App Store on iOS Begins Identifying Apps With Universal Support for Apple TV

Apple appears to be rolling out a new feature in its App Store on iOS to note when an app available on iOS is universally compatible with the fourth generation Apple TV. As pointed out by iFun.de [Google Translate], the new feature is still in the early phases, as universal compatibility with the Apple TV is currently marked as "SF.UniversalAppleTV" rather than a simple "Apple TV" title as is used for Apple Watch just above. The new identifier is also not yet showing in the App Store when viewed through iTunes on the desktop.

pandora universal app
With the growing popularity of the App Store on Apple TV, it makes sense for Apple to want to begin connecting the iOS and tvOS experience as they did when introducing universal iPhone and iPad apps in 2010 and with the addition of the Apple Watch earlier this year. Following its launch in October, Apple began running a new advertising campaign for the Apple TV, which it continues to expand with television shows like Game of Thrones and Veep.

Apple allows developers to build universal apps that support iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV all from one purchase, so it makes sense to provide users with information on what platforms are included when they prepare to download a new app.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...

Top Rated Comments

machpost Avatar
133 months ago
Now if only there were a way to search for, review and/or buy Apple TV apps in iTunes.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lsatterfield Avatar
133 months ago
So apps are going to get bigger? (MB size).
They'll probably still have that app slimming feature they released an update or so ago. The app will only download what it needs for that device, as it needs it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T5BRICK Avatar
133 months ago
So apps are going to get bigger? (MB size).
Not if developers use "App thinning" correctly.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
133 months ago
Apple is not really thinking here... And making users do needless work checking. The tag in the App Store is helpful but lousy once one buys the app. It is but one way to inform users but is not the best way...

I've written to Apple suggesting that they use the iPhone apps to advertise companion apps to those on the iPhone.

By companion I mean apps available for the iPad, Watch and the TV.

Apple should superimpose a small representative symbol on each corner of the iPhone apps:
- upper right, small square with a plus in it for iPad;
- lower right, small circle, iPhone;
- lower left, small rectangle, TV;
- upper left, reserve, or a small wallet symbol indicating Pay support.

In this way, I can see what is available when I use the app, rather than having to repeatedly check availability status in the App Store.

Additionally, there could just be a "notify when companion apps become available" toggle in the App Store configuration section of the settings app.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)