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Apple TV 4K (Generation 5) Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Article ID = 195
Article Title = Apple TV 4K (Generation 5) Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 12th September 2017
Article Last Updated = 23rd June 2020
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?195

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about the Apple TV (Generation 5)
Q. When was the Apple TV 4K (generation 5) launched?
A. The Apple TV 4K (generation 5) was announced on the 12th September 2017 with pre-orders on 15th September 2017 and it started shipping on the 22nd September 2017.
Q. What's different about the 4K 5th generation model versus the older models?
A. Quite a lot:
  • Faster processor (A10X)
  • 2160p video output (4K)
  • Dolby Vision and HDR10 support
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • 802.11ac Wi‑Fi with MIMO; simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • HDMI v2.0a
Q. What models are available?
A. There are two models - one with 32GB of storage and the other with 64GB.
Q. Is the Apple TV (generation 4) still available?
A. Yes - but only with 32GB.
Q. What happens if I lose/break the remote control?
Q. Can you buy extra remotes e.g. for multi=player gaming?
A. Yes. They are available direct from Apple (£59 in the UK).
Q. Does the Siri remote control require a battery/charging?
A. The Siri remote has a built in battery that requires charging but it should last several months without needing to be charged. When it does need to be charged it has a lightning connector so it can easily be charged using a standard Apple USB to lightning cable and charger.
Q. Does the new Apple TV still support AirPlay?
A. Yes.
Q. Do I need a 4K compatible TV to watch 4K content?
A. Apple TV will scale down 4K content if you don't have a 4K TV but to get the proper higher quality benefit of 4K content you must have a 4K compatible TV.
Q. Can I buy 4K content on iTunes?
A. Yes - Apple stated that the cost is the same as normal HD content.
Q. I've previously bought film/TV content on iTunes. Is there an upgrade for the same content in 4K?
A. Yes - Apple stated that any previously purchased iTunes content that becomes available in 4K will automatically be made available to previous purchasers free of charge.
Q. Will Netflix 4K content be available?
A. Yes.
Q. Will Amazon Prime 4K content be available?
A. Yes, when the Amazon Prime app launches.
Q. Will YouTube 4K content be available?
A. No. YouTube streams 4K content using a video format "VP9" - this is a codec that the Apple TV does not support.
Q. Can I download 4K content to play at a later time?
A. No. 4K content needs a minimum 25Mb/s download speed because the content bitrates/file sizes are so large - for this reason 4K content is streamed and not downloaded/stored on the Apple TV device.
Q. Does the TV app work in European countries?
A. Apple stated that it is coming to France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and the UK by the end of 2017.
Q. Is the BBC iPlayer service available on the new Apple TV in the UK?
A. Yes it is Buy it now on the iOS App Store
Q. I've seen various web sites, articles, videos that show programmes/TV/films that do not appear to be available on my Apple TV?
A. Apps, streaming services, TV programmes and films are all region specific. Some of them may not be available in the country where you are located.
Q. I've heard there are Made For iOS (MFi) game controllers. What's available?
A. We've put together a list:
    NOTE: Check iPhone/iPad/iPod touch model and iOS / Apple TV and tvOS version compatibility before purchasing.
  • SteelSeries Nimbus - coming soon…
  • Mad Catz C.T.R.L.i - buy it now at Buy it now at Amazon UK Buy it now at Amazon USA
  • SteelSeries Stratus XL - buy it now at Buy it now at Amazon UK Buy it now at Amazon USA
  • Hori HoriPad - buy it now at Buy it now at Amazon UK Buy it now at Amazon USA
  • SteelSeries Stratus - buy it now at Buy it now at Amazon UK Buy it now at Amazon USA
  • Gamevice for iPad mini - buy it now at Buy it now at Amazon UK Buy it now at Amazon USA
  • Gamevice for iPhone 6 - buy it now at Buy it now at Amazon USA
  • Gamevice for iPad Air - coming soon…
  • MOGA Rebel MFi - buy it now at Buy it now at Amazon UK Buy it now at Amazon USA
  • Mad Catz Micro C.T.R.L.i - buy it now at Buy it now at Amazon UK Buy it now at Amazon USA
  • MOGA Ace Power - buy it now at Buy it now at Amazon UK Buy it now at Amazon USA
  • Logitech PowerShell - buy it now at Buy it now at Amazon UK Buy it now at Amazon USA
    • NOTE: The iCade Mobile game controller below is not an Apple certified Made For iOS (MFi) controller but it does work with many specialist games on iPhone/iPad/iPod touch and is very popular so we have listed it below for reference:
  • Ion iCade Mobile - buy it now at Buy it now at Amazon UK Buy it now at Amazon USA
Q. With my older Apple TVs I used to use my iPhone/iPad/iPod touch as a "remote control" with the Apple Remote iOS app. Does this work with the Apple TV 4K (generation 5)?
A. Yes, there's a new app Buy it now on the iOS App Store
Q. Does the new Apple TV have it's own operating system?
A. Yes - it's called "tvOS".

