Apple has just released tvOS 18.4 alongside iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4. This release brings a series of thoughtful enhancements that focus on streamlining user interactions and improving overall performance on both the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models. While tvOS updates have typically been modest, this build stands out with its refined user interface and expanded smart home integration, ensuring that your viewing experience is more intuitive and engaging than ever.
One of the standout changes in tvOS 18.4 is the updated Apple TV app interface. The featured title carousel now includes a large plus button for quickly adding titles to your Watchlist, an enhanced information button that provides easy access to show details, and more prominent display of release schedules. These adjustments may seem small, but they collectively simplify navigation and make it easier for users to find and organize their favorite content. The visual updates extend beyond the carousel with refined fonts and icons that bring a fresh, modern look to various content sections such as Movies Spotlight, Sports, and Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV+.
The update also brings new smart home functionalities, allowing users to control Matter-compatible robotic vacuums through Siri commands and the Home app, seamlessly integrating home automation into the tvOS ecosystem.
Additionally, the update incorporates the new ChatKit framework, hinting at Apple’s plans to expand messaging capabilities across its devices. Although iMessages are not yet available on the Apple TV or HomePod, the inclusion of ChatKit suggests that Apple is laying the groundwork for future smart home or communication features. Combined with other subtle improvements like the rebranded video player “Clips” section and refined tab navigation in the Apple TV app, tvOS 18.4 is set to deliver a more dynamic and user-centric experience.
