We will show you how you can download and clean install the tvOS 15 final update on your Apple TV HD (1080p model).
Facing Performance Issues or Other Problems ? Clean Install tvOS 15 Final on Your Apple TV HD Model
Although we would highly recommend just going ahead with a simple over the air installation of tvOS 15, but if you want to start over from scratch then clean installation is the way to go.
The benefit of a clean installation is actually quite simple - you will feel a slight boost in performance compared to an over the air installation. It is not huge, but big enough to be noticed. But, this will only be felt if you make use of apps and games a lot on your Apple TV. Streaming video, TV shows and movies won't be affected at all.
One important to know here is that the clean installation is only possible on the Apple TV HD. The reason for it is simple; it has a USB-C port which you can use to connect the set-top box to your PC or Mac. None of the 4K models of Apple TV have this luxury.
Here is an image of an Apple TV HD, highlighting where the USB-C port is on the back:
This also means that you need a USB-C cable to connect the Apple TV HD to your PC or Mac. Apple doesn't supply a cable with the Apple TV so you have to buy a cable which suits your needs. If your PC or Mac has a USB-C port then you can buy one of the many USB-C to USB-C cables available, or a USB-C to USB-A port if applicable. You might want to spend some time researching this before buying the right cable.
Prerequisites
- tvOS 15 IPSW file saved to your desktop [download link]
- Apple TV connected to your PC or Mac using a USB-C cable.
- A bit of patience.
- Coffee [not necessary]
Tutorial
Step 1. Connect your Apple TV HD to your PC or Mac using a USB-C cable.
Step 2. Once connected, launch Finder or iTunes, whichever is applicable to you.
Step 3. You will see your Apple TV HD show up in Finder or iTunes as a tiny little Apple TV-like icon. Click on it.
Step 4. Assuming you have downloaded the tvOS 15 IPSW downloaded and saved to your desktop, click on the Restore Apple TV button while holding down:
- left Shift key (Windows)
- left Option key (Mac)
Step 5. Select the tvOS 15 IPSW file you've saved on your desktop.
Step 6. Let iTunes / Finder extract the contents of the update and restore it onto your Apple TV HD. This may take a while and this is the part where patience and coffee comes in.
Once the installation is complete, Finder / iTunes will ask you to unplug the Apple TV HD and connect it back to your TV.
See, not difficult at all.
Want to downgrade instead? Check out the following:
