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

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 Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1

Gurman: iPhone Ultra Wows Early Testers, Except for Its Camera

Sunday August 23, 2026 11:19 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra is winning over the few people who have had hands-on time with the device, though the camera setup may leave some users wanting, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says people who have used the device – which is reportedly referred to internally as the iPhone Ultra – like how it fits in your...
iPhone 18 Pro Dark Cherry Feature

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: When Will Apple Event Be Announced?

Monday August 24, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
It is now late August, meaning that Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner. Below, we take a look at when the event might be held this year. This September, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new foldable iPhone that will reportedly be named the iPhone Ultra. The regular iPhone 18, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and the iPhone Air 2 are not...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Unveiled Four New Products Today

Tuesday August 25, 2026 8:39 am PDT by
Apple today unveiled a new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chip options, a new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chip options, a new version of the Polishing Cloth with a lower price, and updated Magic Keyboards for Macs. To learn more about these products, read our coverage below: Apple Announces New Mac Mini With M6 and M5 Pro Chips and More Apple Unveils New Mac Studio With M5 Max and M5...

Top Rated Comments

JosephAW Avatar
55 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)
55 months ago
Awesome I watch just about everything at 1.25x.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
55 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
55 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)
55 months ago
Nice. I hope Netflix gets it on tvOS.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
55 months ago
Interesting addition. Hope to see many apps supporting this later this year.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)