Apple TV gets YouTube playback in 4K with tvOS 14

The ability to play back YouTube content in 4K on the Apple TV is restored in tvOS 14, after three years of the Apple TV being stuck at 1080p from the streaming service.

After Apple refused to directly support Google's VP9 codec in 2017 at the release of the Apple TV 4K, with YouTube videos limited to 1080p. The feature wasn't discussed during the WWDC 2020 keynote, but rather, discovered in a blurb on the tvOS 14 website.

"Watch the latest YouTube videos in their full 4K glory," Apple wrote. "Your favorite music, slomo, outdoor, and vlog footage never looked better."

The same codec support problem prevents 4K YouTube videos from playing in the Mac and iOS versions of Safari. It isn't clear yet if the feature will be added to either platform, but AppleInsider will be testing it out as soon as possible.

With the release of iOS 14, Apple will expand picture-in-picture support. Following update, users can stream from fitness apps while watching live tv, or even use PiP with an AirPlayed video.

AirPlay also is getting an update in iOS 14 so users sharing their 4K video to a 4K television set will see the video in full resolution. It isn't clear if this is related to the YouTube 4K support.

Additionally, when using AirPods that support Audio Sharing on iOS, you can now use that feature on tvOS. With the new spatial audio feature, multiple users can experience movies together without disturbing others nearby.

New tvOS 14 Features

Multiuser for games
Better PiP support
Camera feeds on TV
Photos app with AirPlay in 4K
New game controller support
Audio Sharing on Apple TV

9 Comments

Scot1 125 comments · 7 Years

About 4 years ago

This is great news thank you

docbburk 109 comments · 7 Years

I wish they would have announced a new model Apple TV, since the newest was released in 2017. I have a gen 3 that just lost support for HBONOW and no support for HBO max. It’s due. I don’t want to buy a 4K and feel like a chump in September if they release a new model.

Fatman 513 comments · 8 Years

I assume that means Apple finally supports the VP9 codec? Can anyone confirm?

fastasleep 6450 comments · 14 Years

docbburk said:

I wish they would have announced a new model Apple TV, since the newest was released in 2017. I have a gen 3 that just lost support for HBONOW and no support for HBO max. It’s due. I don’t want to buy a 4K and feel like a chump in September if they release a new model.

Out of curiosity, what would you want from a new ATV that you can't get in the current 4K? Do you play games on it?

charlesn 1131 comments · 11 Years

fastasleep said:

docbburk said:

I wish they would have announced a new model Apple TV, since the newest was released in 2017. I have a gen 3 that just lost support for HBONOW and no support for HBO max. It’s due. I don’t want to buy a 4K and feel like a chump in September if they release a new model.

Out of curiosity, what would you want from a new ATV that you can't get in the current 4K? Do you play games on it?

Well, since you've already denied yourself 4K support for the past 3 years--which is too bad, since there's a lot of 4K content out there to see on the streaming services--I suppose you might as well wait for the next gen ATV. I'd be really surprised to not see one released this year. But be aware that in terms of TV and movie watching, the current 4K supports all the latest audio/video formats like HDR, Dolby Atmos and 4K Dolby Vision, while most content is still in 1080 HD. so the current ATV won't be outdated for that kind of usage anytime soon. Where I expect to see improvements would be: 1) A new remote design that finally ends the misery for ATV owners using the current "form over function" design disaster that begs to be held upside down. 2) New kinds of support for gaming and (possibly) VR. 3) Advanced voice control that doesn't require me to find the remote and push a button to engage a limited range of voice commands. There should just be a wake word that allows me to speak directly to the ATV.