Apple Releases tvOS 17 With FaceTime for Apple TV, Revamped Control Center and More

Apple today released tvOS 17, the latest version of the tvOS operating system that runs on the Apple TV 4K models and the ‌Apple TV‌ HD.

tvos 17 facetime
tvOS 17, which arrives with build number 21J354, can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌Apple TV‌ owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 17 automatically.

In tvOS 17, Apple has added a FaceTime app for ‌FaceTime‌ calls on a larger screen. The feature works through an iPhone or iPad running iOS 17/iPadOS 17, with the iOS device serving as the camera and the TV serving as the display. With a Split View option, you can place your ‌FaceTime‌ call on one side of the TV and a TV show or game on the other side for SharePlay experiences.

Apple Music Sing, the karaoke feature on the ‌Apple TV‌, can use the same Continuity Camera functionality to let you see yourself as you sing, complete with filters.

Apple redesigned Control Center to make it easier to get to key settings and information without having to open up the Settings app. Control Center also displays the system status, time, and the profile of the person signed in.

Second-generation Siri Remote owners can now use the ‌iPhone‌ to locate a lost remote, taking advantage of the Remote section of the ‌iPhone‌'s Control Center. There are a range of new aerial screen savers, along with screen savers based on the Memories section of the Photos app.

Other new features include Dolby Vision 8.1 support, an enhance dialogue option to make it easier to hear what's being said over music and effects, and support for third-party VPN apps. More on the new features in tvOS 17 can be found in our Apple TV roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

sjsharksfan12 Avatar
7 weeks ago
First one that finished updating and it looks really nice. I like the extra space for 6 apps on the top shelf. Maybe they could have had a little more color but overall, I like it.

I like the Control Center. Thanks for giving us the time.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kurtfoster Avatar
7 weeks ago

Nope, not possible. Learn to live with it.
I think I’ll write a strongly worded email to Tim Cook. I’ll learn to live with it after I do that. ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ninja Dom Avatar
7 weeks ago

Not year yet. Uk 6.07?
Restart your Apple TV. I'm in the UK and it showed up after a restart.

FaceTime not available for Apple TV 4K Gen 1's?? :mad::mad::mad:
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JitteryJimmy Avatar
7 weeks ago

So wait let me get this straight, they're releasing iOS 17 for my Apple TV HD released in 2015 and yet my iPhone 8 Plus released in 2017 and my gf iPhone SE released in 2016 does not get an update?
Come on man!?
tvOS is a lot lighter weight than iOS.

I’m not complaining, my Apple TV has been the best investment in the past 8 years.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fuzzball84 Avatar
7 weeks ago
This is pretty cool, but it would be nicer if they sold a webcam based on the same technology as they have in MacBooks etc and then it would just be there all the time ready for calls... and better put a privacy switch on it lol
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
damo767 Avatar
7 weeks ago
Any idea where I can get the iPhone mount shown in the promo photo?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

M3 Chip Apple Event Slide

First Benchmark Results Surface for M3 Chip in New Macs

Wednesday November 1, 2023 7:53 am PDT by
The first benchmark results for the standard M3 chip surfaced in the Geekbench 6 database today, providing a closer look at the chip's CPU performance improvements. Based on the results so far, the M3 chip has single-core and multi-core scores of around 3,000 and 11,700, respectively. The standard M2 chip has single-core and multi-core scores of around 2,600 and 9,700, respectively, so the...
iOS 17

Apple Preparing to Release iOS 17.1.1 Update for iPhone

Thursday November 2, 2023 1:22 pm PDT by
Apple appears to be internally testing an iOS 17.1.1 update for the iPhone, based on evidence of the software in our website's analytics logs this week. iOS 17.1.1 will almost certainly be focused on bug fixes, but it's unclear exactly which issues the update will address. The update could include the same fix for Wi-Fi connectivity issues that Apple rolled out in the first iOS 17.2 beta,...
m3 pro chip

Apple M3 Pro Chip Has 25% Less Memory Bandwidth Than M1/M2 Pro

Tuesday October 31, 2023 3:11 am PDT by
Apple's latest M3 Pro chip in the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro has 25% less memory bandwidth than the M1 Pro and M2 Pro chips used in equivalent models from the two previous generations. Based on the latest 3-nanometer technology and featuring all-new GPU architecture, the M3 series of chips is said to represent the fastest and most power-efficient evolution of Apple silicon thus far. ...
AitTag New Firmware

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirTags

Tuesday October 31, 2023 11:26 am PDT by
Apple today released a new firmware update designed for the AirTag item trackers. The firmware features a build number of 2A61, up from the 2A36 firmware that came out last December. It has been nearly a year since Apple updated the firmware on the AirTags, and there is no word yet on what might be included in the update. Today's firmware release will be rolling out on a staggered basis....
M3 Max Chip

M3 Max Chip Around as Fast as M2 Ultra in Early Benchmark Results

Wednesday November 1, 2023 7:27 pm PDT by
The first benchmark results for Apple's M3 Max chip surfaced in the Geekbench 6 database today, providing a look at CPU performance. Based on the "Mac15,9" model identifier shown, the results appear to be for the new 16-inch MacBook Pro. The highest multi-core score for the M3 Max with a 16-core CPU is currently 21,084 as of writing. If this early result is accurate, this means the M3 Max is ...
10 New Features With iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Coming Later This Year With These 10 New Features for iPhone

Friday November 3, 2023 1:23 pm PDT by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers and public beta testers last week, and the software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones. Below, we have highlighted 10 of these new features and changes. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in December. Once available, the update can be installed in the Settings app under General → Software...
Pro Display XDR Red

Macs With M3 Chip Still Officially Support Only a Single External Display

Thursday November 2, 2023 7:41 am PDT by
Macs equipped with the standard M3 chip still support only one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz, according to Apple's tech specs. So far, the chip is available in the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro and the 24-inch iMac. This limitation has existed since the first Apple silicon Macs with the M1 chip were released in 2020, but users can connect multiple external displays to...
apple music voice plan feature blue green

Apple Music's Lower-Priced Voice Plan Being Discontinued

Wednesday November 1, 2023 11:51 am PDT by
The lower-cost Apple Music Voice Plan is being discontinued this month in the U.S. and all other countries where it was available, according to an Apple support document. Brazilian website MacMagazine was first to alert us to this news. "Beginning in November, Apple will discontinue the Apple Music Voice plan," said Apple. "We are focused on delivering the best, most robust music experience...