The basic fast-forward button and gesture
On the Apple TV Siri Remote (the newer aluminum remote with a clickpad), fast-forward is built into the touchpad itself. Swipe right on the touchpad with one finger, and the video jumps forward. The further right you swipe, the more it jumps — a short swipe moves forward a few seconds, while a longer swipe can jump 15 or 30 seconds depending on the app.
On the older Apple TV Remote (the black remote with separate buttons), press and hold the right arrow button to fast-forward. The longer you hold, the faster the video speeds up. Release when you reach the spot you want.
Both methods work in most streaming apps including Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, and others, though some apps handle the speed differently. If you're using the Siri Remote, you can also hold down the right side of the touchpad to continuously fast-forward at increasing speeds, similar to the older remote.
Key Takeaways
- On the Siri Remote, swipe right on the touchpad to jump forward; longer swipes jump further.
- On the older black remote, press and hold the right arrow button to fast-forward continuously.
- Most streaming apps respond to fast-forward, but some apps may have their own speed controls or limitations.
- You can also use Siri voice commands to jump to a specific time by saying "skip ahead 10 minutes" or similar.
Adjusting fast-forward speed on the Siri Remote
The Siri Remote doesn't have a dedicated speed setting for fast-forward — the speed is determined by how far and how fast you swipe. If you want finer control, use shorter swipes to move forward in smaller increments, or hold your finger on the right side of the touchpad to accelerate gradually.
Some apps let you tap the fast-forward button multiple times to increase speed. In Apple TV+, for example, tapping the right arrow (or swiping right repeatedly) cycles through different speed levels: 2x, 4x, and back to normal play. Check your specific app to see if it supports multiple speed taps.
Using Siri voice commands to jump ahead
Hold down the microphone button on your Siri Remote and say commands like "skip ahead 10 minutes," "jump forward 30 seconds," or "go to 45 minutes." Siri will jump to that point in the video. This method is faster than swiping if you know exactly where you want to go.
Voice commands work in most apps, though some third-party streaming services may not support them. If Siri doesn't respond, try using the touchpad swipe instead. You can also ask Siri to "rewind 5 minutes" or "go back 15 seconds" using the same voice method.
When fast-forward isn't working
If swiping or holding the arrow button doesn't move the video forward, the app may not support fast-forward — some live TV streams and certain content don't allow it. Check whether the video is live or on-demand; live broadcasts often can't be fast-forwarded.
If fast-forward worked before but stopped, try restarting the app by pressing the Menu button and then swiping up to close it. Then reopen the app and try again. If the problem persists across multiple apps, restart your Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart.
Make sure your remote is paired correctly. On the Siri Remote, hold it near your Apple TV and press and hold the back button and volume up button together for a few seconds until you see a pairing prompt on screen. This usually fixes unresponsive controls.
Differences between remote models
The Siri Remote (2021 and later) uses the touchpad for all directional controls, including fast-forward. The older Apple TV Remote (pre-2021) has separate buttons for play, pause, and arrow controls. If you have the older remote, you'll use the right arrow button instead of swiping.
If you're using a third-party remote or a universal remote, fast-forward may work differently or not at all. Apple TV remotes are designed specifically for the device, so third-party remotes often lack full functionality. Check your remote's manual to see if it supports fast-forward commands.
You can also use your iPhone, iPad, or Mac as a remote through the Control Center (iOS/iPadOS) or the Apple TV app (Mac). These software remotes include a timeline scrubber that lets you tap anywhere on the progress bar to jump to that exact spot — often faster than physical fast-forward.
Using the on-screen progress bar to jump ahead
While watching a video, the progress bar appears at the bottom of the screen. On the Siri Remote, you can swipe down to bring up the full timeline, then swipe left or right to move through it. This gives you more precise control than regular fast-forward and lets you see exactly where you're jumping to.
On the older remote, press the down arrow to highlight the progress bar, then use the left and right arrows to scrub through the video frame by frame or in larger jumps. This method is slower than fast-forward but more accurate if you need to find a specific moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does fast-forward move in big jumps instead of smooth speed-up?
Different apps handle fast-forward differently. Some jump in fixed intervals (15 or 30 seconds), while others speed up the playback. Netflix and Apple TV+ typically jump in intervals, while some other apps may show 2x or 4x speed. Check your app's settings or documentation to see how it handles fast-forward.
Can I fast-forward through ads on Apple TV+?
On Apple TV+ with a paid subscription, there are no ads, so this doesn't explore. On free streaming services that show ads, you usually cannot fast-forward through advertisements — the remote controls are disabled during ad playback. You must wait for the ad to finish.
Does fast-forward work on live TV?
Live TV streams cannot be fast-forwarded because there is no future content to jump to. If your app offers cloud DVR or on-demand replays, those can be fast-forwarded. Check whether your content is labeled as "live" or "on-demand" to know if fast-forward is available.
What if my Siri Remote touchpad isn't responding to swipes?
Clean the touchpad with a soft, dry cloth — dirt or moisture can block swipe detection. If that doesn't work, unpair and re-pair the remote by holding back and volume up for a few seconds until you see the pairing screen on your TV. If the touchpad still doesn't respond, the remote may need replacement.
Can I use my iPhone as a remote to fast-forward?
Yes. Open Control Center on your iPhone, tap the Apple TV remote icon, and use the on-screen controls. You can also swipe on the timeline to jump to any point in the video, which is often faster and more precise than using the physical remote.