tvOS version by device — iOS Ref

tvOS version by device

tvOS is an iOS-based operating system for Apple TV. Information about which Apple TVs are vintage/obsolete was obtained from this page.

Apple TV with tvOS

Device
Released
First tvOS
Max tvOS

Apple TV 4K (gen 3)
2022
16
16

Apple TV 4K (gen 2)
2021
14

Apple TV 4K (gen 1)
2017
11

Apple TV HD 1
2015
9

1 Apple TV HD was known as the fourth generation Apple TV, before a rebranding in 2021.

Other iOS-based Apple TVs

The second and third Apple TV ran a more stripped-down version of iOS known as “Apple TV Software”.

Device
Released
First Apple TV Software
Max Apple TV Software

Apple TV (gen 3)

Obsolete

2012
5 (≈ iOS 5)
7 (≈ iOS 8)

Apple TV (gen 2)

Obsolete

2010
4 (≈ iOS 4)
6 (≈ iOS 7)

Other Apple TVs

The first Apple TV ran a modified version of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, also called “Apple TV Software”.

Device
Released
First Apple TV Software
Max Apple TV Software

Apple TV (gen 1)

Obsolete

2007
1 (≈ OS X 10.4)
3 (≈ OS X 10.4)

See also