Spotify has pushed a completely rebuilt Apple TV (tvOS) app to the App Store that changes what Spotify can do on a big screen. Video podcasts, music videos, on-screen lyrics, queue control, Spotify DJ, and far better Connect support are all now part of the experience.
The Spotify Apple TV 4K app update features matter because your iOS TV has historically been an awkward place for Spotify.
Also, the TV app lagged behind other platforms for years. With this update, Spotify finally treats tvOS like a first-class platform.
New features in Spotify’s Apple TV 4K app update
Here’s what the new app offers:
1. Video podcasts on the big screen
You can now watch video podcasts in the Spotify tvOS app. When a podcast episode includes video, the app displays it full screen with familiar podcast controls. You will be able to play/pause, scrub, and, importantly, variable playback speed.
That’s a real step up, as previously you had to mirror or cast from another device or use workarounds to get video podcasts on the TV. Now the app will play the creator’s video asset directly.
What’s more, Spotify’s growing partnerships for video podcasts, notably with Netflix and The Ringer for a U.S. rollout of several series, mean more premium video shows will hit the platform in 2026.
NOTE: Not all podcasts have video. Spotify will show video only when a creator uploads a video version or opts in. Expect a growing catalog, but don’t assume every episode has video.
2. Music videos
The above also applies to when a track in Spotify’s catalog has an official music video. The Apple TV app now offers a “switch to video” prompt. This will enable you to toggle between audio and video without leaving the playback screen.
Spotify rolled this feature out in many global markets first. Music videos are available in 97 territories at launch, but not yet in the U.S. and Canada.
As usual, the video catalog depth will vary by region and label rights. The library will grow over time, but you’ll still find gaps (from old songs and podcasts) compared to established video platforms like YouTube.
3. Native tvOS redesign
Spotify says it rebuilt the app “from the ground up” for tvOS. That means a UI native to Apple TV with a heavier visual focus, larger art, and page layouts tuned for couch-style navigation.
Once you open the new app, you’ll notice it has faster browsing, clearer presentation of shows and playlists, and improved responsiveness compared with the older tvOS release.
Hence, you’ll navigate the app with fewer taps and less loading. The home screen surfaces video content and curated playlists more like the mobile experience, but laid out for large screens.
4. Lyrics and synced on-screen text
The much hyped and requested on-screen lyrics are now part of the Apple TV app. When you play a supported track, the lyrics view displays synchronized lines so you can follow along on the TV, just like you did on mobile.
This is particularly useful when you want sing-along sessions or clarity on shouty vocal lines. Also, group listening and karaoke-style sessions get better as you don’t need to glance at your phone.
5. Queue management, playback controls, and Spotify Connect integration
This new Apple TV 4K app update allows you to manage your playback queue directly on the set. The capabilities include adding, reordering, or removing items.
To use the features, you start a song on your TV set. Then, as it plays, you could use your phone as the remote to build the rest of the playlist in the background. Also, shared listening gets simpler since guests can add songs from their phones without you handing over the Siri Remote.
Video podcasts include playback speed controls on tvOS, mirroring mobile. You can speed up interviews or slow down complex technical segments, and those settings persist like they do on other Spotify apps.
6. Spotify DJ
Spotify DJ is an AI music recommendation tool that will now be part of your Apple TV app. It uses your listening history to create contextually relevant mixes and next-track suggestions. On TV, DJ can power background music when you don’t want to select playlists manually.
Tell the app to “keep the vibe going,” and the DJ will assemble a sequence that keeps the room moving. It’s useful for parties, workouts, or casual background listening.
What’s the rollout timing and how do you get the update?
The Spotify’s Apple TV 4K app update is out. Here is what to do right now:
- Update manually: Open the App Store app on your set. Next, head over to the section for updates and follow prompts. If you prefer to wait, the automatic rollout should reach all the TV OS devices by mid-November.
- Automate future updates: We advise doing this so you don’t miss later bug fixes from the company or other feature expansions.
- Try Spotify Connect from your phone: Start playback on TV and use your phone to queue songs and control the experience.
- Explore music videos and video podcasts in the app home screen: When a track has a video, use “switch to video” to test how your TV and network handle streaming.
So, should you care about Spotify’s Apple TV 4K app update?
Yes, if you use Apple TV 4K and you’re a mobile phone Spotify user or you have the old version, this update improves how you experience the platform at home.
The app shifts from “audio companion on TV” to “audio + visual entertainment hub,” bringing music videos and video podcasts into the living room with native tvOS polish. You’ll see immediately how much better the experience can feel when Spotify treats the TV as more than just a speaker.
It won’t replace YouTube for raw video discovery, but it does make Spotify a serious daily option for shared listening, music-video playback, and watching video podcasts on your TV.