tvOS 26 is the next major update for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD users. Joining the Liquid Glass design, new screensavers, and FaceTime upgrades, tvOS 26 introduces a new feature that could make AirPlay speakers an asset in your home theater setup.
AirPlay speakers can now be permanent audio outputs in tvOS 26
If you’re in the market for home speakers in 2025, there’s a good chance you’re looking into wireless rather than wired speakers.
For years, Apple TV 4K has offered a feature that supports using certain wireless speakers as the permanent audio output. But it was limited to two options: HomePod and HomePod mini.
It’s no surprise that HomePod products were the first to support being permanent speakers for the Apple TV 4K. But in tvOS 26, that functionality is expanding significantly.
tvOS 26 supports setting any AirPlay speaker as your permanent audio output.
The word ‘permanent’ there is key.
You’ve long been able to wirelessly connect your Apple TV to AirPlay speakers as temporary audio outputs.
But that wireless connection would regularly disconnect between uses. So if you really wanted to use an AirPlay speaker as your default audio output, you would need to manually connect it over and over.
In tvOS 26, those days are over.
From the Settings app you can now designate any AirPlay speaker as the permanent speaker, and your Apple TV will remember that setting forever.
It’s a great change that expands the usefulness of AirPlay speakers, and might even lead to wider adoption of wireless home theater setups over time.
Are you excited for tvOS 26’s new AirPlay speaker feature? Let us know in the comments.
Best Apple TV 4K accessories
- AirPods Pro 2 (now only $199, down from $249)
- Anti-slip silicone case for Siri Remote, AirTag compatible
- TotalMount for mounting Apple TV
- iPhone Continuity Camera mount for Apple TV
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