The quickest way to disable subtitles
To turn off subtitles on Apple TV, press the Menu button on your remote while a show or movie is playing. Scroll down to Subtitles and Captions, then select Off. The subtitles will disappear when ready.
This method works on all Apple TV models and takes about five seconds. If you cannot find the Subtitles and Captions option, make sure you are in the playback screen — it will not appear on the home screen or in the app menu.
The setting applies only to the show or movie you are currently watching. If you want to turn off subtitles for everything you watch going forward, you will need to change your default settings in the Apple TV system preferences instead.
Key Takeaways
- Press Menu during playback, scroll to Subtitles and Captions, and select Off to disable subtitles for the current show.
- This change affects only the video you are watching right now — subtitles will turn back on for your next show unless you change the default setting.
- To turn off subtitles by default for all content, go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions and choose Off.
- If subtitles reappear on their own, check whether the app itself has subtitle settings separate from the Apple TV system settings.
Changing your default subtitle setting in Apple TV settings
If you want subtitles off for everything you watch, not just one show, you can change the system default. From the Apple TV home screen, go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Subtitles and Captions. Select Off.
Once you do this, subtitles will stay off across all apps and all content unless you turn them back on for a specific show. This is the setting that controls what happens when you first open a new app or start a new video.
You can still override this default at any time by pressing Menu during playback and selecting a subtitle option. The system will remember your choice for that one video, but the next time you watch something new, it will go back to your default setting.
Why subtitles might turn back on by themselves
Some streaming apps — including Apple TV+, Netflix, and others — have their own subtitle settings that override the Apple TV system setting. If you turn off subtitles in Apple TV settings but they still appear in a specific app, that app has its own preference.
To fix this, open the app and look for its own settings or preferences menu. The location varies by app: Netflix has subtitle settings in the app menu, while Apple TV+ puts them in the playback screen. Check the app's help section if you cannot find the setting quickly.
This is also why subtitles might be on in one app but off in another — each app remembers its own choice separately from the Apple TV system default.
Subtitle options beyond just on and off
The Subtitles and Captions menu offers more than just Off. You can also choose Closed Captions (which includes sound descriptions like "[door slams]"), SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which includes both dialogue and sound cues), or On (regular subtitles with dialogue only).
If you want subtitles on but only in certain situations — for example, only when you are watching without sound — you can leave the default set to Off and turn them on manually for each video. This gives you the most control without having to change settings constantly.
You can also adjust the text size and style of subtitles in the Accessibility settings if the default appearance is hard to read. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions and look for Display Options.
What to do if the Menu button does not work
If pressing Menu does not bring up the subtitle options, make sure you are actually in a video that is playing. The Menu button only shows playback controls when a show or movie is running — it will not work on the home screen or in an app's menu.
If you are in a video and the Menu button still does not respond, try pausing the video first, then pressing Menu. Some apps require the video to be paused before the playback menu appears.
If the remote itself is not responding, try restarting your Apple TV. Hold down the Menu and Home buttons together for about six seconds until the light on the device flashes. Wait a few seconds for it to restart, then try again.
Subtitles on different Apple TV models
The steps above work on Apple TV 4K (all generations), Apple TV HD, and the original Apple TV. The Menu button location and remote design differ slightly between models, but the subtitle controls are in the same place in the system.
If you are using an older Apple TV model or a different remote (such as a universal remote), the button names may be slightly different. Look for a button labeled Menu or Options, or consult your remote's manual to find the equivalent button.
On newer Apple TV models with the Siri Remote, the Menu button is on the top left of the remote. On older models, it is usually in the center. Either way, pressing it during playback will bring up the subtitle menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to turn off subtitles every time I watch something?
No. If you change the default in Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions and select Off, subtitles will stay off for all new content. You only have to do this once. If you want subtitles on for just one video, you can turn them on for that video alone without changing the default.
Why are subtitles on in Netflix but off everywhere else?
Netflix has its own subtitle setting that is separate from the Apple TV system setting. Open Netflix, go to its settings or account menu, and look for subtitle options there. Changing the Netflix setting will not affect other apps, and changing the Apple TV system setting will not affect Netflix.
Can I make subtitles smaller or change their color?
Yes. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions and select Display Options. You can adjust the text size, font, background color, and other appearance settings. These changes explore to all apps that use the Apple TV subtitle system.
What is the difference between Closed Captions and regular subtitles?
Closed Captions include descriptions of sounds — like "[door slams]" or "[music playing]" — in addition to dialogue. Regular subtitles show only the spoken words. SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) is similar to Closed Captions and includes both dialogue and sound descriptions.
Will turning off subtitles in Apple TV settings affect my iPhone or iPad?
No. The Apple TV system settings explore only to that Apple TV device. Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac have their own separate subtitle settings. You can turn subtitles off on Apple TV and have them on on your other devices at the same time.