Apple TV App Adds ASL and BSL Sign Language Interpreters

Apple announced on Nov. 10 that the Apple TV app can now show a sign language interpreter alongside supported movies. The option arrives Friday, Nov. 13, with the global premiere of Being Heumann, a film about disability rights activist Judy Heumann. Viewers choose between American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL).

The interpreter appears in a corner of the picture, synced with playback, according to 9to5Mac. MacRumors places the window at the bottom right of the screen.

Which titles get an interpreter

At launch, Being Heumann and the film F1 support the feature, Apple said. Two more films, Way of the Warrior Kid and Greyhound, are due later this year. Apple said more Apple Original titles will follow. All of the announced titles are Apple Originals.

The company described the signing as designed and tested by Deaf and native signers. Apple said each performance is made to fit the film it interprets. Daniel Durant, who appears in Being Heumann, directed the film’s sign language interpretation.

Which devices can use it

The feature requires version 27.2 or later of the operating system on the device running the Apple TV app. Apple lists iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and visionOS at that version. Supported third-party devices need the latest app software.

How to turn it on

The controls are hidden until switched on. According to 9to5Mac, the path is Settings, then the TV app, where you enable the Sign Language display. After that, a Sign Language button shows up in the player controls on titles that support it. Tapping it turns the interpreter on and lets you pick ASL or BSL.

• Titles with interpretation carry a Sign Language icon.
• Availability is listed next to the usual subtitle and audio language details when browsing the catalog.
• Search phrases such as “with ASL” or “with BSL” bring up compatible titles.

What this means for Deaf viewers and the wider app

Deaf viewers who use sign language now have a built-in way to watch these films with interpretation instead of relying only on captions. Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives, called the addition “an exciting step forward” toward making viewing more accessible for Deaf audiences.

The selection is small for now. Only a handful of Apple Original films are named, and Apple did not give dates beyond “later this year” for the next two.

Apple also said that as sign language interpretation becomes more widely available across streaming services, a new collection called “Movies & Shows with American Sign Language” will appear in the app. The wording refers to streaming services in the plural. MacRumors read that as a sign the option may eventually reach titles beyond Apple’s own productions, but Apple has not said so.

What comes next

Being Heumann streams on Nov. 13, which is the first day the option can be used. Way of the Warrior Kid and Greyhound are the next titles Apple has named, with no exact release dates given. Apple said interpretation will grow to more of its original films and series over time.

Sources: MacRumors, 9to5Mac, Apple Newsroom