Want to try the latest tvOS features before everyone else? Apple runs a public beta program for tvOS, and unlike the old days, you don’t need a Mac or a USB cable to install it. In this guide, you’ll register for the beta, enable beta updates on your Apple TV, and install the tvOS 16 public beta — plus which models are supported and the one big warning to read first.
Before you start: the beta warning
Beta software can be unstable: apps may crash, features may break, and performance quirks are normal. There’s one more thing specific to Apple TV: Apple TV cannot be backed up. If an update fails or you want to go back, you can’t restore a backup — you’ll have to set up your apps and content again from scratch. If your Apple TV is the household’s main entertainment box, think twice before enrolling it.
Step-by-step: install the tvOS 16 public beta
- Register for the beta program. On any device with a browser, go to beta.apple.com and sign in with the same Apple ID that’s signed in on your Apple TV. Open the tvOS section and confirm your participation — MacRumors keeps a running overview of what’s new in each tvOS beta if you want a preview first.
- Open Software Updates on your Apple TV. Go to Settings > System > Software Updates.
- Enable beta updates. Select “Get Public Beta Updates” and turn it on. The tvOS 16 beta should appear as an available update.
- Install tvOS 16. Select the update and install it. Your Apple TV will restart a couple of times — don’t unplug it.
- Optional: turn on automatic updates. In the same Software Updates screen, enable “Automatically Update” so future betas install on their own. Apple Support documents these update settings for Apple TV, and 9to5Mac regularly reports on each new tvOS beta release.
Supported Apple TV models
The tvOS 16 public beta supports these models:
- Apple TV HD (4th generation, 2015)
- Apple TV 4K, 1st generation (2017)
- Apple TV 4K, 2nd generation (2021)
If your box isn’t on this list, the beta won’t be offered.
Related guides
Managing beta software across your devices? Read how to completely block iOS 26 updates on iPhone if you ever want to stop betas from appearing, and how to turn off all SharePlay features on iPhone for a quieter Apple TV experience.
If it still doesn’t work
If “Get Public Beta Updates” doesn’t appear, double-check that the Apple TV is signed in with the exact Apple ID you used at beta.apple.com, and that you confirmed participation in the tvOS section. A restart of the Apple TV (Settings > System > Restart) often makes the option appear. If the download stalls, check your network connection and available storage, and try again later — beta servers are busiest right after a new release.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Mac to install the tvOS beta?
No. The public beta installs over the air directly from Settings > System > Software Updates. The old method of restoring via a Mac and USB cable was only for developer betas on older models.
Can I go back to the stable tvOS?
There’s no simple “leave beta” button that keeps your data. Because Apple TV can’t be backed up, returning to the release version means resetting and setting up your apps and content again from scratch.
Conclusion
Installing the tvOS 16 public beta is refreshingly simple: register at beta.apple.com, flip one switch in Software Updates, and install. Just respect the warning — beta software on a device that can’t be backed up deserves a moment of thought. If you’re comfortable with that, enjoy the new features weeks before everyone else.
