About Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation) software updates
Summary
Learn about changes in Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation) software updates version 4.1 and later.
Products Affected
Apple TV
Learn how to update Apple TV software.
Apple TV Software Update 5.1
| Shared Photo Streams | Accept invitations for Shared Photo Streams, browse photos and comments, and receive notifications of new content. |
| AirPlay | Send audio content from Apple TV to AirPlay-enabled speakers and devices (including AirPort Express and other Apple TVs). Also includes the ability to require an onscreen code to use AirPlay with your Apple TV. |
| iTunes account switching | Save multiple iTunes accounts and switch quickly between them. |
| Trailers | Search movie trailers. In the United States, see show times for local theaters. |
| Screen savers | New Cascade, Shrinking Tiles, and Sliding Panels screen savers. |
| Main menu | Reorder icons on the second page by holding down the select button on the remote. |
| Subtitles | SDH support for the deaf and hard-of-hearing as well as improvements to viewing and selecting subtitles. |
| Network configuration | Support for setting up advanced network options using configuration profiles. See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5437 for more information. |
| Stability and performance | Includes general performance and stability improvements. |
Apple TV Software Update 5.0.2
| Parental Controls | Addresses an issue which caused content restrictions to be incorrectly applied for the iTunes Store in Australia. |
Apple TV Software Update 5.0.1
| iTunes previews | Previews for movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store can now be viewed in HD. |
| AirPlay | Fixes an issue that caused some iOS apps to have trouble connecting via AirPlay. |
| Home Sharing | Improves the reliability of Home Sharing connections. |
| Netflix | Addresses an issue affecting Netflix login and navigation. |
| Stability and performance | Includes fixes for issues affecting stability and performance. |
Apple TV Software Update 5.0
| New interface | Fast, visual access to all content choices |
| Movie purchases in iCloud | Support for buying movies on Apple TV and playing back purchased movies from iCloud |
| Genius Recommendations | Recommendations for content on the iTunes Store based on previous rentals and purchases |
| Screensaver photos | New National Geographic photos built-in for screensaver |
| On-device sign-up | On-device sign up for content partners on Apple TV using your Apple ID |
Earlier versions
Apple TV Software Update 4.4.4
| Stability and performance | Apple TV software version 4.4.4 includes general performance and stability improvements, including a fix for an issue that displayed an error when playing some video content. |
Apple TV Software Update 4.4.3
| Netflix | Added support for Netflix in Mexico. |
| Audio output | Addresses an issue in which audio may not play through the optical port when the TV is turned off. |
Apple TV Software Update 4.4.2
| Software Update | Addresses an issue that required a small number of Apple TV units to be connected to iTunes in order to complete the update. |
Note: If you are updating to software update 4.4.2 from software update 4.4 or 4.4.1, please read this article before starting the update process.
Apple TV Software Update 4.4
| Photo Stream | View photos recently taken on your iOS device and pushed to your Photo Stream in iCloud. |
| AirPlay Mirroring | Wirelessly stream what's on your iPhone 4S or iPad 2 screen to your HDTV. |
| National Hockey League * | Watch live games. View highlights, scores, and more. |
| Wall Street Journal | Watch up-to-date news, business commentary, and financial analysis from leading experts. |
| New Slideshow themes | Enjoy your photos on your HDTV with new slideshow themes: Photo Wall, Flip-up, Shifting Tiles. |
| Netflix | Added support for subtitles when available. |
Note: Live and on-demand games require a NHL subscription. Blackouts apply. See nhl.com/appletv for details.
Apple TV Software Update 4.3
| TV show purchases | Purchase TV shows on Apple TV. Shows purchased on Apple TV can be re-downloaded on other iOS devices. Shows purchased on other iOS devices or with iTunes automatically show up as available to play on Apple TV. Feature limited by region. For additional information, please read this article. |
| Vimeo | Browse and watch millions of user-uploaded videos found on the Vimeo service, for free. |
Apple TV Software Update 4.2.2
| Audio | Addresses an issue in which audio is not output when playing some video content. |
| Video playback | Addresses an issue in which video is not displayed when playing some content. |
| Audio output setting | Adds an audio output setting for switching to 16-bit audio for compatibility with some TVs and AV receivers. |
| Live FF/RW improvements | Improves the performance of fast-forwarding and rewinding live events. |
| Movie description | Addresses an issue in which the description information is not displayed for some movies. |
| YouTube video order | Addresses an issue in which YouTube subscription videos were not ordered by date. |
Apple TV Software Update 4.2.1
| TV compatibility | Addresses issues that may cause the screen to flicker or display incorrect color on some older TVs. |
| Wake from sleep | Addresses an issue where Apple TV may not wake up from sleep. |
| Audio | Addresses an issue where audio may not be heard on some TV models after switching from another input. |
| Stability and performance | Apple TV Software Update 4.2.1 includes stability and performance fixes for Apple TV. |
Apple TV Software Update 4.2
| AirPlay for apps and websites | Wirelessly stream video from iOS apps and websites that are enabled for AirPlay, on an iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch running iOS 4.3. |
| MLB.TV* | Watch live and on-demand Major League Baseball games in HD with an MLB.TV subscription. Pause, rewind, fast-forward, and switch between the home and away broadcast. Even non-subscribers can access real-time MLB scores and in-game stats, plus see the full-season schedule, standings, and stats. (Live games are subject to blackouts. See www.mlb.com/appletv for details.) |
| NBA Game Time** | Watch live and on-demand games with an NBA League Pass Broadband subscription. Pause, rewind, and fast-forward both live and on-demand games. And non-subscribers can access real-time NBA scores and in-game stats, plus see the full-season schedule, standings, stats, and video highlights. (Live and archived games are subject to blackouts. See www.nba.com/appletv for details.) |
| Netflix Dolby Digital 5.1*** | Enjoy Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound when watching Netflix movies and TV shows on Apple TV. (Not available with all titles.) |
| New slideshow themes | View photos with the new Scrapbook, Photo Mobile, and Holiday Mobile slideshow themes or use as the Apple TV screensaver. |
| Improved on-screen keyboard | Search and enter names and passwords more easily with the redesigned on-screen keyboard. |
| AirPlay photo slideshow themes | All Apple TV photo slideshow themes are now available when using AirPlay to wirelessly send a photo slideshow from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to Apple TV. |
| HDMI color mode | Apple TV Software Update 4.2 includes a setting for changing the color mode output over HDMI. |
| Connectivity and performance fixes | Apple TV Software Update 4.2 includes performance and connectivity fixes for Apple TV. |
Notes
- * Live and on-demand games require a MLB.TV subscription. Blackouts apply. See mlb.com/appletv for details.
- ** Available in the United States. Live and on-demand games require NBA League Pass Broadband subscription. Blackouts apply. See nba.com/appletv for details.
- *** Not available with all titles. Netflix is available in the U.S. and Canada.