- Apple removes Apple TV HD (2015) and Apple TV 4K (2017) from tvOS 27
- Second and third generation Apple TV 4Ks will be eligible for the update
- Although they support updating, they are unlikely to benefit from AI integrations.
Apple showed off a number of upgrades at WWDC 2026, and although tvOS 27 didn’t have its own segment during the keynote, Apple didn’t leave it out, 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 get the tvOS 27 treatment.
However, these devices will 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)
Typically, Apple has kept most of its streaming devices up to date with every update, but this is the first time in four years that the company has removed Apple TV hardware from a major operating system upgrade.
It’s a bit of a shame for users who are still using their devices from 10 years ago, and it’s a similar case for Apple Watches which were removed from watchOS 27.
It’s also a bit depressing to see this happening when so many older iPhone models are receiving iOS 27, but there’s probably a valid reason why Apple removed its older streaming devices from the mix.
The main upgrades in Apple’s OS 27 update are its many Apple Intelligence-based features and the new Siri AI voice assistant, tools that likely won’t be supported by hardware released 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 support a handful of new tvOS 27 features, it appears they won’t be able to benefit from the AI upgrades, again due to a hardware incompatibility (they run on Apple’s A15 bionic chip).
With speculation looming over a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, scheduled 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 completely deprived of new features. While AI integrations likely aren’t planned 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 yet know how they will work.
Follow TechRadar on Google News And add us as your favorite source to get our news, reviews and expert opinions in your feeds.
