iOS 16 Lets Third-Party Apps Using Apple's Video Player Offer a Playback Speed Menu

Starting with iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and tvOS 16, apps using Apple's video player are able to offer a native playback speed menu. The feature is optional for developers, however, so the functionality may not be available in some apps.

ios 16 playback speed menu
Apple's default playback speed options are 0.5×, 1.0×, 1.25×, 1.5×, and 2.0×, but developers are able to modify the list of speeds.

In supported iPhone and iPad apps, the playback speed menu can be reached by tapping the icon with three dots surrounded by a circle. In supported Mac apps, the menu can be found by clicking on "»" and selecting Playback Speed. In supported Apple TV apps, there is a new timer icon for playback speed to the left of the subtitles icon.

tvos 16 playback speed menu
For developers, Apple says all apps using the new iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS SDKs will get this playback speed functionality automatically with no additional changes required. Developers wishing to disable the menu entirely can make use of new APIs added to AVPlayer, with more details available in this WWDC 2022 session video.

Some apps using a custom video player on iOS like YouTube already offer playback speed control, as do some Apple apps like the Developer app.

Related Roundups: iOS 16, iPadOS 16
Related Forum: iOS 16

Top Rated Comments

JosephAW Avatar
17 months ago
It would be nice to offer a rotation button even if your device is on locked rotation. :rolleyes:
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Antes Avatar
17 months ago
Awesome I watch just about everything at 1.25x.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Havoc035 Avatar
17 months ago

It would be nice to offer a rotation button even if your device is on locked rotation. :rolleyes:
This! And let’s also add double tap the left or right side of the screen to jump 15s back or ahead.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheDailyApple Avatar
17 months ago
I always speed-up any videos that aren’t for entertainment purposes. People just speak too slowly. :D Which is why I typically prefer articles and written text.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ButteryScrollin Avatar
17 months ago
Nice. I hope Netflix gets it on tvOS.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hagar Avatar
17 months ago

Is there a native way to change video quality on the new video player when watching on YouTube Safari?
There is an extension for that. It’s called Vinegar.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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