To find your Apple TV generation, open Settings > General > About, note the model number, and match it to the chart below.
You don’t need a teardown or a microscope to pin down which box you own. The quickest route is the model number shown on the About screen. If your unit won’t boot, you can still tell from ports, the remote, or the label on the base. Below is a clear map that links each model code to its generation and easy visual cues.
Which Apple TV Generation Do I Own Right Now?
Use any one of these paths. The first two are the fastest:
- Settings path: On the Home screen, go to Settings > General > About. Look for “Model.” It’s a code like A2737 or A1842.
- Base label path: Flip the unit over. The small print near the ring lists the model starting with “A”.
- Box path: Still have the retail box? The side sticker lists the same model code.
Match The Code To Your Generation
Find your code in the left column. The right column lists fast tells, like ports or remote type.
| Generation (Year) | Model Number(s) | Quick Identifiers |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV 4K (3rd) | A2737 (Wi-Fi), A2843 (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) | USB-C remote, small footprint, HDR10+, some units lack Ethernet |
| Apple TV 4K (2nd) | A2169 | Silver remote with clickpad, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet port present |
| Apple TV 4K (1st) | A1842 | Black glass-touch remote, HDMI 2.0a, Ethernet port present |
| Apple TV HD | A1625 | 1080p box, apps and App Store, often paired with black touch remote |
| Apple TV (3rd) | A1427, A1469 | 1080p streamer with fixed apps, aluminum IR remote, no App Store |
| Apple TV (2nd) | A1378 | 720p box, aluminum IR remote, no App Store |
| Apple TV (1st) | A1218 | Silver, built-in hard drive, component video ports |
Find The Model Code Step By Step
From The About Screen
On a working unit, this takes under a minute. Open Settings, pick General, then tap About. The Model line starts with “A”. Screenshot the screen or write it down.
From The Hardware
Unplug the HDMI cable so you can read the underside. The tiny print shows the same code, power specs, and regulatory logos. If the base text is worn, the retail box label mirrors the code.
If The Screen Is Dead Or Menu Is Missing
You can still narrow it down in seconds:
- Ports: Newer 4K boxes lack any service port. Older units show a micro-USB or USB-C service port. First-gen has component outputs.
- Ethernet: The 2022 Wi-Fi model drops Ethernet; the twin released the same year keeps it.
- Remote: A silver clickpad remote with a USB-C charge port points to the newest family. A black glass remote points to earlier 4K or HD.
Why Model Numbers Beat Visual Guessing
Boxes can share the same shell while the guts change. The model code won’t lie, and it is the clean way to answer which generation you own. If you want a second check, the remote style and port layout make a handy cross-reference.
Remote Clues That Help You ID The Box
The pack-in remote changed shape, buttons, and charge port over time. Match what you hold to the table below to tighten your answer. The newest remote uses USB-C, the prior silver remote uses Lightning, and the earliest touch remote is black. If you want deeper photos and labels while you check yours, Apple’s page to identify your remote is handy.
Remote Features Cheat Sheet
| Remote Type | Charge Port | Ships With |
|---|---|---|
| Silver clickpad (3rd gen) | USB-C | 4K (3rd) |
| Silver clickpad (2nd gen) | Lightning | 4K (2nd) |
| Black glass touch (1st gen) | Lightning | 4K (1st), HD |
| Aluminum IR (no mic) | Replaceable coin cell | 3rd, 2nd |
Feature Checks That Confirm The Answer
Once you match the code, small feature checks back it up. Pick a few that fit your setup and give them a try.
Video Formats
Launch the video settings and scan the output list. If you see HDR10+ alongside Dolby Vision, you’re likely on the 2022 generation. If the highest option stops at 1080p, you’re on HD or older.
App Store And Siri
The HD and all 4K models run tvOS with the App Store. You can add apps and games, use Siri, and install updates. The 2nd and 3rd models before HD stream fixed channels and don’t add apps.
