Breaking News Apple is adding built-in sign language interpretation to the Apple TV app, allowing viewers to watch selected movies and shows with an on-screen interpreter using American Sign Language (ASL) or British Sign Language (BSL).
The new accessibility feature launches Friday, November 13, alongside the global streaming premiere of Being Heumann, a film about disability rights activist Judy Heumann. Apple’s official announcement confirms that F1 will also offer interpretation, with Way of the Warrior Kid and Greyhound set to follow later this year.
Unlike a separate version of a movie, the interpretation is available as an option within the normal Apple TV playback experience. When enabled, a signing interpreter appears onscreen while the movie plays. Apple says the performances were designed and tested with Deaf people and native signers, with each interpretation tailored to the story rather than generated automatically.
How to turn on sign language in Apple TV
Viewers can enable Sign Language in the Apple TV app’s settings. On a supported title, a Sign Language button will then appear during playback, allowing them to select the interpretation. Compatible movies and shows will also display a Sign Language icon, and users will be able to search for phrases such as “with ASL” to find them more easily.
Apple is introducing a dedicated “Movies & Shows with American Sign Language” collection to bring supported titles together. The feature works on devices running iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, macOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 or visionOS 27.2 or later, as well as supported third-party devices with the latest Apple TV app software. It is not exclusive to the new fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, which is also scheduled to launch November 13.
Image: Apple
The first film to debut with the feature, Being Heumann, stars Ruth Madeley as Judy Heumann and recounts the 1977 San Francisco sit-in that helped advance disability rights. Directed by Siân Heder, who previously made Apple’s Academy Award-winning CODA, the film features Daniel Durant, who also directed its sign language interpretation.
Apple says the feature is intended to make its original programming more accessible to Deaf audiences and plans to expand support to additional titles. Availability will initially be limited to the announced movies rather than every film or show in the Apple TV catalog.
