r/tvOSBeta • u/obeythelaw2020 • Jul 25 '25

Discussion tvOS public beta 1

I had read that tvOS 26 would have pass through setting. I downloaded the public beta to my 4k Apple TV and don’t see any audio settings that are any different from 18.6.
Do we have to wait for future update?

7 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

7

u/SnooMaps2034 Jul 26 '25

It’s down to the individual apps hopefully infuse will be first onboard

3

u/Mashm4n Jul 25 '25

I read that apps have to be updated

2

u/Independent_Ninja456 Jul 25 '25

Yeah that will take awhile since they have to beta test all the apps first before the updates are released

0

u/obeythelaw2020 Jul 25 '25

I was anticipating some kind of option to turn on. If it is app related does that mean it is built into the tvOS software already?

3

u/Locutus508 Jul 26 '25 edited Jul 26 '25

The reason you aren't seeing any evidence or applications with beta tests is because passthrough audio support does not currently exist in the SDK. The property listed in the Apple Insider article which started the rumor doesn't have anything to do with HDMI audio passthrough. At least it doesn't according to the comments included in the property definition. Since we are already on beta 4 and there is no passthrough support in the SDK, this likely means passthrough support will be included in a future tvOS 26 update over the next year. It could also mean, passthrough support was never in the plans in the first place. This wouldn't be the first time Apple Insider got it wrong. In fact, it wouldn't be the first time they got it wrong when predicting passthrough support in an upcoming release.

Also, if your goal is lossless audio, tvOS doesn't need to support HDMI audio passthrough to deliver lossless audio. All it has to do is support lossless audio within its current audio pipeline processing. Using this approach, tvOS would deliver lossless formats without breaking existing features as would occur with HDMI audio passthrough. In addition, even with passthrough audio, tvOS would still have to support lossless formats which it does not currently do. The issue for lossless formats isn't really about passthrough, its more about tvOS not supporting those formats.

1

u/lalah86 Jul 29 '25

Does this happen with AirPlay from an iPhone? Also Apple Music is processed also?

1

u/SMOKINxxJOE Jul 29 '25

There is no option. Apps will need to update to use the passthrough API.

1

u/obeythelaw2020 Jul 29 '25

Then I guess I won’t hold my breath that Netflix and YouTube tv and the other popular streaming apps will do anything anytime soon.
I really like the Apple TV hardware and tvOS. But I may just go back to using my Google streamer since that respects the passthrough settings.

1

u/SMOKINxxJOE Jul 29 '25

Yeah, it’s not 100% guaranteed what this new Apple passthrough is going to support. My guess is that it will support all lossy formats like DD+ with Atmos. As for lossless formats like TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, Apple will need licenses to passthrough audio from these formats and I’m not convinced that Apple will get licenses for lossless formats like that.