What tvOS 26.6 RC Is
tvOS 26.6 RC is build 23L772, released on July 20, 2026. A release candidate is the build Apple intends to ship. Unless something serious surfaces in the days that follow, this is the software that becomes the public release — see our explainer on what that means.
It arrived 55 days after Beta 1 (23L5729e, May 26, 2026). The build number has lost its beta suffix, which is the surest sign Apple considers the software finished.
RC Build Numbers Across Every Platform
Apple ships each beta wave across its platforms on the same day, usually with different build numbers per operating system. Here is every build we recorded in this wave, taken from Apple's own release feed rather than reposted from elsewhere.
Matching build numbers between two platforms — as iOS and iPadOS almost always have — mean they are built from the same source, which is why their betas behave identically.
| Platform | Version | Build | Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| audioOS 26 | 26.6 | 23L772 | July 20, 2026 |
| macOS 26 | 26.6 | 25G70 | July 20, 2026 |
| tvOS 26 | 26.6 | 23L772 | July 20, 2026 |
How to Install tvOS 26.6 RC
There is no profile to download. Enrol your Apple Account free at beta.apple.com for the public beta or developer.apple.com for the developer channel, then open Settings → System → Software Updates → Beta Updates on the Apple TV and select the tvOS 26.6 channel. The build appears in Software Update like any ordinary update.
If you are already on an earlier tvOS 26.6 beta, this arrives as a normal update and no re-enrolment is needed. Our full tvOS 26.6 install guide covers the process step by step, and our device pages tell you whether your exact model qualifies.
Should You Install It?
Yes, if you were ever going to. A release candidate is the lowest-risk point in the whole cycle: apps have caught up, the feature set is final, and in most cycles the RC and the public release are the same build with a different label.
Whatever you decide, make an archived backup on a computer first. A backup made on tvOS 26.6 cannot be restored onto the previous release, so it is the only route back with your data intact — our backup guide explains the difference, and our honest assessment covers running a beta on the phone you depend on.
What Comes After RC
The public release is what comes next. In recent years Apple has shipped the finished tvOS 26.6 about a week after the RC, often with the same build number, and this page records the date the moment it happens. If a serious problem surfaces first, a second RC arrives instead.
Our build history tracks every tvOS build with its date and the gap before it, which is the clearest picture of how a cycle is progressing. The beta calendar guide explains the shape of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I install tvOS 26.6 RC?
A release candidate is the safest point in the cycle to join: the feature set is final and apps have caught up. Back up to a computer first regardless.
Does tvOS 26.6 RC fix battery drain?
Heavy battery use in the first few days after any beta update is normal and comes from background re-indexing, not from a fault. It usually settles within 48 hours. Apple has not published notes for this build, so nobody outside Apple can say what it changed.
What is the build number for tvOS 26.6 RC?
tvOS 26.6 RC is build 23L772, released on July 20, 2026.
When was tvOS 26.6 RC released?
July 20, 2026, 55 days after Beta 1.
Is there a beta profile for tvOS 26.6 RC?
No. Apple removed beta profiles in 2023. Enrol your Apple Account free at beta.apple.com or developer.apple.com and select the channel in Settings — there is no file to download.
How do I check which build I am on?
Settings → General → About, then tap the version number to reveal the build. If it reads 23L772 you are on tvOS 26.6 RC. Our build number guide explains how to read them.