Orientation
VoiceOver speaks the selected item as focus moves through tvOS. Apple documents navigation and exploration modes: one follows selected focus, while the other allows nearby content to be examined before selection changes.
Remote variants
Second-generation and later Siri or Apple TV Remotes use a touch-enabled clickpad. First-generation remotes use a touch surface. The page identifies the remote before presenting actions.
General tvOS apps
Coverage includes rows, grids, tabs, dialogs, overlays, long lists, search, authentication, loading, errors, and recovery. Media players are an important pattern, not the entire guide.
Product-team implications
Directional movement needs predictable neighbours and boundaries. Users need position, row context, current selection, meaningful control states, and a clear route back.
Dynamic and media content
Check focus after lazy loading, profile changes, playback overlays, adverts, and errors. Playback, captions, audio description, seeking, and current state need unambiguous names and values.
Practical route
On a physical Apple TV, open a controlled app, identify the initial selection, traverse a row and grid, operate a control, open and close an overlay, trigger a status change, and return.