tvOS 14 was officially announced at Apple's WWDC online virtual event on 22nd June 2020. The first Developer Preview was made available on 22nd June 2020. The consumer edition of tvOS 14 will be available in the autumn of 2020 probably September or October. New features of note, that are currently listed by Apple, include:
  • Redesigned Control Center including direct control of HomeKit accessories
  • Support for multiple users for Apple Arcade games
  • Expanded Xbox controller support - Microsoft Elite 2 + Adaptive Xbox One
  • Audio Sharing for simultaneously connecting two sets of AirPods
  • Picture-in-picture support "across the entire Apple TV experience" including camera feeds and monitoring for HomeKit-enabled security cameras
  • AirPlay improvement - stream 4K resolution videos from iOS and iPadOS (Apple TV 5th generation only)
  • Support for 4K YouTube videos (Apple TV 5th generation only)
NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas.



the tvOS 13.4.6 security update was released on 1st June 2020.
the tvOS 13.4.5 bug fix/security update was released on 20th May 2020.
the tvOS 13.4 bug fix/security update was released on 24th March 2020.
the tvOS 13.3.1 bug fix/security update was released on 28th January 2020.
the tvOS 13.3 bug fix/security update was released on 10th December 2019.
the tvOS 13.2 bug fix/security update was released on 28th October 2019.
tvOS 13 was released on 24th September 2019 and included: NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. This information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.


the tvOS 12.4.1 security update was released on 26th August 2019.
the tvOS 12.4 feature/bug fix/security update was released on 22nd July 2019.
the tvOS 12.3 feature/bug fix/security update was released on 13th May 2019.
the tvOS 12.2 bug fix/security update was released on 25th March 2019.
the tvOS 12.1.2 bug fix/security update was released on 21st January 2019.
the tvOS 12.1.1 bug fix/security update was released on 5th December 2018.
tvOS 12.1 bug fix/security update was released on 30th October 2018
tvOS 12.0.1 bug fix was released on 24th September 2018
tvOS 12 was released on 17th September 2018 and included:
  • Dolby Atmos (probably Apple TV generation 5 4K models only)
  • "Single sign-on" upgraded to "zero sign-on"
  • Securely AutoFill passwords from iPhone and iPad to Apple TV to easily sign in to Apple TV apps
  • Apple TV Remote will be automatically added to Control Center on iPhone or iPad for Apple TV users
  • Support for third-party home control systems - Control4, Crestron and Savant
  • New Aerial screensavers
NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. This information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.


the tvOS 11.4.1 bug fix/security update was released on 9th July 2018.
the tvOS 11.4 bug fix/security update was released on 29th May 2018.
the tvOS 11.3 bug fix/security update was released on 29th March 2018.
the tvOS 11.2.6 bug fix/security update was released on 19th February 2018.
the tvOS 11.2.5 bug fix/security update was released on 23rd January 2018.
the tvOS 11.2.1 bug fix/security update was released on 14th December 2017.
the tvOS 11.2 bug fix/security update was released on 4th December 2017.
the tvOS 11.1 bug fix/security update was released on 31st October 2017.
tvOS 11 was released on 19th September 2017 and included:
  • Home screen syncing
  • Automatic switching between light and dark mode based on local time. On your Apple TV go to Settings > General > Appearance > select "Automatic"
  • Full support for AirPods
  • AirPlay 2 support
  • New background modes and notification support
  • iOS Control Center support - iOS 11 or later required. Add your Apple TV and setup via Settings app > Control Center on your iOS device.
NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. This information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.


For more FAQ, especially about tvOS, see our Apple TV (generation 4) article.

Article Keywords: AppleTV Apple TV gen generation 5 tvOS tvOS11 tvOS12 4K 2160p HDR10 Dolby Vision

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