tvOS 26.4: Three new changes are coming for Apple TV 4K

Source: 9to5Mac

tvOS 26.4 is currently in beta testing, with a launch expected next month. Here are three new changes that tvOS 26.4 will bring for Apple TV 4K users.

#1: Customizing how subtitles look

In tvOS 26.4, Apple is making it easier to change the look of subtitles used in the Apple TV app and more.

Subtitle customization, previously hidden in Accessibility, is now inside the native video player. When toggling subtitles on or off in the Apple TV app, a new Style menu option appears.

Available subtitle styles

• Classic
• Large Text
• Outline Text
• Transparent Background

A Manage Styles button opens the Accessibility settings screen, where you can create your own custom subtitle style.

Any app that uses the default tvOS video player will benefit from the feature. Many streaming apps use their own player, so the Apple TV app may be the primary place you notice this change.

#2: Continuous Audio Connection

tvOS 26.4 introduces a new Continuous Audio Connection option located in Settings → Video and Audio → Audio Format, under the HDMI Output heading.

The feature may have been added to improve compatibility with Sonos speakers, though its impact should be broader. Apple describes the toggle as:

Apple TV uses a Dolby MAT connection for seamless transitions across formats. Older receivers might indicate Atmos, but the original audio will play as intended.

If you’ve encountered issues with your Apple TV audio setup, turning on Continuous Audio Connection might help.

#3: No more Movies and TV Shows iTunes apps

Apple’s gradual migration of legacy iTunes apps into the TV app is finally complete with tvOS 26.4. The update removes the standalone Movies and TV Shows apps.

Most of the basic functionality of these apps has been available inside the TV app for years, so the change is unsurprising. One feature users might miss, however, is the iTunes Wish List.

Apple recently began notifying iTunes users that the store’s Wish List feature would be discontinued. The recommended solution is to save those Wish List items to the TV app’s Watchlist. The Watchlist isn’t exactly the same as an iTunes Wish List, so if you still have items saved there, now is a good time to transition them before tvOS 26.4 launches.

Best Apple TV 4K accessories

• AirPods Pro 3 (limited‑time $229 price)
• Anti‑slip silicone case for Siri Remote, AirTag compatible
• TotalMount for mounting Apple TV
• iPhone Continuity Camera mount for Apple TV

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