How to extend iOS app to tvOS

The tvOS SDK is based off of iOS, but is not interchangeable. Unlike when the first iPad was released, the new Apple TV will not be capable of running iOS apps.

The AppStore for the TV will only include apps built specifically for tvOS.

For any iOS developers looking to create apps for Apple TV, I'd recommend checking out the new documentation page: https://developer.apple.com/library/content/documentation/General/Conceptual/AppleTV_PG/index.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40015241-CH12-SW1

Specifically, check out the Inherited iOS Frameworks section to give you a sense of what will work out of the box from your existing iOS projects.

In Xcode 7.1 (which introduces tvOS SDK) you can add a tvOS target as any other (File -> New -> Target... -> tvOS -> ...) and it supports both Objective-C and Swift, so yes - it's possible to share code between your iOS and tvOS app, you just need to check your source target membership and enable it on your tvOS target. To extend the purchases across iOS and tvOS app we should use Universal Purchases.

Took me a little while to find all the things needed to change but this list should cover it.

1. click iOS target and duplicate
2. change base sdk of new tvOS target to tvOS latest
3. make copy of info.plist and have tvOS point to that one
4. make all the tvOS icons and launch images
5. set TARGETED_DEVICE_FAMILY to 3 for the tvOS build settings
6. add any new tvOS specific versions of code e.g. without shouldAutorotate, prefersStatusBarHidden etc.