The Apple TV app is adding a Sign Language option that places an on-screen interpreter beside supported Apple Original films. Viewers can pick American Sign Language (ASL) or British Sign Language (BSL). It starts on Friday, November 13, with the streaming premiere of Being Heumann.
You’ll need iOS 27.2 or later, or the matching 27.2 release of iPadOS, macOS, tvOS or visionOS. Apple says supported third-party devices running the latest Apple TV app software also work. Its announcement doesn’t list which devices those are.
Which Apple TV titles support sign language
Here is the lineup Apple has announced so far. The first two offer ASL and BSL at launch:
- Being Heumann: streaming from November 13
- F1: available at launch
- Way of the Warrior Kid and Greyhound: later this year
Apple says more Apple Original titles will follow. Watching any of them still requires an Apple TV subscription. For now, this is a short list of Apple’s own films. It is not an interpreter you can turn on for anything you stream.
Apple says Deaf and native signers designed and tested the interpretation. Daniel Durant, who appears in Being Heumann, directed the film’s sign language interpretation. Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives, framed the launch this way:
Bringing sign language interpretation to Apple TV is an exciting step forward in making the viewing experience more accessible and inclusive for Deaf audiences.
How to turn on Sign Language in the Apple TV app
First, make sure your device runs a 27.2 release or later. If you’re still catching up on iPhone updates, here’s what iOS 27.2.1 fixes. Then follow Apple’s steps:
- Open the Apple TV app settings and turn on the Sign Language feature.
- Start a supported title. These carry a Sign Language icon.
- Press the Sign Language button in the player.
- Choose American (ASL) or British (BSL).
To find more titles, type a phrase like with ASL into the Apple TV app’s search. Apple is also adding a Movies & Shows with American Sign Language collection to the app. Apple says the collection reflects sign language interpretation becoming more common across streaming services.
Interpreter features are spreading beyond streaming, too. Google has brought interpreter tile pairing to Google Meet on Android and iOS.
Source: Apple Newsroom
