Apple Releases First Public Beta of tvOS 17

Apple today seeded the first beta of the upcoming tvOS 17 update to its public beta testing group, allowing the general public to download and test the update ahead of its September launch.

apple tv 4k design triad
Public beta testers can download the tvOS 17 beta by opening up the Settings app on Apple TV, choosing the Software Updates section under System, and then toggling on the Get Public Beta Updates option. Signing up on Apple's public beta website is also required.

tvOS 17 adds FaceTime to the ‌Apple TV‌, with an iPhone or iPad serving as the camera. The ‌FaceTime‌ interface shows up on the bigger display of the TV, and Center Stage keeps you front and center as you move around the room. There's even a Split View option so you can use ‌FaceTime‌ while watching TV or playing a game on the other part of the screen.

tvos 17 facetime
There's a revamped Control Center that makes it quicker to get to key settings and information without needing to go into the Settings app, plus it supports useful shortcuts and tools that are customized for each user.

If you have a second-generation Siri Remote, you can use the ‌Apple TV‌ Remote section in the ‌iPhone‌'s Control Center to track it down, preventing you from losing your remote.

Other new features in tvOS 17 include new aerial screen savers, screen savers based on the Memories section of the Photos app, an enhance dialogue option to make it easier to hear what's being said on a TV show or movie, and more. Additional details can be found in our Apple TV roundup.

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

Top Rated Comments

Gator5000e Avatar
7 hours ago at 12:17 pm
Maybe I will stop gettng the same 3 screen savers over and over. Especially that overhead one of the street in Dubai I think it's Dubai). I am so sick of that one.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
8 hours ago at 11:24 am

My ATV 4k refuses to update to this. Every time it runs through the process it stays at the most recent 16PB. I give up.
Try turning off beta updates, then re-enable beta updates, with agreement, and see if ti show up, it should.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BillGates1969 Avatar
3 hours ago at 04:34 pm

Will Fitness+ on tvOS 17 work with a Watch that’s still running watchOS 9? I usually don’t bother with watch betas but I kinda want to check out some Apple TV features…
Yes. That is my scenario. My ATV is the only thing on 17 (my watch and phone both on 16).

Works fine, though don’t bother to spend time saving a new stack (a new feature) on the ATV as it forgets it on next logon. Maybe need iOS17 for that.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Rapid Security Response Feature 1

Apple Releases Rapid Security Response Updates for iOS 16.5.1 and macOS 13.4.1 to Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerability [Updated]

Monday July 10, 2023 10:31 am PDT by
Apple today released Rapid Security Response (RSR) updates that are available for iPhone and iPad users running the iOS and iPadOS 16.5.1 updates and the macOS Ventura 13.4.1 update. Rapid Security Response updates are designed to provide iOS and macOS users with security fixes without the need to install a full software update. Today's updates address an actively exploited WebKit...
iPhone 15 Pro Two Volume Buttons and Titanium Feature Blue Green

iPhone 15 Pro's Top Rumored Features: USB-C Port, Titanium, and More

Tuesday July 11, 2023 6:37 am PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 lineup in September. As usual, the Pro and Pro Max models are expected to have a wide range of new features, including a USB-C port, A17 Bionic chip, titanium frame, and more. Below, we have recapped the top five new features rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro models. USB-C port: iPhone 15 Pro models are widely rumored to feature a USB-C port, providing...
Rapid Security Response Feature 1

Apple Pulls iOS 16.5.1 and macOS 13.4.1 Rapid Security Response Updates Due to Safari Bug

Monday July 10, 2023 8:39 pm PDT by
Apple earlier today released new Rapid Security Response updates for iOS 16.5.1, iPadOS 16.5.1, and macOS Ventura 13.4.1 users, but Apple has pulled the software, likely due to an issue that caused certain websites not to work after the RSRs were installed. According to reports on the MacRumors forums, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Zoom, and other websites started giving a warning about not ...
primeday2020 feature3

Amazon Prime Day: The Best Apple Deals

Tuesday July 11, 2023 5:30 am PDT by
Amazon Prime Day is back again, and this summer it will last for two days. During this time, you'll find a large selection of deals and offers across Amazon's storefront, covering savings on tech, clothing, video games, groceries, and much, much more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us...
iPhone 15 Pro Blue Side and Back 2

iPhone 15 Pro Expected to Come in Blue

Friday July 7, 2023 2:12 pm PDT by
The iPhone 15 Pro models that are set to be introduced this September will be available in a unique dark blue color that has a gray tone, according to Unknownz21, a source that has provided multiple details on what we can expect from the next-generation iPhones and accurate information on other Apple devices like the Vision Pro. Available in a new titanium material, the blue shade will have...