The anticipation for a new Apple TV 4K continues, but Apple has continued to add new features to tvOS 26 with recent updates. There are two changes that I particularly enjoyed.

#1: Profile Upgrades

Each streaming service has its own user profile feature, but before tvOS 26, Apple’s overall system option was quite inadequate.

However, with tvOS 26.2, Apple made two changes that turned profiles into a feature I love.

Firstly, it became possible to create a new profile without an Apple Account associated with the update.

I have a small child, so it will take some time for him to need his own Apple Account. However, after tvOS 26.2, I was able to easily create a tvOS profile for him.

Secondly, the Apple TV app now filters the content it shows based on the age of the profile being used.

Now, when my child has his own profile, I can open the Apple TV app and only see content suitable for him.

The biggest advantage of all this is that my Apple TV Watchlist is no longer cluttered with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Frog and Toad, or his favorite Disney animated movies.

#2: Genius Browse for TV and Movie Recommendations

With tvOS 26.4, the Apple TV app added a useful new recommendation feature called Genius Browse.

According to Apple’s website:

Genius Browse offers personalized content recommendations that you can customize for yourself or other profiles in your home.

You can find this feature by swiping to the Genius Browse row in the Apple TV app. There, you will see various recommended 'collections' with descriptions like the following:

  • Action-Packed Sci-Fi
  • Based on a Book
  • Exciting Sports Stories
  • and more

Opening a collection provides TV and movie recommendations not only from Apple’s own streaming service but also from other supported streaming services.

One great thing about Genius Browse is that you can select a title and receive a completely new set of recommendations defined similarly to that title. This way, multiple layers of recommendations are provided.

Genius Browse also includes some nice filtering tools, and I love that these recommendations are personalized based on profiles.

Which tvOS 26 features are you using and enjoying the most? Let us know in the comments.

Best Apple TV 4K Accessories

  • Non-slip silicone case for Siri Remote, AirTag compatible
  • TotalMount for mounting Apple TV
  • AirPods Pro 3
  • iPhone Continuity Camera mount for Apple TV