Turn off subtitles in three steps

To turn off subtitles on Apple TV, open the app or device you're watching on, then press the Menu button on your remote during playback. Scroll down to find Subtitles and Captions (or just Subtitles), select it, and choose Off. The subtitles will disappear when ready.

The exact menu location and button names vary slightly depending on whether you're using the Apple TV app on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or a dedicated Apple TV device — but the principle is the same across all of them. This guide walks you through each platform so you know exactly what to look for.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Menu during playback, scroll to Subtitles and Captions, and select Off to disable subtitles on any Apple TV device or app.
  • On iPhone and iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen during playback to reveal the control panel, then tap the speech bubble icon.
  • On Mac, move your cursor to the bottom of the video window to show controls, then click the speech bubble icon.
  • On a dedicated Apple TV box, use the remote's Menu button to access subtitle settings during any show or movie.
  • Turning subtitles off applies only to the current video — your next show may have subtitles on by default unless you change the system-wide setting.

Turning off subtitles on Apple TV devices

If you're using a dedicated Apple TV box (the small device connected to your television), press the Menu button on your Siri Remote while a show or movie is playing. This opens a menu at the bottom of the screen.

Scroll down using the touch pad on the remote until you see Subtitles and Captions. Select it by clicking the touch pad. A list of options will appear — choose Off at the top of the list. The subtitles will turn off when ready, and you can continue watching. If you want to turn them back on later, follow the same steps and select a language instead of Off.

Turning off subtitles on iPhone and iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, open the Apple TV app and start playing a show or movie. While the video is playing, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or tap anywhere on the video if the controls are hidden). A control panel will appear at the bottom showing play, pause, volume, and other options.

Look for a speech bubble icon — this is the subtitles button. Tap it once. A menu will pop up showing subtitle options. Select Off to disable subtitles. If you don't see the speech bubble icon, swipe up again to make sure the full control panel is visible. On some older iPad models, you may need to tap the screen first to reveal the controls.

Turning off subtitles on Mac

Open the Apple TV app on your Mac and play a show or movie. Move your cursor to the bottom of the video window — a control bar will appear automatically. Look for the speech bubble icon on the right side of the control bar, next to the volume slider.

Click the speech bubble icon. A dropdown menu will show subtitle options. Click Off to turn off subtitles. If the control bar disappears, move your cursor back to the bottom of the video to bring it back. The setting takes effect when ready.

Turning off subtitles on Apple TV on other devices

If you're watching Apple TV content through a smart TV app (Samsung, LG, Roku, Fire TV, or others), the subtitle controls are usually in the same place as on iPhone and iPad. Start playing a video, then tap or swipe to reveal the control panel. Look for the speech bubble icon and select Off.

Some smart TV apps may label this button differently — it might say CC (closed captions) instead of a speech bubble. The function is the same. If you can't find subtitle controls on your smart TV, check your TV remote's manual, as some older models require you to use the TV's own remote rather than the app controls.

Why subtitles might turn back on

Turning off subtitles during one show does not change the default for all future shows. Each video you watch may start with subtitles on again, depending on your system settings and the content itself. Some shows are set to display subtitles by default, and you'll need to turn them off each time you start a new episode or movie.

If you want subtitles off by default across all content, you can change your system-wide accessibility settings. On Apple TV devices, go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions and toggle it off. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions and turn off Closed Captions + SDH. This prevents subtitles from appearing automatically, though individual shows may still override this setting.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is looking for subtitles in the wrong menu. On Apple TV devices, don't go into Settings — use the Menu button during playback instead. Settings control system-wide defaults, while the Menu button controls what's happening right now. If you change the system setting but subtitles are still on, it means the show itself has subtitles forced on, and you'll need to use the playback menu to turn them off.

Another mistake is confusing the speech bubble icon with other icons on the control panel. The speech bubble is specifically for subtitles. The gear icon opens video quality settings, and the audio icon controls which audio track plays (useful for switching languages). If you tap the wrong icon, just tap the speech bubble and you'll be in the right place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to turn off subtitles every time I watch something new?

Yes, unless you change your system-wide accessibility settings. Turning off subtitles during one video does not carry over to the next show or movie. If you want subtitles off by default, go to your device's Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions and disable them there. Keep in mind that some content may override this setting.

What if I don't see a speech bubble icon on my device?

Make sure the control panel is fully visible. On iPhone and iPad, swipe up from the bottom again. On Mac, move your cursor back to the bottom of the video. On Apple TV, press Menu again to make sure the menu is open. If you still don't see it, your device may not support subtitle controls through the app — check your device's manual or try adjusting subtitles through your TV remote instead.

Can I turn off subtitles for just one language but keep others on?

No. The subtitle menu shows you a list of available languages, and you can switch between them, but you can only have one language on at a time or turn subtitles off completely. You cannot disable English subtitles while keeping Spanish subtitles on, for example.

Why are subtitles still on after I selected Off?

You may have changed the playback setting but not the system-wide setting. Go to your device's Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions and make sure subtitles are disabled there as well. If subtitles are still appearing, the show itself may have forced subtitles, which is rare but happens with some content.

Does turning off subtitles on one Apple TV device affect other devices I own?

No. Each device has its own subtitle settings. If you turn off subtitles on your iPhone, they may still be on when you watch on your Apple TV box or Mac. You'll need to adjust the setting on each device separately, or change the system-wide accessibility setting on each one.