Change accessibility settings in the Apple TV app on a TV or living room device
The Apple TV app includes built-in accessibility features to make it easier for people with disabilities to experience television.
Not all of these features are available on all smart TVs, streaming devices, or gaming consoles. See your device’s user guide for more information.
Change display settings
You can make text easier to read by displaying onscreen text with boldface type, changing the text size, or both. You can also increase the screen contrast to make items easier to see in the Apple TV app.
Go to the Apple TV app
on your TV or living room device.Open the sidebar, then select Settings.
Go to Accessibility > Display, then adjust any of the settings below.
Option
Description
Bold Text
Turn on to make text in the Apple TV app easier to read by displaying onscreen text with boldface type.
Text Size
Select to adjust the slider for your preferred text reading size.
Reduce Transparency
Turn on to improve the contrast by reducing transparency and blurs on some backgrounds to increase legibility.
Focus Style
Select High Contrast to increase the color contrast between foreground and background colors.
Change motion settings
You can stop the movement of some screen elements and animations in the Apple TV app, as well as autoplay for video previews.
Go to the Apple TV app
on your TV or living room device.Open the sidebar, then select Settings.
Go to Accessibility > Motion, then adjust any of the settings below.
Option
Description
Reduce Motion
Turn on to prevent content from autoplaying or auto-scrolling, and reduce animations with heavy movement.
Auto-Play Video Previews
Turn on to allow video content to autoplay.
Turn on audio descriptions
Audio descriptions provide an audible narration of important onscreen action and content in movies and TV shows. If you have a video that includes audio descriptions, the Apple TV app can play them for you.
Go to the Apple TV app
on your TV or living room device.Open the sidebar, then select Settings.
Go to Accessibility > Audio Descriptions.
Change subtitles and captioning settings
If you prefer specific accessible captions, such as subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH), you can set the Apple TV app to show them instead of standard subtitles and captions. You can also customize the look of subtitles and captions.
Note: Not all videos include closed captions. This feature may be disabled on devices that already include built-in closed captioning. See your device’s user guide for more information.
Go to the Apple TV app
on your TV or living room device.Open the sidebar, then select Settings.
Go to Accessibility > Subtitles and Captioning, then adjust any of the settings below.
Option
Description
Closed Captions and SDH
Turn on to use Closed Captions (CC) or Subtitles for the Deaf and hard of Hearing (SDH) when available.
Styles
Select a subtitle style from the following options:
Transparent Background
Large Text
Classic
Outline Text
Edit Styles
Select New Style, then create a new style based on your choice of:
Font, size, and color
Background color and opacity
Text opacity, edge style, and highlight
Turn closed captions on or off during video playback
Follow the instructions in Access controls for subtitles and audio.