Developers can now acquire the fourth beta of tvOS 17.3 to test out on the Apple TV.
Developers taking part in the test program can access the latest build by visiting the Apple Developer Center, or by updating any Apple TV set-top boxes that are already running the beta. Public beta versions usually surface a short time after the developer counterparts, and the public can sign up to test them via the Apple Beta Software Program when they become available.
The fourth tvOS 17.3 developer beta arrives after the third, dated January 9, while the second was issued on January 3.
The fourth beta of tvOS 17.3 is build number 21K646, replacing the third, 21K5643b.
While iOS and watchOS updates tend to have more visible changes, tvOS usually has them more in the background, and consist more of performance improvements and bug fixes rather than features. While there is a chance that there are some notable changes in the operating system, they surface relatively rarely.
AppleInsider and Apple strongly advise users don’t install beta operating systems, or beta software in general, on to “mission-critical” or primary devices, as there is the chance of issues that could result in the loss of data. Testers should instead use secondary or non-essential hardware and ensure they have sufficient backups of their critical data at all times.