- Apple is cutting out the Apple TV HD (2015) and Apple TV 4K (2017) from tvOS 27
- The second and third-gen Apple TV 4K will be eligible for the update
- Though they’ll support the update, it’s unlikely they’ll be getting AI integrations
Apple previewed a shedload of upgrades at WWDC 2026, and although tvOS 27 didn’t get its own segment during the keynote, Apple hasn’t left it out of the equation — but it will be cutting out some models from the upcoming software update.
If you’re still using the fourth-gen Apple TV HD from 2015, or the first-gen Apple TV 4K from 2017, I hate to break it to you but they won’t be getting the tvOS 27 treatment.
However, these devices will still continue to run tvOS 26. If you own the second-gen second-gen Apple TV 4K (2021), or either of the two iterations of the third-gen Apple TV 4K (2022), these devices will support tvOS 27.
You can also check if your device is compatible with tvOS 27 by checking the model numbers below:
- Fourth-generation Apple TV HD (A1625)
- First-generation Apple TV 4K (A1842)
- Second-generation Apple TV 4K (A2169)
- Third-generation Apple TV 4K (A2843)
- Third-generation Apple TV 4K (A2737)
Generally, Apple has kept most of its streaming devices in the loop with each update, but this marks the first time in four years where the company has cut out Apple TV hardware from a major OS upgrade.
It’s a bit of a shame for users who are still going strong with their devices from 10 years ago, and it’s a similar case for the Apple Watches that have been dropped from watchOS 27.
It’s also a bit of a downer to see this happen while so many old iPhone models are getting iOS 27, but there’s probably a valid reason as to why Apple has cut out its old streaming devices from the mix.
The main upgrades across Apple’s OS 27 update are its slew of Apple Intelligence-powered functions and the new Siri AI voice assistant, tools that will unlikely be supported by hardware that came out 10 years ago. Therefore, tvOS 26 is as far as Apple can go with its 2015 and 2017 devices.
However, though the second and third-gen Apple TV 4K streamers will support a handful of new tvOS 27 features, it looks like they’ll be excluded from getting AI upgrades, again because of hardware incompatibility (it runs on Apple’s A15 bionic chip).
With speculation of a fourth-gen Apple TV 4K looming, which is expected to launch later this year, we can only assume that the next-gen Apple TV 4K will be the first native streaming device for Apple’s new AI integrations.
Before you get too disappointed with this, it’s not to say the second and third-gen Apple TV 4K devices are being robbed of new features altogether. Though AI integrations probably won’t be on the cards for these models, Apple’s WWDC keynote briefly showed new performance boosts featuring faster app launches, smoother AirPlay connectivity, and a more responsive Control Center.
Additionally, Smart Downloads are also on the way, though we don’t know how these will work just yet.
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rowan.davies@futurenet.com (Rowan Davies)
