Photo by Peter Kotoff ( Shutterstock)Apple releases major updates every year, even though you may not think about the software running on your Apple TV very often. Apple will release tvOS 15 in the fall 2021. This update brings several quality-of-life enhancements to the Apple TV. For example, you'll be able to log into apps with Face ID using your iPhone. Also, Spatial Audio for AirPods Pro or Max will now work on your iPhone. SharePlay allows you to watch movies and TV shows with friends via FaceTime on your iPh0ne.AdvertisementInstall the tvOS beta public beta if you don't want to wait until fall to experience these features. It is still a beta and you may experience freezes or problems. If something goes wrong with your Apple TV 4K, you will have to wait for a software update.The original Apple TV HD model can be restored starting in 2015. We'll talk more about this below.Does that sound good? Let's talk about how to install the tvOS beta version on your Apple TV.How to download the tvOS 15 public Beta on your Apple TVSign up for Apple's public beta program to gain access to the tvOS beta. Your Apple TV will receive beta updates via the internet once you have signed up. To do this, you don't need to connect your Apple TV to your computer. All you have to do is enroll your Apple ID into Apple's public beta program.Open Apples public beta website on your computer, and then click Sign up. Next, log in using your Apple ID (the same Apple ID you use with the Apple TV). To enroll in the program you must accept the terms and conditions. That's it!Switch over to Apple TV. Make sure you have the same Apple ID for your Apple TV. Open the Settings app and navigate to the Accounts section. Go to the iCloud and iTunes & App Store sections. You are now good to go.AdvertisementNext, open the Settings app and go to System > Software Update. Enable the Get Public Beta Updates option and then agree to the terms.Screenshot: AppleAdvertisementAfter it is enabled, your Apple TV will begin receiving tvOS 15 beta updates. Go to Settings > Software Update, then click on the Update Software button. Choose the Download and install option from the popup.Screenshot: AppleAdvertisementYou can now let your Apple TV do the rest. It will download, install and reboot your Apple TV. After it's done, you will be running tvOS 15.What new features are there in tvOS 15.The tvOS 15 update is a great way to make your AirPods or HomePod minis more useful. tvOS 15 now supports Apple's AirPods auto connect feature. You will see a notification on your screen to help you quickly connect your AirPods. AirPods Max and AirPods Pro will have access to Spatial Audio, which allows for immersive listening in supported apps. You can also use two HomePod minis together to make a stereo pair.AdvertisementNative support is also available for the SharePlay feature. You can use iOS 15 to watch something with friends over FaceTime. The media can be moved to the Apple TV while you continue the conversation on your iPhone. You can still sync the media controls and playback with the rest on the group call.As we said, Face ID (using iCloud Keychain) will allow you to log into apps from your iPhone using Face ID.AdvertisementHow to restore an Apple TVYou can restore your Apple TV HD if you are having problems with the tvOS beta (this is not possible with 4K models).AdvertisementConnect the HDMI cable and the power cable to the Apple TV and disconnect them. Open Finder on your Mac and choose your Apple TV in the sidebar. Select the Restore option. Follow these instructions to complete the restoration process.To restore an Apple TV running macOS Mojave (or older) you will need to use iTunes.AdvertisementWhat devices are supported in tvOS 15.tvOS 15 supports all three major Apple TV models with a Siri remote (with touchpad). Here's the complete list:Apple TV HD (2015)Apple TV 4K (2017)Apple TV 4K (2021).
