Video Playback Speed Controls in iOS 15

With the release of iOS 15, Apple introduced native video playback speed controls directly into the operating system's default media player. This update allows iPhone and iPad users to speed up or slow down videos natively across Safari and supported third-party applications without relying on external extensions or specialized third-party media players.

Native Integration in the System Player

Prior to iOS 15, the default system video player (AVPlayerViewController) did not include built-in speed adjustment toggles. Users who wanted to alter playback rates had to depend on apps that designed custom interfaces, browser extensions, or manual JavaScript inputs in Safari.

In iOS 15, Apple integrated speed controls directly into the default AVPlayer interface. When developers use the standard system player, the speed settings are automatically available to users by default unless explicitly disabled by the developer.

How to Access the Controls

To adjust video speed in iOS 15 using the native player:

  1. Tap the screen to reveal the media playback overlay.
  2. Tap the three-dot overflow menu icon (ellipsis) in the bottom-right corner of the controls.
  3. Select the Playback Speed option from the popup menu.
  4. Choose the desired speed rate.

Available Speed Options

The default player offers six preset playback rates:

  • 0.5× (Half speed)
  • 0.75× (Three-quarter speed)
  • 1.0× (Normal speed)
  • 1.25× (One-and-a-quarter speed)
  • 1.5× (One-and-a-half speed)
  • 2.0× (Double speed)

Pitch correction is automatically handled by the system audio engine, ensuring that audio remains comprehensible and free of unnatural pitch distortions when accelerated or decelerated.