- Apple is removing Apple TV HD (2015) and Apple TV 4K (2017) from tvOS 27
- Second and third generation Apple TV 4K will be eligible for the update
- Although they will support the update, they are unlikely to get AI integrations
Apple previewed a slew of updates at WWDC 2026, and while tvOS 27 didn’t get its own segment during the keynote, Apple didn’t leave it out of the equation, but it will remove some models from the next software update.
If you’re still using the fourth-generation Apple TV HD from 2015, or the first-generation 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 run tvOS 26. If you own the second-generation Apple TV 4K (2021), or either version of the third-generation Apple TV 4K (2022), these devices will support tvOS 27.
You can also check if your device supports tvOS 27 by checking the model numbers below:
- Apple TV HD 4th generation (A1625)
- First generation Apple TV 4K (A1842)
- Apple TV 4K 2nd generation (A2169)
- Apple TV 4K 3rd generation (A2843)
- Apple TV 4K 3rd generation (A2737)
Apple has generally kept most of its streaming devices informed with each update, but this is the first time in four years that the company has removed Apple TV hardware from a major operating system update.
It’s a bit of a shame for users who are still going strong with their 10-year-old devices, and it’s a similar case for Apple Watches that were removed from watchOS 27.
It’s also a little depressing to see this happening while so many older iPhone models are getting iOS 27, but there’s probably a valid reason why Apple has removed its old streaming devices from the mix.
The biggest updates to Apple’s OS 27 update are its slew of features powered by Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI voice assistant, tools that likely won’t be compatible with hardware that came out 10 years ago. Therefore, tvOS 26 is as far as Apple can go with its 2015 and 2017 devices.
However, while the second and third generation Apple TV 4K streamers will support some new tvOS 27 features, it appears they will be excluded from receiving AI updates, again due to hardware incompatibility (it runs on Apple’s A15 bionic chip).
With speculation that a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K is on the horizon, expected to launch later this year, we can only assume that the next-generation Apple TV 4K will be the first streaming device native to Apple’s new AI integrations.
Before you get too disappointed with this, it doesn’t mean that the second and third generation Apple TV 4K devices are being completely deprived of new features. Although AI integrations likely won’t be in the cards for these models, Apple’s WWDC keynote briefly showed off new performance improvements with faster app launches, smoother AirPlay connectivity, and a more responsive Control Center.
Additionally, smart downloads are also on the way, although we don’t know how they will work yet.
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