Apple Music subscribers who use an Apple TV to stream music are getting a meaningful audio upgrade this fall.
With tvOS 27, Apple is adding Hi-Res Lossless Audio support to Apple TV 4K, raising the ceiling from 24-bit/48kHz to 24-bit/192kHz for users connected to compatible external speakers.
For context, Hi-Res Lossless is the highest audio tier Apple Music offers, and until now, Apple TV could not take full advantage of it.
iPhone and iPad users with the right headphones or DAC hardware have had access to that ceiling for years. Apple TV lagged behind, but tvOS 27 closes that gap.
Apple confirmed in its WWDC newsroom post that subscribers with compatible external speaker outputs will be able to hear Apple Music at studio quality directly through Apple TV 4K.
That means anyone running their Apple TV through a stereo receiver, a high-quality soundbar with the right connections, or an external DAC stands to hear a real difference in audio resolution when streaming music.
AutoMix Comes to the Living Room
tvOS 27 also brings AutoMix to Apple TV for the first time. The feature, which debuted on iPhone with iOS 26, blends tracks together continuously so there are no hard stops between songs.
Apple describes the effect as similar to a DJ set, with transitions designed to keep the music flowing without interruption.
For anyone who uses an Apple TV as the audio hub during a dinner party or gathering, AutoMix removes one of the more noticeable friction points of streaming music through a television setup.
The abrupt silence between tracks has been a persistent quirk of using Apple TV as a music player. However, that will change with this update.
Not Every Apple TV Will Get the Update
tvOS 27 drops support for two older models. The Apple TV HD and the first-generation Apple TV 4K, which launched in 2017, will not receive the update.
Only the second-generation Apple TV 4K, released in 2021, and the third-generation model from 2022 onward are compatible.
This marks the first time in several years that Apple has cut off Apple TV hardware from a new software release.
Beyond the audio changes, tvOS 27 also includes a redesigned Podcast app, faster AirPlay connection speeds, and expanded font size options in Accessibility Settings.
Apple has not announced a specific release date, but tvOS updates typically ship alongside iOS in September. The software is currently in developer beta.
