How to download tvOS 17 public beta right now for your Apple TV 4K

(Image credit: Apple)

WWDC 2023

(Image credit: Apple)

- WWDC 2023 - live updates
- Apple VR and the Reality Pro headset
- iOS 17
- macOS 14
- iPadOS 17
- watchOS 10

Apple's tvOS 17 update is actually quite a big one this year, bringing FaceTime to Apple TV, along with some other exciting changes.

It won't be out until September, but Apple is already letting developers (and really anyone) beta-test the software. The latest release, tvOS 17 beta 3 and public beta is out now.

The latest beta brings some fixes for new features including FaceTime and Apple's Continuity Camera feature, a great feature first introduced to macOS a couple of years ago. Apple has also rolled out the first public betas of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, and watchOS 10.

Download tvOS 17 public beta using the configuration profile

Beta software, also referred to as a preview, seed, or release candidate, is a version of software that’s still under development and not yet released to the public. This software is intended only for installation on development devices registered under your Apple Developer Program membership. Registered development devices can be upgraded to future beta releases and the public version of the software. Attempting to install beta software in an unauthorized manner violates Apple policy and could render your device unusable and necessitate an out-of-warranty repair. Make sure to back up your devices before installing beta software and install only on devices and systems that you’re prepared to erase if necessary.

Apple TV Facetime tvOS 17 — (Image credit: Apple)

Open Settings on your Apple TV
Select System then Software Updates
Choose Beta Updates then tvOS 17 public beta

It's that simple. For the developer betas, you no longer need to use Xcode or any other external software to update your Apple TV to the newest tvOS developer beta, and you don't need to be a developer either.

But if you did wait, the first public beta is available for you to install.

Apple developer beta requirements — (Image credit: Apple)

The next step in tvOS

Adding FaceTime to tvOS 17 brings a long-requested feature to your TV and it's an exciting step for a product that doesn't always get the love it deserves.

Not only will FaceTime make tvOS 17 one of the biggest software updates to Apple TV in years, but there's also third-party VPN support which enables developers to create VPN apps for Apple TV.

You can try FaceTime on tvOS 17 today, but we suggest not installing these betas on your daily driver - as there may be unexpected bugs.

But if you just can't wait, follow our guide above and have your Apple TV on the bleeding edge for the next few months.

We're covering all the WWDC 2023 announcements live and as they happen. Don't miss all our Apple VR, iOS 17, macOS 14, iPadOS 17, and watchOS 10 news so far.

John-Anthony Disotto is the How To Editor of iMore, ensuring you can get the most from your Apple products and helping fix things when your technology isn’t behaving itself.

Living in Scotland, where he worked for Apple as a technician focused on iOS and iPhone repairs at the Genius Bar, John-Anthony has used the Apple ecosystem for over a decade and prides himself in his ability to complete his Apple Watch activity rings.

John-Anthony has previously worked in editorial for collectable TCG websites and graduated from The University of Strathclyde where he won the Scottish Student Journalism Award for Website of the Year as Editor-in-Chief of his university paper. He is also an avid film geek, having previously written film reviews and received the Edinburgh International Film Festival Student Critics award in 2019.

John-Anthony also loves to tinker with other non-Apple technology and enjoys playing around with game emulation and Linux on his Steam Deck.

In his spare time, John-Anthony can be found watching any sport under the sun from football to darts, taking the term “Lego house” far too literally as he runs out of space to display any more plastic bricks, or chilling on the couch with his French Bulldog, Kermit.

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