How to Turn On Apple TV Subtitles

To turn on subtitles on Apple TV, press the Play/Pause button (or swipe down on the remote’s touch surface) while a video is playing, then select the speech bubble icon (Subtitles) and choose your preferred language or style. This works across the Apple TV app, Netflix, Disney+, and most other video apps that support subtitles. Below is a complete guide covering the different ways to enable subtitles, customize their appearance, and troubleshoot common issues.

Why Subtitles Are Useful

Subtitles are not just for the hearing impaired. Many people use them to watch foreign-language films, to follow dialogue in action-heavy scenes, or to watch in a quiet room without turning up the volume. On Apple TV, subtitles are also called “Closed Captions” (CC) when they include sound effects and speaker identification. The system lets you control both the language and the visual style of the text, so you can make it larger, more contrasty, or easier to read on your TV.

How to Turn On Subtitles During Playback

The quickest way to enable subtitles is while a video is playing. The exact steps depend on the app, but the general pattern is the same across most video apps on tvOS.

While the video is playing, press the Play/Pause button on the Siri Remote (the button with the play/pause symbol).
Alternatively, swipe down on the touch surface of the remote to bring up the playback controls.
Look for a speech bubble icon (usually in the top-right corner of the screen). Select it.
Choose Subtitles or Closed Captions from the menu.
Select your preferred language (e.g., English, Spanish, French) or a specific caption style.

If you don’t see the speech bubble icon, the video may not have subtitles available, or the app might use a different menu layout. In that case, look for a “CC” button or a gear/settings icon.

Turning On Subtitles by Default for All Videos

If you always want subtitles to appear automatically, you can set them as the default in the Apple TV system settings. This works for the Apple TV app and many other apps that respect the system setting.

Go to the Settings app on your Apple TV home screen.
Select Accessibility.
Select Subtitles and Captioning.
Turn on Closed Captions + SDH (SDH stands for “Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing”).
Optionally, select Style to customize the appearance (font, size, color, background).

This setting will make subtitles appear automatically for any video that has them, unless you manually turn them off during playback. Note that some third-party apps (like Netflix) have their own subtitle settings that may override the system default.

Customizing Subtitle Appearance

Apple TV lets you adjust the look of subtitles to suit your viewing environment. You can change the font, text size, and contrast. Here’s how:

Font: Choose from options like Default, Classic, Large Text, or High Contrast.
Text Size: Adjust the slider from small to extra large.
Text Color: Pick white, yellow, green, or other colors.
Background: Add a solid background behind the text for better readability.
Opacity: Make the text or background more or less transparent.

These settings are found in Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captioning > Style. You can also create a new style by selecting “New Style” and tweaking each option. The changes apply immediately to the preview at the top of the screen.

Common Problems and Fixes

Sometimes subtitles don’t appear even when you turn them on. Here are the most common issues and how to solve them:

Subtitles not showing: Make sure the video actually has subtitles. Some older movies or TV shows may not have them. Also, check if the app has its own subtitle toggle that might be off.
Subtitles appear but are out of sync: This is usually a problem with the video file or streaming service, not the Apple TV. Try restarting the video or the app. If it persists, try a different streaming service or check if the issue is with a specific episode.
Subtitles are too small or hard to read: Go to the Style settings and increase the text size or choose a high-contrast style.
Subtitles don’t work in a specific app: Some apps (like YouTube) have their own subtitle settings. Open the app’s own settings or look for a CC icon within the video player.
Subtitles keep turning off: If you have set the system default to on, but an app overrides it, check the app’s own subtitle settings. Also, make sure you haven’t accidentally pressed the subtitle toggle off during playback.

Apple TV Subtitle Formats and Languages

Apple TV supports multiple subtitle formats, including standard subtitles (text only) and closed captions (which include sound effects like [door slams]). The availability of languages depends on the content and the streaming service. For example, Netflix offers subtitles in dozens of languages, while the Apple TV app may only provide a few for certain titles. You can also use the “Audio Description” feature if you need a spoken description of what’s happening on screen – this is separate from subtitles and is also found in the Accessibility settings.

Subtitles on Other Apple Devices

The same subtitle controls are available on iPhone and iPad when using the Apple TV app. On your iPhone or iPad, you can also set subtitle preferences in Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles & Captioning. These settings sync across your Apple devices via iCloud, so if you customize subtitles on your iPhone, they will appear the same on your Apple TV (as long as you’re signed in with the same Apple ID). This is handy if you prefer a specific font or size across all your devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I turn on subtitles on Apple TV with the remote?

Press the Play/Pause button (or swipe down) during playback, then select the speech bubble icon and choose your language. If you don’t see the icon, try pressing the Menu button and look for a settings gear.

Why are subtitles not showing on Apple TV?

Check that the video has subtitles available. Also, verify that the app’s own subtitle setting is on. If you’re using the system default, make sure it’s enabled in Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captioning. Restart the app or the Apple TV if nothing works.

Can I change the subtitle size on Apple TV?

Yes. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captioning > Style, and adjust the text size slider. You can also create a new style with larger text and a high-contrast background.

Do Apple TV subtitles work with all streaming apps?

Most apps support subtitles, but not all of them use the system setting. Apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ have their own subtitle menus, so you may need to enable subtitles within the app itself. The system default only applies to apps that opt in.

How do I turn off subtitles on Apple TV?

While a video is playing, press the Play/Pause button, select the speech bubble icon, and choose “Off”. If you have set subtitles to always on in the system settings, you’ll need to turn that off in Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captioning.

Can I use subtitles in a different language?

Yes. During playback, select the speech bubble icon and choose a language from the list. The available languages depend on the content. Some titles only offer subtitles in a few languages, while others offer many.

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