These 5 settings pace up my Apple TV 4K once I really want it

Taken solely on its specs, the Apple TV 4K is a quick piece of streaming {hardware}. It has been for years — I’ve a 2017 mannequin in my kitchen that is nonetheless greater than able to operating tvOS 26. There’s little or no purpose for me to improve both of the models in my home till a rumored 2025 mannequin ships, which can at the least bump me as much as a mannequin with Thread, HDR10+, and Apple Intelligence. I am unsure Apple Intelligence shall be a giant deal, given how nicely that is panned out on different Apple units up to now.

That mentioned, there are nonetheless instances when an Apple TV can choke somewhat, or be tougher than essential to navigate. Alongside these traces, listed here are some tvOS settings it is best to experiment with if the one factor that issues to you is attending to your movies as shortly as attainable. Be warned that with some choices, issues could not look as good, though that is a relative time period in an age of 4K and Dolby Imaginative and prescient.

Forcing SDR as an alternative of HDR

A probably mandatory evil

Usually, it is best to depart HDR (excessive dynamic vary) on every time attainable. The expertise intensifies highlights, brings out shadow particulars, and even improves the vibrancy of colours, so long as your TV is suitable with the actual HDR format(s) a video helps. In some circumstances, this may imply the distinction between a scene being splendidly moody or incomprehensibly darkish. Simply ask individuals who noticed the final season of Sport of Thrones.

Typically, nevertheless, an Apple TV will pause for a second when flipping between HDR and SDR (normal dynamic vary), or briefly black out your display. Hypothetically, it may also do the identical switching between HDR modes, though I have never skilled that one personally. If any of that is getting in your nerves, you’ll be able to power tvOS to remain in SDR mode on a regular basis.

First you may must go to Settings -> Video and Audio and disable Match Dynamic Vary below Match Content material. Subsequent, go to Settings -> Video and Audio -> Format, then choose the SDR mode acceptable in your TV’s decision. That is normally 4K SDR. Downgrading to 1080p on a 4K TV will not assist something, in the event you’re curious.

For individuals who cannot bear the thought of shedding HDR in suitable films and TV exhibits, you could possibly depart Match Dynamic Vary on. If HDR kicks in for movies and not using a hitch, you are golden.

Lowering transparency results

For pace purists solely

Credit score: Apple

This selection is irrelevant on 2017 Apple TVs, since they don’t seem to be highly effective sufficient to help tvOS 26’s added transparency results. If in case you have a 2021 or 2022 mannequin, nevertheless, you’ll be able to probably pace up tvOS (barely) by lowering the depth of these results. If nothing else, this could enhance the legibility of textual content and buttons when it clashes with background content material.

All it’s essential to do is go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Show and toggle Cut back Transparency. There isn’t any room for nuance sadly — this may have an effect on the look of any interface factor with a clear overlay, together with Management Heart and in-app playback controls. That is most likely what you are most involved about, nevertheless, since it will probably generally be tougher to learn Liquid Glass buttons in the event that they’re floating on high of a white or grey background.

Downgrading to 4:2:0 chroma subsampling

An finish to flaky indicators

Technically, this would possibly not resolve any pace points, however it could repair an issue that appears like one. In uncommon conditions, hassle with an HDMI connection can result in your display flickering or blacking out fully, as with that HDR/SDR switchover delay I discussed a second in the past. Right here the difficulty entails colour knowledge — whereas a chroma possibility like 4:4:4 or 4:2:2 will higher protect colour, together with the sharpness of textual content, which may be an excessive amount of knowledge for a connection to deal with when sign high quality is weak. To downgrade, go to Settings -> Video and Audio -> Chroma and choose 4:2:0.

In the end that is only a stopgap answer. because you will not be pleased with the ensuing picture high quality, and there is no assure you may have fastened all the pieces for good. For a everlasting repair, you may have to enhance your HDMI sign. Should you’re utilizing an particularly lengthy cable measuring dozens of toes, it’s possible you’ll want to purchase an HDMI sign booster. There is also an issue with the cable itself — attempt swapping in one other one which’s confirmed to work with different units. If the unique cable is flawed, there is no selection however to discover a substitute. You should definitely get one with HDMI 2.1or later if you wish to take full benefit of each your Apple TV 4K and the most recent show applied sciences, resembling variable refresh fee (VRR).

Switching to the Grid keyboard

Sort quicker utilizing the Siri Distant

Credit score: Pocket-lint / Disney

One of the vital baffling interface selections in human historical past is the default (Linear) tvOS keyboard. This arranges characters into only one or two traces, forcing you to do a variety of pointless swiping to sort one thing out with the Siri Distant. There is a purpose most onscreen keyboards use 4 traces or extra. In actual fact, the usual keyboard is so irritating, I will nearly instantly resort to typing in my iPhone’s Distant app if I’ve it useful.

Unbeknownst to lots of people, tvOS has the choice to power a Grid keyboard structure. It is nonetheless not as environment friendly as typing in your iPhone, however it’s fast sufficient that you could be be advantageous leaving your telephone in your pocket. You’ll have seen this structure in some apps earlier than, it is simply that too many do not reap the benefits of it.

Slay the demon by navigating to Settings -> Normal -> Keyboard Format and clicking on Grid. An necessary warning although: some apps could also be so deeply based mostly across the Linear keyboard that this may really break their design. If that occurs, return to the Keyboard Format menu and select Auto.

Transferring less-used apps into folders

Declutter your homescreen

Credit score: Pocket-lint / Apple

Should you’ve been utilizing an Apple TV for just a few years, you will have gathered an assortment of apps that you do not use very a lot, however do not wish to delete both.This may probably lead to a variety of pointless swiping. A method round that is by transferring apps into themed homescreen folders.

To get began, use the Siri Distant to click on and maintain on the primary app you wish to put in a folder. Select Transfer to- > New Folder, then choose the folder title up high if you wish to edit its textual content. Every time that is completed, click on Accomplished. Hit the Again or Menu button (as acceptable) to return to the common homescreen view.

Subsequent, in fact, you may wish to transfer different apps into that folder. That is very simple — for every one, click on and maintain on it, then choose Transfer to- > [folder name]. If you wish to undo something, use the Transfer to -> Residence Display screen possibility for every folder merchandise. As soon as the final app in a folder is eliminated, the folder disappears.