Article ID : 00231379 / Last Modified : 10/12/2019

Android TV™ software update information - Android™ 9 Pie (For 2018 models)

Applicable Products and Categories of This Article

The Android 9 Pie software update began December 2019 on a gradual release schedule for Android TV models. This article explains the new features, improvements, and changes provided with this update.

The automatic update will first be released for eligible LCD models (Z9F series), and then expand to BRAVIA OLED Master Series models (A9F series) in early 2020. The actual date your TV receives the automatic update will vary and may range from within a few weeks to a couple of months.

Note: If you enabled the Automatically check for update feature, a notification will appear on your TV when the update is available.

When you are ready to perform the update, press the HELP button on the remote control and select System software update.

Features & Changes

Menu and Interface Changes
New Features
Features No Longer Supported
Other Changes

Applicable products

Z9F series
A9F series

Menu and Interface Changes

Redesigned Quick Settings menu via the ACTION MENU button
The Quick Settings menu is displayed when you press the ACTION MENU button on the remote control.

In the menu, select Settings to view and make changes to your television settings. You can also make picture and sound adjustments while watching content.
You can use Edit to add frequently used settings or remove unnecessary ones. To change the presentation order of the settings, highlight one and then press and hold the Enter button on the remote control.
Watch the Quick Settings video below.

Customizable Input menu
In addition to the TV and HDMI connected devices, you can now select USB drives from the new menu.

You can also use Edit to add frequently used apps such as YouTube or Netflix. To change the presentation order of the apps, highlight one and then press and hold the Enter button on the remote control.
Watch the Input menu video below.

Streamlined Settings menu
All Settings options are now grouped under 7 categories.
- Watching TV: Broadcast settings such as channel setup, subtitles, parental control, Cable/Satellite box (IR Blaster compatible models only) etc.
- Display & Sound: Settings for picture and sound adjustments
- Network & Internet: Settings for Internet and home network connections
- Accounts & Sign In: Google account settings
- Apps: Settings for apps
- Device Preferences: Other device settings such as date & time, language, accessibility, Chromecast built-in etc.
- Remotes & Accessories: Settings for the remote control and Bluetooth device connections
Suggestions is also added to configure settings that were skipped in the initial setup.

Smoother transition to the channel list and full TV Guide
Pressing the TV button on the remote control now presents the TV Menu channel list.

When you select TV control at the lower left-hand corner of the TV Menu, functions available while you are watching TV will be displayed, such as Picture-in-picture and Add to Favorite.

You can press the ↓(Down) button on the remote control to display the program guide, and the ↑(Up) button to return to the TV menu. While in the program guide, you can still see the show you were watching in the small screen that appears.

Improved IR blaster settings (Only for IR Blaster compatible models have IR Blaster setup）
The name IR Blaster setup has been changed to Cable/Satellite box setup.
To access the operation menu for the cable/satellite box (set-top box), you now need to press the TV button on the remote instead of the ACTION MENU button. If the cable/satellite box (set-top box) is set using Channel lineup setup in Cable/Satellite box setup, Live TV will be displayed, and a list of programs you can watch now will be displayed when you select Live TV.

Reconfigured HDMI IN operation menu
To access Home (Menu), Options, and Picture-in-picture, you now need to press the DISPLAY : (Info)) button on the remote instead of the ACTION MENU button.
Picture-in-picture has been changed to (Picture-in-picture) icon.

A new Restart menu
The Restart menu is displayed on TV screen by pressing and holding the power button on the TV remote control for a few seconds.

New Features

Support Apple AirPlay / HomeKit
With Apple AirPlay, you can stream movies, music, games, and photos to your television right from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Integrated Dolby Atmos support via the TV’s built-in speakers
The TV speakers can now play back Dolby Atmos.
In addition, the Sound mode will switch to Dolby Audio by the software update automatically so you can enjoy content with Dolby Atmos.

Video/Album/Music apps combined into the Media Player app
Videos, photos, and music can now be viewed as a list in the Media Player app.

Support for HEVC 100/120Hz
Supports HEVC 100/120Hz format for USB video playback.

Features No Longer Supported

Teletext fixed display feature removed
The (Text hold) feature, which was performed by pressing the (INPUT) button on the remote control while Teletext is displayed, has been removed.

Other Changes

Icon changes on the Home screen
The design of some icons has changed, and the Timer icon has been added to the upper right of the Home screen.
Mic changes
Selection of the mic icon on Home and other screens now uses the built-in MIC instead of the mic on the remote control.
Illumination LED behavior during Ok Google detection
Illumination LED blinking (Yellow), which occurs when “Ok Google” is detected on the built-in MIC, now occurs not only during standby mode but also when the TV is on.
Addition of Pass through mode
The Pass through mode setting has been added, which can output compressed audio to audio systems and sound bars.
NOTE: When Pass through mode is set, sounds such as TV key tones or voice responses may not be output, or the voice recognition feature of the built-in MIC may be less efficient.