How to control podcast playback on Apple TV 4K

When you start playing a podcast on Apple TV 4K, it appears in the Now Playing screen, where you can control playback, change audio settings, and get more information about an episode. You can also open playback and audio controls from Control Center while a podcast is playing or paused. And if you miss a moment of dialogue, you’re able to turn on subtitles or closed captioning, if they’re available.

Control podcast playback in Now Playing

1. Go to the Podcasts app on Apple TV 4K.
2. Open the sidebar and select Now Playing.

   Tip: You can also access the Now Playing screen from Control Center. See Control podcast playback and audio output from Control Center.

3. Use your remote to do any of the following:
   • Play or pause the podcast: Press the Play/Pause button, or press the center of the clickpad or touch surface.

     When an episode is paused, a timeline appears with elapsed and remaining time. Swipe left or right on the clickpad center or touch surface to scrub to a different point in the timeline, then press the clickpad center or touch surface to play from that point.

   • Continuously rewind or fast forward: During playback, press and hold left or right on the clickpad ring or touch surface. Press the clickpad center or touch surface to pause. Press again to resume playback.
   • Skip backward or forward 10 seconds: Press left or right on the clickpad ring or touch surface. Press again to skip another 10 seconds.

     Tip: When you skip backward 10 seconds, subtitles are turned on automatically so that you can rewatch that section with subtitles.

Control podcast playback and audio output from Control Center

When a podcast is playing or paused, you can get to playback and audio controls from Control Center on Apple TV 4K.

• Press and hold the TV button on the remote to open Control Center, then do either of the following:
  • To control music playback: Select the Now Playing tab. Select the song to open the Now Playing screen, or select a playback control.
  • To change the audio output: Select the Audio Controls tab and select a playback destination or destinations.

    You can listen to audio from Apple TV 4K on compatible AirPods or Beats headphones, AirPlay-enabled speakers, Bluetooth headphones or speakers, HomePod, or speakers you connect through the Home app.

Get information about podcasts

The Info button becomes available during playback, and it gives you information about the podcast you’re watching.

1. On your remote, do either of the following:
   • Show playback controls, then swipe down on the clickpad center or touch surface.
   • Press down on the clickpad ring to go directly to the Info tab (silver remote only).
2. Select any of the following options:
   • Info: See more information and episode details.
   • From This Episode: Select a host or guest to see more info. If music information appears, select the song to add it to a playlist in Apple Music.

Turn on subtitles and closed captioning

You can turn on subtitles or closed captioning (if available), customize how they look, or switch them on temporarily when you miss a moment of dialogue.

During playback in the Podcasts app, you can do any of the following:

• Turn on subtitles or closed captioning: Show playback controls, swipe up on the clickpad or touch surface, select the Subtitles button, then choose the option you prefer.
• Change subtitle or caption styles: Show playback controls, swipe up on the clickpad or touch surface, select the Subtitles button, select Style, then choose the style you prefer, or choose Manage Styles to customize your subtitles and captions.
• Turn subtitles on for the previous 10–30 seconds: Press left on the clickpad ring or touch surface on your remote for each 10-second increment, up to three times for 30 seconds.
• Turn subtitles on while audio is muted: Press the Mute button (silver remote only).

Change playback speed

1. During playback, show playback controls and select the Playback Speed button.
2. Choose a playback speed from the pop-up menu.

Change audio options during playback

1. During playback, show playback controls and then select the Audio Options button.
2. Choose an audio option from the pop-up menu:
   • Reduce Loud Sounds: Lower the overall sound level by reducing the dynamic range so that loud music and sound effects aren’t as loud as other sounds.
   • Audio Track: Turn on audio descriptions (AD), or choose a language you want to switch to.

   Note: Available options depend on what’s playing, what speakers or headphones you’re using, and what model of Apple TV you have.

3. To close the pop-up menu, press the Back button or the Menu button on your remote.

Podcasts keep playing after you leave the Podcasts app, but they stop when you begin playing video or audio in another app.

Not all features and content are available in all countries or regions or on all Apple TV hardware models.