- Apple ditches 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
- While they will support the update, they are unlikely to get AI integrations
Apple showed off a bunch of upgrades at WWDC 2026, and while tvOS 27 didn’t get its own segment during the keynote, Apple hasn’t left it out of the equation — but it will cut some models out of the upcoming 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’re not getting the tvOS 27 treatment.
However, these devices will still continue to run tvOS 26. If you own the second-generation Apple TV 4K (2021), or one of the two iterations of the third-generation Apple TV 4K (2022), these devices will support tvOS 27.
You can also check if your device is compatible with tvOS 27 by checking the model numbers below:
- Fourth generation Apple TV HD (A1625)
- First generation Apple TV 4K (A1842)
- Second generation Apple TV 4K (A2169)
- Third generation Apple TV 4K (A2843)
- Third generation Apple TV 4K (A2737)
Generally, Apple has kept most of its streaming devices in the loop with each update, but this is the first time in four years that the company has removed Apple TV hardware from a major OS upgrade.
It’s a bit of a shame for users who are still going strong with their devices from 10 years ago, and it’s a similar case for Apple Watches that have been dropped from watchOS 27.
It’s also a bit of a downer to see this happen while so many old iPhone models are getting iOS 27, but there’s probably a valid reason why Apple cut its old streaming devices out of the mix.
The main upgrades across Apple’s OS 27 update are its array of Apple Intelligence-powered features and the new Siri AI voice assistant, tools that are unlikely to be supported by hardware that came out 10 years ago. Therefore, tvOS 26 is as far as Apple can go with its 2015 and 2017 devices.
But while second- and third-generation Apple TV 4K streamers will support a handful of new tvOS 27 features, it looks like they’ll be excluded from getting AI upgrades, again due to hardware incompatibility (it runs on Apple’s A15 bionic chip).
With speculation of a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K expected to launch later this year, we can only assume that the next-generation Apple TV 4K will be the first native streaming device for Apple’s new AI integrations.
Before you get too disappointed by this, that’s not to say that the second and third generation Apple TV 4K devices are bereft of brand new features. While AI integrations likely won’t be on the cards for these models, Apple’s WWDC keynote briefly showed new performance boosts 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 these will work yet.
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