The basic way to fast forward

To fast forward on Apple TV, press and hold the right side of the touch surface on your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote. The longer you hold it, the faster the video moves forward. Release your finger to stop fast forwarding and resume normal playback.

The touch surface is the flat, clickable area at the top of the remote. It works the same way whether you're watching a movie, a TV show, or any other video content. You don't need to press a separate button — just use the directional touch pad itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold the right side of the touch surface to fast forward; the longer you hold, the faster it moves.
  • You can also tap the right side repeatedly for smaller jumps forward instead of holding continuously.
  • The Siri Remote (2nd generation) and newer Apple TV Remote models both use the same fast forward method.
  • If you're using an older remote with physical buttons, press and hold the forward button instead of using the touch surface.

Tapping versus holding for different speeds

If you want to move forward just a few seconds at a time, tap the right side of the touch surface instead of holding it. Each tap usually jumps forward 10 to 15 seconds, depending on what app you're using. This method gives you more control when you're looking for a specific moment.

Holding the right side is faster when you need to skip ahead by minutes. The longer you hold, the faster the video moves — you'll see the playback speed increase on your screen. This is useful for skipping through credits, ads, or long intro sequences.

What to do if fast forward isn't working

If fast forward doesn't respond, first check that your remote has a clear line of sight to your Apple TV box. The remote uses infrared or Bluetooth to communicate, and obstacles like furniture or other devices can block the signal. Move the remote closer to the TV and try again.

If the remote still doesn't work, restart your Apple TV. Unplug the power cable for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for the device to boot up. Once it's ready, try fast forwarding again. If the problem continues, the app you're using may have a bug — try closing it and opening it again, or restart the entire Apple TV device.

Using fast forward with different streaming apps

Fast forward works the same way across most apps — Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and others all respond to the same remote gesture. However, some apps handle the speed differently. Netflix might jump in 10-second increments when you tap, while YouTube might use 5-second jumps.

A few apps, particularly live TV or sports apps, may not allow fast forwarding at all. This is usually because the content is broadcast live or the app's design doesn't support it. In those cases, the fast forward gesture straightforward won't do anything, and that's by design on the app's side, not a remote problem.

Older Apple TV remotes with physical buttons

If you have an older Apple TV remote with a row of physical buttons across the bottom, fast forward works differently. Look for the button with a right-pointing arrow or triangle (the forward button). Press and hold that button to fast forward through your video.

These older remotes don't have a touch surface, so you can't tap for smaller jumps. You either hold the forward button for continuous fast forwarding or release it to stop. The speed increases the longer you hold, just like the newer touch-based remotes.

Switching between fast forward and rewind

To rewind instead, press and hold the left side of the touch surface on your Siri Remote. The same hold-and-release method applies — hold longer for faster rewinding, release to stop. Tapping the left side will rewind in small increments, just like tapping the right side fast forwards.

You can switch between fast forward and rewind as many times as you need without any delay. There's no cooldown period or special action required — just move your finger from one side of the touch surface to the other and hold again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does fast forward move at different speeds in different apps?

Each streaming app controls how fast the video moves when you fast forward. Netflix, Apple TV+, and YouTube all have their own playback engines and may use different speed multipliers. This is normal and not a remote issue — the app itself decides how quickly to skip ahead.

Can I fast forward through live TV on Apple TV?

It depends on the app and whether the content is truly live. Some apps that show live sports or news don't allow fast forwarding because the broadcast is happening in real time. Other apps that record live content to your device may allow fast forwarding once the show has finished airing.

What if my remote is paired to a different Apple TV device?

Your Siri Remote will only work with the Apple TV it's paired to. If you're trying to use it on a different Apple TV, you'll need to pair it first. Hold the remote close to the new Apple TV and follow the on-screen pairing instructions, then try fast forwarding again.

Does fast forward work the same way on Apple TV 4K and older models?

The fast forward gesture is the same across all Apple TV models that use the Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote. Older models with physical button remotes use the forward button instead. As long as your remote is paired correctly, fast forward will work the same way regardless of which Apple TV generation you own.