HackAAPL: Hacking Apple Products

How to install the tvOS beta over-the-air

You can install the tvOS beta Configuration Profile completely wirelessly, but you’ll need a Mac, Apple Configurator, and the latest version of Xcode if you’ve never done this before.

Updating over the air only updates the system software; your configurations and apps should remain on your Apple TV as-is.

1. On your Mac, go to developer.apple.com/.
2. Click Discover.
3. Click tvOS.
4. Click Download.
5. Enter your developer username and password to log in.
6. Scroll down and click on the blue Download button to the right of tvOS 16 beta configuration profile. Make sure to save the profile to your Desktop.
7. Install the Apple Configurator 2 App from the Mac App Store.
8. Connect your Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K to AC power.
9. Connect your Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K to the same wireless network as your Mac.
10. Open Xcode on your Mac. Make sure you’re running the latest version.
11. Click Window in the Menu bar.
12. Click Devices and Simulators.
13. Open Settings on your Apple TV.
14. Select Remotes and Devices.
15. Select Remote App and Devices.
16. In Xcode, select the Apple TV when it appears in the left column under Discovered.
17. Enter the Code that appears on your Apple TV. Xcode will pair with the Apple TV.
18. Open Apple Configurator on your Mac.
19. Click on your Apple TV in Apple Configurator.
20. Drag the tvOS 16 Configuration Profile from your Desktop to the Apple TV icon in Apple Configurator. The Apple TV will be configured for the tvOS 16 beta.

Your Apple TV should now detect the new tvOS and download and install it just like any other update. Luckily, if you’ve already set up your Apple TV in this way, you just need to download the profile, open Apple Configurator, and drag the profile to your Apple TV.

How to install the tvOS beta restore image over USB-C (4th generation Apple TV HD only)

If you have a 4th generation Apple TV, you can use a USB-C cable to install the restore image.

1. On your Mac, go to developer.apple.com/
2. Click Discover.
3. Click tvOS.
4. Click Download.
5. Enter your developer username and password to log in.
6. Click on the tvOS 16 restore image for the Apple TV HD.
7. Click Applications near the top of the page.
8. Click on the blue Download button to the right of Xcode 14.
9. Install Xcode 14 on your Mac.
10. Connect your Apple TV HD (4th Generation) to AC power.
11. Connect your Apple TV HD (4th Generation) to your Mac using a USB-C cable.
12. Launch iTunes.
13. Select your Apple TV when it appears in iTunes.
14. Hold down the Option key and click on Check for Updates.
15. Browse to and click on the tvOS 16 beta you downloaded in step 3.

After iTunes has updated your Apple TV, hook it back up to your television and you’re good to go.