Apple TV 4K (1st Generation) Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Article ID = 195
Article Title = Apple TV 4K (1st Generation) Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 12th September 2017
Article Last Updated = 17th September 2023 • updated 6 days ago
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?195

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about the Apple TV 4K (1st Generation)

Q. When was the Apple TV 4K (1st Generation) launched?

A. The Apple TV 4K (1st Generation) was announced on the 12th September 2017 with pre-orders starting on 15th September 2017 and it started shipping on the 22nd September 2017. It is no longer available to buy from Apple having been replaced with a 2nd Generation model in 2021.

Q. What's different about the Apple TV 4K (1st 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 were two models - one with 32GB of storage and the other with 64GB.

Q. Is the Apple TV HD still available?

A. Yes - but only with 32GB. It can be purchased online from Apple.

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 (£55 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 Apple TV 4K (1st Generation) still support AirPlay?

A. Yes.

Q. Do I need a 4K compatible TV to watch 4K content?

A. Apple TV 4K (1st Generation) 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?

Q. Will Amazon Prime 4K content be available?

A. Yes.

Q. Will YouTube 4K content be available?

A. Yes, but you must be running tvOS 14 or later.

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 Apple "TV" app work in European countries?

A. Yes.

Q. Is the BBC iPlayer service available on the Apple TV 4K (1st Generation) in the UK?

A. Yes it is

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 4K (1st Generation)?

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:

SteelSeries Nimbus - coming soon…
Mad Catz C.T.R.L.i - buy it now at
SteelSeries Stratus XL - buy it now at
Hori HoriPad - buy it now at
SteelSeries Stratus - buy it now at
Gamevice for iPad mini - buy it now at
Gamevice for iPhone 6 - buy it now at
Gamevice for iPad Air - coming soon…
MOGA Rebel MFi - buy it now at
Mad Catz Micro C.T.R.L.i - buy it now at
MOGA Ace Power - buy it now at
Logitech PowerShell - buy it now at

NOTE:

not

Ion iCade Mobile - buy it now at

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 (1st Generation)?

A. Yes, there's an official Apple app

Q. Does the Apple TV 4K (1st Generation) have it's own operating system?

A. Yes - it's called "tvOS".

tvOS 17 was released on 18th September 2023.

tvOS 17 includes the following new features:

FaceTime on Apple TV - use your iPhone/iPad as a camera and start a call directly from the FaceTime app on Apple TV, or hand off the call from your iPhone/iPad to your TV - requires Apple TV 4K 2nd generation or later
Smart profile switching
Supports Memories created by the Photos app
Support for Dolby Vision 8.1 content
Install and use third-party VPN apps
Control Center redesign
New screensavers

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Some of this information is derived from Apple's publically available web page.

tvOS 16 was released on 12th September 2022.
the tvOS 16.6 bug fix/security update was released on 24th July 2023.
the tvOS 16.5 bug fix/security update was released on 18th May 2023.
the tvOS 16.4.1 bug fix update (for Apple TV 4K models only) was released on 12th April 2023.
the tvOS 16.4 bug fix/security update was released on 27th March 2023.
the tvOS 16.3.3 bug fix update was released on 6th March 2023.
the tvOS 16.3.2 bug fix/security update was released on 13th February 2023.
the tvOS 16.3.1 bug fix update was released on 6th February 2023.
the tvOS 16.3 bug fix/security update was released on 24th January 2023.
the tvOS 16.2 bug fix/security update was released on 13th December 2022.
the tvOS 16.1.1 bug fix update was released on 16th November 2022.
the tvOS 16.1 bug fix/security update was released on 24th October 2022.

tvOS 16 includes the following new features:

Cross-device connectivity
Multi-user improvements
Nintendo Switch controllers compatibility (Nintendo Joy-Cons and the Nintendo Pro Controller)
HDR10+ support
Video forward featuring on the Apple TV+ tab
Apple Fitness+
Support for the Matter standard - available with the tvOS 16.1 update and later

tvOS 16.1 and 16.2 includes the following new features:

