This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.
With the launch of iOS 26 and tvOS 26, Apple is bringing a new design to the TV app. The visual and functional changes are based on the new cross-platform design style called "Liquid Glass." The app has been redesigned in several areas – from the posters to the player controls. The focus is on greater clarity, a modern look, and a more dense content display.
The Apple TV app has grown significantly over the past year, not least due to the success of Apple TV+ productions like Slow Horses and The Morning Show. The new design update for iOS 26 and tvOS 26 comes at just the right time. The app is designed to not only look more modern but also be more efficient to use. Apple's goal here is to make content easier to access while simultaneously improving the visual experience.
Liquid Glass as a new UI concept
Liquid Glass is the central design element of the update. These transparent user interfaces float above the actual content. This display is used, for example, in the iOS tab bar and in the video player controls. The advantage is that content is no longer obscured by UI elements when navigating or during playback. The controls remain visible but do not distract from the actual content.
Vertical posters replace previous artwork
A large part of the visual redesign concerns the presentation of content. The previously used horizontal artwork has been replaced with vertical posters. This layout not only looks more modern, but also offers practical advantages. More series and films can be displayed on the screen simultaneously. This increases content density and improves navigation within the app.
New app icon and redesigned interface
The Apple TV app icon has also been updated. It now better aligns with the new iOS 26 design. The entire app interface has been redesigned to better integrate with the system design. All UI elements follow the new design language, with smoother transitions, more transparency, and a clearer structure.
New controls in the video player
A concrete example of the Liquid Glass aesthetic is the redesigned video player elements. When playing series or movies, the controls no longer appear as a fixed bar, but as floating buttons above the screen. This allows the content to remain visible even when the controls are displayed. This makes operation more intuitive and less disruptive to the viewing experience.
Better use of screen space
The new layout makes better use of the available screen space. The new design appears cleaner and more structured, especially on large displays, such as the Apple TV itself. The update also ensures that content is displayed more efficiently and navigation feels smoother on iPhones and iPads.
Apple TV app becomes more modern and efficient
With the update to iOS 26 and tvOS 26, the Apple TV app receives a sophisticated and functional redesign. Liquid Glass provides a modern look and clearer user interface. The switch to vertical posters and the revised app layout bring more content onto the screen at once. The new player controls improve the viewing experience without obscuring content. In summary, the update isn't a radical redesign, but rather a logical step toward aligning the TV app visually and functionally with the current standards in the Apple ecosystem. The best products for you: Our Amazon Storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / Mehaniq)
- iOS 26: All the new features and highlights of the Podcasts app
- iOS 26: How Apple fundamentally changes the phone app
- iOS 26: Everything about the new home screen with Liquid Glass
- iOS 26: All the new features around the Liquid Glass design
- iOS 26: 7 exciting AirPods features at a glance
- iOS 26: Everything you need to know about the new FaceTime features
- Genmoji in iOS 26: Apple gives the feature a major update
- iOS 26: Everything about the new games app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
- iOS 26: The most important new features in the Photos app
- iOS 26: Beats and AirPods automatically pause when you sleep
- iOS 26: All Apple Music innovations at a glance
- iOS 26 expands the functionality of the HomePod
- Image Playground gets significantly better with iOS 26
- iOS 26 brings new screenshot features to the iPhone
- iOS 26: Five new lock screen features at a glance
- iOS 26 design change: Reduce transparency easily
- iOS 26: Create your own ringtones – without GarageBand
- iOS 26: All the new features for Notes and Reminders
- Apple's new Siri could be worth the wait
FAQs about the Apple TV app update in iOS 26 and tvOS 26
Apple has comprehensively redesigned the TV app in iOS 26. New features include a fresh app icon, vertical movie posters, Liquid Glass design, and redesigned player controls.
Liquid Glass is a new, transparent UI design from Apple. It ensures that menus and controls no longer distract from the actual content, but float above it.
The new layout displays more content simultaneously. Navigation is clearer, controls more intuitive, and the viewing experience is less interrupted.
Yes, the new design of the Apple TV app is part of tvOS 26 and will therefore also be visible directly on Apple TV devices.
The changes apply exclusively to devices running iOS 26 and tvOS 26—iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV. Other platforms are not affected.
Apple has modernized the TV app icon. It visually aligns with the new iOS 26 design and appears cleaner and more minimalist.
Vertical posters are replacing the previous horizontal artwork because they display more content in a smaller space and are closer to the style of movie series.
With this update, Apple significantly improves the viewing experience: less distraction from UI elements, clearer structure, and faster access to content.
The new design of the Apple TV app will be rolled out with the official release of iOS 26 and tvOS 26 in September.
No, the new design applies to the TV app in general. It's independent of whether you have an Apple TV+ subscription or not.
