Apple TV users just got a great free upgrade

EntertainmentStreamingApple TV users just got a great free upgradeYouTube just got a whole lot better on every Apple TV, and on Amazon’s Fire TVs tooWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

YouTube just got a whole lot better on every Apple TV, and on Amazon’s Fire TVs too

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple TV

(Image credit: Apple)

TheApple TV 4Kmay not be the cheapest 4K TV streamer out there – that’s always going to be aFire TV stick– but it’s a really nice place to spend time in, especially if like me you’re not a big fan of the updated interface on thebest Samsung TVsthis year.

But one of the downsides is that it’s so good at what it does, especially withApple TV+ content, that when you get a less immersive experience it’s really apparent. That’s definitely the case with its YouTube app, which didn’t support 5.1 surround sound. Or at least, it didn’t until today.

The YouTube Apple TV app has just been updated with full 5.1 audio,Googleannounced onTwitterlast night. And the update is also happening on Fire TV devices, giving them a welcome boost too.

What’s new in the YouTube TV app

As Google explains, “We now support 5.1 audio on Apple TV &Fire TVdevices for compatible YouTube TV content (live, DVR, & video on-demand)”. The update is coming to the YouTube TV app on consoles too, but it’s not ready yet: “We’re working on getting this available to you as soon as possible,” Google says, promising to share live updates via its YouTube TV Twitter account.

If you’re unsure whether your device can play 5.1 surround sound in YouTube TV, Google has put together a useful compatibility guidehere. The list includesAndroidTV and Google TV; Roku; stacks of Fire TV devices; standard Chromecasts; andSamsung, LG and Vizio devices running Cobalt version 20 or higher. Of course you’ll also need to be watching content with a 5.1 audio soundtrack and have a 5.1 or better speaker system. If you don’t, one of the most effective ways to add it to your TV is with one of thebest soundbarsand a pair of rear speakers (or virtualised surround); the best AV systems are great too but the total cost can be quite a lot more.

If you’re not a big YouTube user the announcement might not seem like a very big deal, but if like me you like to watch live music, obscure movies and other eye-popping content it’s often a bit disappointing to be stuck with a plain old stereo soundtrack, so this is a very welcome - and free - upgrade.

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