The Basic Way to Fast Forward

To fast forward on Apple TV, press and hold the right arrow button on your remote. The playback will jump forward in 10-second increments as long as you hold the button down. Release it when you reach the spot you want to watch.

If you want to move forward more slowly, tap the right arrow once instead of holding it. Each tap moves forward about 10 seconds, giving you more control over where you land in the video.

The exact timing depends on what you're watching—some apps respond slightly faster or slower than others, but the basic motion is the same across all content on Apple TV.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold the right arrow button on your Apple TV remote to fast forward continuously in 10-second jumps.
  • Tap the right arrow button once at a time if you want to move forward more slowly and precisely.
  • The playback scrubber bar appears on screen when you press any directional button, showing you exactly where you are in the video.
  • Double-tap the right side of the touchpad on newer remotes to jump forward 15 seconds when ready without holding.
  • Fast forwarding works the same way across Apple TV+, streaming apps, and purchased content.

Using the Touchpad on Newer Remotes

If you have an Apple TV remote with a touchpad (the flat, clickable surface at the top), you can fast forward by double-tapping the right side of the pad. This jumps forward 15 seconds with each double-tap, which is faster than the 10-second increments from the arrow button.

You can also swipe your finger to the right across the touchpad to move forward continuously. The faster you swipe, the faster the video moves. This method gives you the most control because you can slow down or speed up the swipe motion in real time.

The touchpad method works best if you're trying to skip through a section quickly—like jumping past credits or a recap—because you can feel how far you're moving by the speed of your swipe.

Reading the Playback Scrubber Bar

When you press any directional button, a scrubber bar appears at the bottom of the screen showing the full length of the video. A white dot or line shows your current position. This bar stays visible for a few seconds, then disappears.

The scrubber bar is useful because it shows you how much of the video is left. If you're watching a 45-minute TV episode and the dot is already three-quarters of the way across, you know you're near the end. If you overshoot where you wanted to be, you can press the left arrow to rewind.

On some apps, the scrubber bar also shows chapter markers or scene breaks as small lines along the bar. These let you jump directly to the next chapter instead of fast forwarding through the whole section.

Jumping to Specific Chapters or Scenes

Many shows and movies on Apple TV are divided into chapters. If your content has chapters, you can press the right arrow once to jump to the next chapter instead of fast forwarding frame by frame. This is much faster than holding the button down.

To see if your content has chapters, look at the scrubber bar when you press a directional button. If you see small vertical lines along the bar, those are chapter markers. Each press of the right arrow will jump to the next marker.

Not all content has chapters—some apps and older videos don't support them. If you don't see markers on the scrubber bar, the arrow button will just move forward in 10-second increments as usual.

Fast Forwarding Through Intros and Credits

Many streaming apps now show a "Skip Intro" button automatically when an opening sequence starts. This button appears in the corner of the screen and skips the entire intro with one click. You don't have to fast forward manually—just tap the button on your remote.

If there's no skip button, use the fast forward method that works best for you. For a 90-second intro, holding the right arrow for a few seconds will get you past it quickly. For longer recaps at the start of an episode, swiping on the touchpad gives you the smoothest control.

Some apps also show a "Skip Credits" button at the end of an episode. This works the same way—one tap and you jump to the next episode or the main menu.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is tapping the right arrow too many times in a row. Each tap moves forward 10 seconds, so five quick taps will jump you 50 seconds ahead. If you need to move forward slowly, hold the button down instead and watch the scrubber bar to stop at the right moment.

Another mistake is not waiting for the scrubber bar to appear before you start fast forwarding. If you press the button before the bar shows up, you might overshoot your target. Wait a half-second for the bar to display, then adjust your position.

If you're using the touchpad and swiping too fast, you might jump past the part you wanted to watch. Practice swiping slowly at first to get a feel for how far each swipe moves the video forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fast forward through ads on Apple TV?

On Apple TV+, you can fast forward through ads if you have a paid subscription without ads. On free or ad-supported tiers, ads are usually locked and cannot be skipped. Other apps have their own rules—some allow fast forwarding through ads, others don't. Check the app's settings if you're unsure.

Why does fast forwarding sometimes jump too far ahead?

This usually happens when you hold the button too long or tap it multiple times quickly. The scrubber bar shows exactly where you are, so watch it while you fast forward and release the button as soon as you reach your target spot. If you overshoot, press the left arrow to rewind a bit.

Does fast forwarding work the same way on all Apple TV apps?

The basic controls are the same—right arrow to fast forward, left arrow to rewind. However, some apps like YouTube or Hulu may have slightly different behavior or additional skip buttons. The remote buttons always work, but the app might also offer its own skip or chapter features.

What's the difference between holding and tapping the arrow button?

Tapping moves forward one 10-second increment at a time, giving you precise control. Holding the button down makes the video move forward continuously, which is faster for skipping large sections. Use tapping for small adjustments and holding for big jumps.

Can I adjust how much time each fast forward jump covers?

Apple TV does not have a setting to change the 10-second increment. The jump amount is fixed across all apps and content. If you need more precise control, use the touchpad swipe method, which lets you move forward at any speed you choose.