Apple's next-generation tvOS 16 is now available to the public, introducing a handful of new features, bug fixes, and other improvements to the Apple TV platform.
tvOS 16 header
One of the main new features is support for Matter, a unifying smart home standard that allows products to work with HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings, among other automation platforms.
With the Matter support, users will be able to control Matter-certified accessories with the Home app on Apple TV models. While support is there, the actual standard launches later in the fall.
Users are now also able to pair their Nintendo Switch controllers with Apple devices, including Apple TVs running tvOS 16. tvOS 16 also brings support for HDR10+.
Additionally, Apple is expanding cross-device capabilities on tvOS by allowing an Apple TV app to integrate with iOS, iPadOS, or watchOS and "unlock new experiences."
For example, workout apps will be able to use metrics from an Apple Watch to fuel personalization. Video apps can include timelines or other data on an iPhone or iPad as media plays. Game developers can add accompanying features on an iPhone or iPad, such as a map.
There are a variety of other more minor changes and improvements in tvOS 16, including the following:
- There are new SwiftUI elements that developers can take advantage of in their own apps.
- Users can now add additional family members inside of Control Center
- New rich previews for Apple TV+ content to boost discovery
- Intensity levels are now displayed on-screen in Apple Fitness+ workouts, with levels ranging from "easy" to "all-out."
- New toggle for 24-hour or 12-hour time formats.
- There's a new Hover Text option in Accessibility
Update to tvOS 16 by navigating to the Settings app, select System, then Software Updates.