Apple TV Adds User Profiles and Sign Language Support in iOS 27.2
Apple is expanding Apple TV functionality in iOS 27.2, introducing user profiles for iPhone and iPad alongside existing tvOS support. The update also adds optional American and British Sign Language tracks for select titles. These changes aim to improve personalization and accessibility, addressing a gap in Apple's streaming ecosystem while competitors have long offered similar multi-user features.
Key points
- Apple is releasing iOS 27.2 next week, which introduces user profile support for Apple TV on iPhone and iPad, a feature previously limited to tvOS.
- The update allows profiles to sync across devices, ensuring personalized playback history, queues, and recommendations for each user, including age-appropriate content filters for children.
- Apple has added new profile image options featuring characters from its original series, including The Snoopy Show, Frog and Toad, and Stillwater.
- The software update includes official sign language support, allowing users to enable American Sign Language (ASL) or British Sign Language (BSL) for select movies and shows.
- The sign language feature is accessible via the Settings app under Apps, TV, and Sign Language, though the initial number of supported titles remains unconfirmed.
- This update positions Apple TV as the last major streaming service to offer cross-platform user profiles, enhancing its competitive standing in the streaming market.
Apple is set to release iOS 27.2 next week, introducing two significant updates for Apple TV subscribers. The most notable change is the expansion of user profile support to iPhone and iPad. Until now, Apple TV was the only major streaming platform that did not offer user profiles on mobile devices, limiting personalization for users who shared accounts. With this update, profiles created on any platform will automatically sync, allowing each viewer to maintain distinct playback histories, queues, and recommendations. The feature also includes age-appropriate content filters for child profiles, addressing a common concern for families using shared streaming accounts.
In addition to multi-user support, Apple is enhancing accessibility by adding official sign language tracks to select Apple TV titles. Users can optionally enable American Sign Language (ASL) or British Sign Language (BSL) through the Settings app. This feature goes beyond standard subtitle options, providing a visual language layer for hearing-impaired viewers. While the exact number of titles supporting sign language at launch is not yet confirmed, the addition marks a step forward in inclusive design for the platform.
The update also introduces new profile image options, featuring characters from Apple’s original series such as The Snoopy Show, Frog and Toad, and Stillwater. These cosmetic changes accompany the functional upgrades, aiming to make the profile selection process more engaging. By addressing these gaps, Apple is aligning its streaming service with industry standards, potentially improving user retention and satisfaction as the platform continues to grow its original content library.
Sources
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