- Larger text options: New accessibility settings allow users to increase text size across more parts of the Apple TV interface.
- Faster AirPlay connections: AirPlay connections between Apple TV and other Apple devices now establish more quickly.
- More responsive Control Center: Apple has improved Control Center responsiveness, making commonly used controls faster to open and navigate.
- Smoother animations and app launches: tvOS 27 includes performance work designed to make apps open faster and system animations feel smoother.
- AppleCare information in Settings: Users can now check AppleCare coverage details directly from the Settings app on Apple TV.
- Apple Music AutoMix: Apple Music gains AutoMix support on Apple TV, allowing songs to transition more smoothly during playback.
- Hi-Res Lossless Audio: Apple Music on tvOS 27 adds support for Hi-Res Lossless playback on compatible setups.
- Apple TV updates through iPhone: tvOS 27 adds an option to manage Apple TV software updates through the Home app on iPhone.
Apple has also fixed smaller issues during the beta cycle. One previous beta addressed a visual issue with the sidebar focus highlight in the Apple TV app and corrected subtitle behavior related to muting and unmuting video playback.
tvOS 27 supports Apple TV 4K models from the second generation onward, while Apple TV HD and the first-generation Apple TV 4K are no longer supported.
With the fifth public beta now available, Apple appears to be concentrating on stability and final fixes ahead of the public release. If you’ve already installed the update, let us know your experience in the comments.
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