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Apple TV Thread 1.4 Update Coming in tvOS 26 This Fall

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Apple TV devices will support Thread 1.4 when tvOS 26 launches this fall, according to network analysis by Matter Alpha. The update was discovered in the tvOS 26 beta announced at WWDC, suggesting the upcoming HomePod Software 26 will also support the latest version of the protocol.

tvOS 26
Thread 1.4 addresses a particular issue in the form of competing Thread networks. Previously, border routers from different manufacturers would create separate networks, which fragments your smart home setup. The new standard ensures all Thread 1.4 devices join a single mesh network instead.

The protocol update also gives Thread devices direct internet access, enabling features like smart shades that adjust based on weather conditions or lights that change color with sports scores.

Since HomePod uses a fork of tvOS, the upcoming HomePod Software 26 will likely include Thread 1.4 support as well. Both Apple TV 4K and HomePod models work as home hubs in Apple's smart home ecosystem, and they also serve as Thread border routers.

Thread 1.4 was officially released in September 2024 and includes improved testing tools for manufacturers plus better network visibility for troubleshooting. The Thread Group reports major device and platform vendors are gradually adopting the standard, though Google and Amazon's adoption of Thread 1.4 is expected to come next year at the earliest.

Apple users will gain access to the new Thread 1.4 capabilities when tvOS 26 is released in September.

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Top Rated Comments

fatTribble Avatar
fatTribble
13 months ago

I have been using thread since its early days with both the original HomePod and the original AppleTV 4k devices. Plus at the Home Hubs & Bridges setting of a Home it just says “any Apple TV 4th gen or later or HomePod” without further restrictions.
Here is Apple’s list:

Thread-enabled Apple devices:


* Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Ethernet
* Apple TV 4K (2nd generation)
* HomePod (2nd generation)
* HomePod mini
* iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or later running iOS 18


https://support.apple.com/en-us/102078
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechWhisperer Avatar
TechWhisperer
13 months ago
Just to be clear, that means fall 2029.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MakaniKai Avatar
MakaniKai
13 months ago
Thread is such an awesome protocol, I have been using it all over my house. I go out of my way to buy Matter over Thread devices as much as possible. It's very nice to keep the devices from congesting my wifi, and the battery powered devices last much longer.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
tsubikiddo
13 months ago
This is great contribution from Apple to leverage its huge install base to establish Matter 1.4 as the new baseline for Matter smart home product.
hoping this will chart the course to achieve cross-platform multi-admin with the other Android users

I am fortunate to have 4x home pod minis across the house,
together with Eve Energy smart plugs and Nanoleaf essential smart bulbs as thread router, quality of life user experience has been great,
it just works!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fatTribble Avatar
fatTribble
13 months ago
This is good news. I believe the original HomePod does not support Thread, only the new HomePod and the HomePod mini support it. And only the latest Apple TV supports thread if you choose the higher priced version with Ethernet. Please feel free to correct.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
seek3r
13 months ago

Now I get it. Your devices are not "things" like ovens, dishwashers, washer/dryers or refrigerators. Those will not install if using WPA3, and even if it's temporarily disabled back to WPA2, when moving back to WPA3 they disconnect. All of them. Every ioT enabled appliance. Every single one. The only way to run them is by adding a router that supports multiple SSIDs, and being careful not to overlap with the IP range on the gateway, and run those "things" with WPA2 encryption, and only on the 2.4 Ghz band. Maybe in 10-20 years, they'll catch up, but I'm not holding my breath.

All my smart devices are native Matter or HomeKit.
Which means you’d deeply benefit from apple having a firewall utility for thread routers that let you easily restrict access beyond the thread mesh :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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