New Apple TV may receive up to a decade of software support
Apple does not promise how long its streaming boxes will receive updates, but past models suggest the new $299 Apple TV 4K could get around eight to 10 years of major software support. That track record matters to buyers weighing the high price against how long the device may remain secure and compatible with apps.
The Apple TV HD from 2015 and the first 4K model from 2017 received tvOS 26 in 2025, but neither can run tvOS 27, released in September 2026. Netflix still supports both, though app compatibility may change; Apple has not confirmed further security patches for them. The new model arrives on 13 November with an A19 chip and hands-free Siri, while Siri AI will also work on 2021 Apple TV 4K models and newer.
In short
- Apple has not guaranteed a support lifespan for its TV boxes.
- Older models received eight to 10 years of major updates.
- Replace a box when performance, security or app support becomes an issue.
Explained simply
Apple TV is Apple’s set-top box: it connects to a television and runs apps for streaming films, programmes and other services. Its software, called tvOS, brings new features and helps keep apps working, while the box’s chip affects how well it can run newer software.
Apple has not set a public timetable for updates, so buyers look to older models for clues. The 2015 Apple TV HD and 2017 4K model received tvOS 26 in 2025, but cannot run tvOS 27; Netflix still supports them, though app support can change.
For buyers, the length of software support affects how long a device may remain secure and compatible with services, and how its price compares with replacing it sooner. Apple’s past update record offers a guide, but does not guarantee how long any particular model will receive updates.
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Originally published by Engadget as “How long is a new Apple TV actually supposed to last?”.