Make yourself at home.

Open your first file

Butter opens files you choose in Finder or Files. If a file lives with a cloud provider, make sure it is available to read on the device.

1. Choose Open media (the plus icon in the header).
2. Select one or more video or audio files, then confirm the selection.
3. Use Play or Pause to control playback. On Mac, Space toggles playback when a text field or another control does not have focus.

Find it again

Your media shows recently played files. Watch narrows the view to video; Listen narrows it to audio. Artwork is read automatically when available.

Removing a history entry or a library folder does not delete the original media file.

Choose what comes next

Open Play queue to see the current order. Add files, remove an entry, or choose shuffle and repeat. With enough width the queue sits beside the player; in compact layouts it opens as a sheet.

Bring the words along

Open Subtitles in the playback controls or options menu. Choose an embedded track, or use Open subtitle file… for a separate caption file.

Adjust subtitle size and timing there. If an external subtitle file becomes unavailable, choose Open subtitle file… again and reselect it; reopening the video may not restore that file’s access.

Save a moment

Open Saved moments and choose Save current position. You can rename the moment and select it later to return to that position.

Saved positions belong to the original file version. If the file changes, Butter may clear the old resume position or ask you to save a new moment.

Pair only the devices you choose

Device Link is optional. Keep both devices on a reachable local network and allow local-network access when the system asks.

1. Enable Device Link on both devices.
2. Create an invitation on one device, then scan it where supported or paste it on the other.
3. Compare the device fingerprint and approve the pairing request. Grant only the access you want.
4. Turn Device Link off to disconnect, or forget a device to revoke its trust and media access.

Play on another device

Streaming is the default. Keep the source connected and Butter open; on iPhone or iPad, keep Butter in the foreground. Under Playback source, Same file instead uses an identical file already available on the receiver. External subtitles need to be selected again on that device. Radio cannot be shared through this flow.

1. Open a local video or audio file on the sending device, then open Device Link.
2. Choose Play on followed by the paired device’s name. On the receiver, choose Play here to approve.
3. Use the source’s remote controls to pause, seek or resume. Choose Stop sharing to end the stream.

When a file or stream needs attention

For renewed file access, open File details, choose Locate file…, and select the original file again in Finder or Files. Reconnect an external drive or download a cloud file first if needed.

If a paired-device stream is interrupted, keep the source file available, restore the connection, then choose Play on the receiving device again in Device Link and approve there. Streaming does not resume automatically after a lost connection.

Optional online radio

Optional radio on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro connects to NewTopic for live music; it does not upload your library or local media. On Apple TV, choose Radio and select a station. If security verification is requested, follow the prompt on a nearby iPhone or iPad.

Each listening session lasts one hour. Continue listening starts another hour only when you choose it. Pausing does not extend the hour; resuming returns to the live broadcast, not the paused position.

Stopping radio ends playback and progress messages. Clearing local history does not delete radio service records. For radio privacy rights and retention details, read NewTopic’s privacy policy or contact privacy@newtopic.com.