Apple will enable Siri AI for the Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and later with tvOS 27.2.1, an update that is not out yet. The 2021 and 2022 boxes did not get Siri AI when tvOS 27.2 came out on October 26, so owners need this newer update.
Apple has confirmed that tvOS 27.2.1 supports Siri AI on every Apple TV 4K from the 2nd generation on, which includes the Apple TV 4K (4th generation) that launches November 13. Apple has not given a release date for tvOS 27.2.1, and the new box reportedly runs Siri AI on a separate tvOS 27.2 build.
tvOS 27.2.1 Needs a Paired Device
Siri AI is labeled a beta on Apple TV, and the Apple TV 4K (2nd generation and later) needs a nearby paired device with Siri AI turned on before the assistant works. Siri AI runs on the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 16 and later, the iPhone Duo and the iPhone Air, plus iPad mini models with an A17 Pro or A20 Pro chip and iPads with an M1 chip or later, so any of those can serve as the paired device.
The owner of the home in the Home app needs one of those devices on the latest software, with its device language and Siri language set to the same supported language. Requests that use personal context, such as asking Siri to play a show a friend recommended, draw on that device. Apple HomeView follows the same rule for personal context, and its Siri AI support covers English only.
The Apple TV setup depends on an iPhone or iPad, and Siri AI is not available on either in the EU. Apple Accounts with a mainland China region cannot use Siri AI either. Features that rely on server-side models also carry daily usage limits.
Older Boxes Miss Hands-Free Siri
Siri AI is supported only on the Apple TV 4K (2nd generation and later), so the Apple TV HD and the first-generation Apple TV 4K stay without it. Both run tvOS 26, and their latest update is tvOS 26.6.1, which Apple released on October 26.
Apple ties two features to the Apple TV 4K (4th generation), which costs $299. Its three far-field microphones handle hands-free “Hey Siri” requests, and the four-speaker HomePod surround sound setup needs the 4th-generation box too.
Older boxes use the Siri Remote to talk to Siri AI. The new Siri Remote is sold separately and works with Apple TV 4K, so owners can add it to an older setup. The remote also supports Find My, and Precision Finding works with the iPhone Duo, iPhone Air and iPhone 17 or later, excluding the iPhone 17e.