Siri visual redesign
Siri voice recognition for up to 6 family members
Users wearing AirPods will be able to say "Hey Siri"
Siri on tvOS is now supported in Denmark, Luxembourg, Singapore, Chile, Finland, and South Africa

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Some of this information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.

the tvOS 15.6 bug fix and security update was released on 20th July 2022.
the tvOS 15.5 bug fix and security update was released on 16th May 2022.
the tvOS 15.4.1 bug fix update was released on 31st March 2022.
the tvOS 15.4 bug fix, new features and security update was released on 14th March 2022.
the tvOS 15.3 bug fix and security update was released on 26th January 2022.
the tvOS 15.2 bug fix, new features and security update was released on 13th December 2021.
the tvOS 15.1.1 bug fix update was released on 1st November 2021.
the tvOS 15.1 bug fix, new features and security update was released on 25th October 2021.
tvOS 15 was released on 20th September 2021.

Spatial Audio
FaceTime SharePlay - requires the tvOS 15.1 update or later
Group Workouts in Fitness - requires the tvOS 15.1 update or later
Apple Music Voice Plan support - requires the tvOS 15.2 update or later
Enhanced Memories in Photos - requires the tvOS 15.2 update or later
New Store screen in the Apple TV app - requires the tvOS 15.2 update or later
Support for captive Wi-Fi networks - requires the tvOS 15.4 update or later‌
Support for authorising purchases on the ‌Apple TV‌ using an Apple Watch - requires the tvOS 15.4 update or later‌
Ability to display HomeKit cameras in Picture in Picture mode while watching TV - requires the tvOS 15.4 update or later‌

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Some of this information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.

the tvOS 14.7 bug fix/security update was released on 19th July 2021.
the tvOS 14.6 feature/bug fix/security update was released on 24th May 2021.
the tvOS 14.5 security/bug fix update was released on 26th April 2021.
the tvOS 14.4 security/bug fix update was released on 26th January 2021.
the tvOS 14.3 feature/bug fix/security update was released on 14th December 2020.
the tvOS 14.2 security/bug fix update was released on 5th November 2020.
the tvOS 14.0.2 bug fix update was released on 5th October 2020.
the tvOS 14.0.1 bug fix update was released on 24th September 2020.
tvOS 14 was released on 16th September 2020.

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
Expanded controller support - Xbox Series X S Wireless Controller and Sony PS5 DualSenseTM Wireless Controller - tvOS 14.5 or later required
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 4K 1st+2nd Generation models only)
Support for 4K YouTube videos (Apple TV 4K 1st+2nd Generation models only)
Support for Fitness+ - tvOS 14.3 or later required (initially, only UK and Ireland in Europe)
Frame rate options of 29.97Hz and 59.94Hz instead of 30Hz/60Hz - tvOS 14.5 or later required
Siri remote voice control for Austria, Ireland and New Zealand - tvOS 14.5 or later required
New Colour Balance feature - ‌tvOS 14.5 or later + an iPhone‌ with Face ID required
Support for Spatial Audio + Lossless Audio streaming - ‌tvOS 14.6 or later required

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Some of this information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.

the tvOS 13.4.8 security update was released on 15th July 2020.
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.

New home screen
New Control Center
Multi-user support
Apple Music includes live lyric display sync
New game controller support - specifically: Xbox One S + PlayStation 4 DualShock

NOTE

official instructions for connecting game controllers to your Apple TV online

New underwater/ocean screensavers

NOTE: Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Some of 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 12.2.1 bug fix/security update was released on 10th April 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.
the tvOS 12.1 bug fix/security update was released on 30th October 2018
the tvOS 12.0.1 bug fix was released on 24th September 2018
tvOS 12 was released on 17th September 2018.

Dolby Atmos (Apple TV 4K 1st Generation 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. Some of 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.

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. Some of this information is derived from Apple's publically available release notes.

Article Keywords: AppleTV Apple TV 4K (1st Generation) 4K 2160p HDR10 Dolby Vision tvOS tvOS11 tvOS12 tvOS13 tvOS14 tvOS15 tvOS16 tvOS17

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