iOS Ref

tvOS version by device

tvOS is an iOS-based operating system for Apple TV. Information about which Apple TVs are vintage/obsolete was obtained from this page.

Apple TV with tvOS

Device Released First tvOS Max tvOS
Apple TV 4K (gen 3) 2022 16 16
Apple TV 4K (gen 2) 2021 14
Apple TV 4K (gen 1) 2017 11
Apple TV HD 1 2015 9

1 Apple TV HD was known as the fourth generation Apple TV, before a rebranding in 2021.

Other iOS-based Apple TVs

The second and third Apple TV ran a more stripped-down version of iOS known as “Apple TV Software”.

Device Released First Apple TV Software Max Apple TV Software
Apple TV (gen 3) Obsolete 2012 5 (≈ iOS 5) 7 (≈ iOS 8)
Apple TV (gen 2) Obsolete 2010 4 (≈ iOS 4) 6 (≈ iOS 7)

Other Apple TVs

The first Apple TV ran a modified version of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, also called “Apple TV Software”.

Device Released First Apple TV Software Max Apple TV Software
Apple TV (gen 1) Obsolete 2007 1 (≈ OS X 10.4) 3 (≈ OS X 10.4)

See also