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App Store now mentions when iOS apps have Apple TV versions

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Update: The feature now appears to have propagated correctly, as the codename identifier is no longer visible. The app now correctly lists ‘Apple TV: Yes’ in the description for universal apps that support Apple TV.

Apple is rolling out a way to see if an app in the App Store also has an Apple TV version. From this morning, App Store listings have included ‘SF.UniversalAppleTV’ labels. If present, it means that the app in question also has a universal Apple TV app available in the tvOS App Store.

Evidently, the feature is not fully baked and is in the process of rolling out. The label is clearly an internal identifier not meant to seen by the public. When the feature is fully rolled out, expect it the left column to simply say ‘Apple TV’ which matches the language used for Apple Watch compatibility.

Apple has been slowly adding features for the tvOS app experience over time, adding Top Charts and additional Categories as the app library grew. Eddy Cue recently announced over 2000 tvOS apps are available. Apple also updated tvOS this week to version 9.1 with support for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV Remote app.

Check out our list of the best tvOS apps here.

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Comments

  1. Raymond Lagård - 8 years ago

    Anyone know a good Apple-tv “new app” (for Norway) website?

  2. Inaba-kun (@Inaba_kun) - 8 years ago

    Very sensible. At the moment a “universal” app may not be universal at all, as it may not support the Apple TV. Maybe that little plus symbol by the £ sign needs changing too.

  3. iSRS - 8 years ago

    Awesome. Hope there is also a way to search for only Apple TV Apps soon

  4. pretsky - 8 years ago

    Evidently, the entire app store on the Apple TV is “not fully baked”.
    I’ve had the new Apple TV for a month and the app store is as barren as the surface of the moon.
    The games? They suck. It’s really embarrassing.
    Basically, if you’ve owned prior Apple TV’s and noticed all the apps for different channels – the only use for the new app store is that you can add those apps manually, if you want them.
    This is nothing like the original roll out of the app store or the when the Ipad came into life.

  5. Don’t forget Pluto TV! Dozens of free exclusive HD channels including News 24/7, After School Cartoons, the CNET channel, The Surf Network, Classic Movies, IGN, The Onion, and more :)

  6. calisurfboy - 8 years ago

    Apple, fix how you list requirements. Listing “iOS Version X.X or later” is horrible considering a lot of apps end up broken with those “later” versions of the iOS. Should list exactly what iOS software they work with. Lengthy, yes, but Themeforest manages to list what versions of software websites are compatible with so why can’t Apple with apps?

Author

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.