Storage Options
Open Settings and check the available storage. Newer boxes may show 64 GB or 128 GB. Older units ship with 32 GB, and the oldest streamers don’t expose app storage at all.
Step-By-Step ID Scenarios
Scenario: You Have A Silver Remote With A Clickpad
Check the charge port on the bottom edge. If it’s USB-C, you’re holding the newest remote. That points to the 2022 family. If it’s Lightning, you’re in the 2021 family. Confirm with the model code to be sure.
Scenario: You Have A Black Touch Remote
This pairs with the 2017 4K box and the 1080p HD box. The difference sits in the About screen. If the model reads A1842, it’s the first 4K. If it reads A1625, it’s the HD.
Scenario: The Box Boots, But You Don’t See An App Store
That points to a 2nd or 3rd model before HD. The Settings app still lists a model code on those units. Use the table above to nail it.
Older Units: What To Expect
The aluminum remote without a mic and the fixed channel grid point to the 2nd and 3rd streamers. These don’t run tvOS, so you won’t find an App Store or Siri. They still play HDMI video and can be handy for a simple screen, but many modern apps moved on. The original silver unit from 2007 is larger, stores media on a hard drive, and offers component outputs along with HDMI. If you have that one, it’s more of a collector’s piece now.
Where To Confirm Official Details
Once you have the code, cross-check it on Apple’s pages. The company maintains a running list of models and codes, and a short guide that shows where the code appears in the menus and on the base label. Here are the two fastest reference pages you can use while you check your unit: the Identify your Apple TV model list and the quick find your model number guide.
What The Generation Tells You
Knowing the generation helps with accessories, formats, and updates:
- Picture and sound: The 4K line brings HDR formats and higher frame rates. The 1080p box tops out at Full HD.
- Network: Some 2022 boxes add Thread and Wi-Fi 6. One 2022 trim drops Ethernet, so wired installs should double-check.
- Remote pairing: Newer remotes pair and charge over USB-C or Lightning. Old aluminum IR remotes don’t handle Siri.
- Software life: Older streamers moved off updates. The tvOS line continues to receive features and fixes.
Tips If You’re Buying Accessories Or Selling Your Box
Buyers ask for exact model codes, not just “4K.” Write the code from the About screen in your listing. For mounts, cases, or USB-C cables, match the code and the remote type. If you ship the unit, include the remote and power cord and note whether the box has Ethernet.
Common Misreads And Fixes
- Mixing up HD and 4K (1st): Both can ship with a black touch remote. The model code sorts this in seconds.
- Assuming every 2022 box has Ethernet: One trim does not. Check the rear panel or the spec sheet.
- Thinking the App Store means the newest box: The HD also runs tvOS with apps. Only the old 2nd/3rd units lack it.
- Using only the remote to guess: Remotes can be swapped. Always confirm with the code.
Quick FAQ-Style Checks (No Fluff, Just Actions)
Can I Tell From The Size Alone?
The 4K family and HD share a compact square footprint. First-gen is larger and silver. Size alone won’t sort the tvOS models.
Does The Power Cord Shape Help?
All tvOS boxes use a figure-eight AC lead. The first-gen uses a PC-style cord with a larger brick. The plug alone won’t sort the 4K family.
What About The Status Light?
The light location and blink patterns are similar on tvOS boxes. It’s not a strong tell for generation.
When An Upgrade Makes Sense
If you’re on a 2nd or 3rd model, you’re missing the App Store and Siri, and many video apps have moved on. If you’re on HD, your TV may support 4K and HDR, and the newer boxes feel faster. The 2022 family adds HDR10+ and smoother frame-rate output. Check your TV’s inputs and what you watch, then decide.
One-Minute Checklist
- Open Settings > General > About and copy the model code.
- Match it to the table at the top of this page.
- Use remote style and ports to back up the answer.
- Click the Apple support links above to confirm.
Need A Final Tie-Breaker?
Still stuck between two? Look for HDR10+ in the video formats menu, check the charge port on the remote, and peek at the rear panel for Ethernet. Those three checks, plus the model code, settle every case.