Apple TV upgrades to Thread 1.4 with tvOS 26 beta

Apple just closed its developer event, WWDC 25, with announcements of the next generation of its software, including tvOS 26.

tvOS, which runs on Apple TV boxes and HomePods, acts as the home hub for Apple, supporting both the Matter controller and Thread Border Router. 

The new developer beta of tvOS 26 shows evidence that Apple has upgraded Apple TV with the latest Thread specifications, hopefully bringing better performance and major new features.

Thread Border Routers usually broadcast essential information via mDNS technologies. Matter Alpha spotted that the updated Apple TV 4K runs a Thread Border Router with the “tv” key as 1.4, which refers to the version of the Thread spec. In comparison, a HomePod running software 18.5 is still on 1.3.

What could be coming?

In addition to general bug fixes and performance improvements, the introduction of Thread 1.4 signals Apple’s plan to include more features from the recent spec. One of the most important is improved credentials sharing.

This feature would make sharing Thread network information easier across ecosystems. In ideal conditions, there would be a user interface and guides to generate ephemeral codes and share them with third parties safely, working much like the multi-admin feature of Matter devices.

Another key feature is that Thread 1.4 allows better coverage with Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections. This means your Thread network could be more flexible for home spaces where its signals barely reach.

Moreover, the new spec aims to improve onboarding and troubleshooting by providing a more standardized data structure, which is useful for diagnosing connectivity issues when they occur.

Meanwhile, as Thread Border Router becomes a Matter device type, it is still unclear if Apple plans to further integrate its in-house network infrastructure into the Matter standard.

Since HomePods use a fork of tvOS, the upcoming HomePod software 26 could also bring the same upgrade.

Other features with tvOS 26

As part of the big announcement, tvOS features a brand-new look called Fluid Glass Design. Apple TV now includes a quick control section for Home scenes and security cameras, along with this fresh new design.

Apart from the smart home, tvOS 26 brings lyrics translation, a new singing feature for Apple Music, permanent AirPlay speaker connections, and more.

How to get it

To test out the new Thread capabilities, you’ll need an Apple TV 4K (2nd gen) or Apple TV 4K (3rd gen, 128 GB). You can follow the guide provided by BetaProfiles or, alternatively, the official guide from Apple.

(Source: Apple)