Apple TV supports 21:9 aspect ratio starting with tvOS 18.2: here’s how it works

The Apple TV supports the standard 16:9 aspect ratio, which has been the standard for televisions for years. However, there are also screens that support a different aspect ratio. Projectors in particular often use a 21:9 aspect ratio. Apple had already announced that the Apple TV would support other aspect ratios and from tvOS 18.2 this is finally possible.

Set Apple TV aspect ratio

Normally, the Apple TV automatically detects the correct aspect ratio for your screen. In most cases this will be 16:9, but 21:9 is also an increasingly common aspect ratio. Movies are often shot in this format, which is why black bars at the top and bottom often appear on 16:9 TVs.

The Apple TV supports these new aspect ratios from tvOS 18.2:

There is also an Automatic option, with which the Apple TV checks which ratio is correct.

To change the aspect ratio, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Audio & Video.
2. Choose the Aspect Ratio option at the top.
3. Choose Automatic or manually choose a suitable aspect ratio.

At the very bottom there is also an option to check whether everything fits properly in the picture and whether the picture setting of your screen is appropriate for the picture setting of your Apple TV. Choose Zoom and overscan and check whether everything fits neatly within the screen. If that is not the case, change the picture setting of the television itself.

Also read our tip on changing the picture settings on the Apple TV, for more options such as adjusting content.

See also

This is how you adjust the image settings on the Apple TV 4K

Are you having problems with the image settings of your Apple TV 4K? This setting may help, as it automatically adjusts the image to the content shown.