Turn on subtitles in the Apple TV app or on your Apple TV device
Subtitles on Apple TV turn on through the playback menu while a show or movie is playing. The exact steps depend on whether you are using the Apple TV app on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or streaming device, or watching on an Apple TV box. In all cases, you access subtitles during playback, not before — there is no setting to turn them on permanently across all content.
The fastest route is to pause what you are watching, look for a menu icon (usually three horizontal lines or a gear), and select the subtitle or closed caption option. From there you choose a language or turn subtitles off. If you cannot find the menu, swipe up on your remote or screen to reveal playback controls.
Key Takeaways
- Subtitles turn on during playback through a menu icon, not through a settings screen before you press play.
- On an Apple TV box, swipe up on the Siri Remote to reveal the playback menu, then select subtitles or closed captions.
- On iPhone, iPad, or Mac, tap the screen during playback to show controls, then tap the speech bubble or menu icon to access subtitle options.
- You can choose from available languages, or select "Off" to hide subtitles — the choice applies only to that episode or movie.
- If subtitles are not available for a title, the subtitle button will not appear in the playback menu.
Steps on an Apple TV box with Siri Remote
Start playing the show or movie you want to watch. Once playback begins, swipe up on the Siri Remote touchpad. This reveals the playback controls at the bottom of the screen, including a row of icons.
Look for an icon that looks like a speech bubble or a box with lines inside it — this is the subtitle button. Tap it once. A menu appears showing the available subtitle languages for that title, plus an "Off" option at the top.
Select the language you want, or tap "Off" to turn subtitles off. The choice takes effect when ready. If you are watching a series, you will need to repeat this step for each new episode — the setting does not carry over automatically.
Steps on iPhone, iPad, or in the Apple TV app on Mac
Open the Apple TV app and start playing your content. Once the video begins, tap anywhere on the screen. The playback controls appear at the bottom, including a row of buttons on the right side.
Look for a button that resembles a speech bubble or a box with lines. On some devices this button shows as "CC" (closed captions). Tap it once. A list of available subtitle languages appears, along with an "Off" option.
Choose your language or select "Off". The subtitles appear or disappear within seconds. Like the Apple TV box, this setting applies only to the current episode or movie — you will need to set it again for the next title.
What to do if you cannot find the subtitle button
If the subtitle button does not appear in the playback menu, it usually means subtitles are not available for that particular title. Not all shows and movies on Apple TV include subtitle tracks. Check the title's information page before you start playing to see whether subtitles are listed as an available feature.
If you believe subtitles should be available, try pausing and resuming playback, or closing the app and reopening it. Occasionally a subtitle track fails to load on the first try. If the problem persists after a restart, the title may genuinely not have subtitles in your region or language.
Closed captions versus subtitles on Apple TV
Apple TV offers both subtitles and closed captions, and they are not always the same thing. Subtitles show dialogue only, translated into your chosen language. Closed captions (marked "CC") include dialogue plus descriptions of sounds — music cues, door slams, phone rings — and are designed for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
If you see both options in the menu, choose based on what you need. Closed captions give you more information about what is happening on screen, while subtitles are simpler and less cluttered. Both appear in the same location on your screen.
Changing subtitle appearance and size
Apple TV does not offer subtitle customization within the app itself — you cannot change font size, color, or background directly from playback. However, if you are watching on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can adjust how subtitles look through your device's accessibility settings.
On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captioning. On Mac, go to System Settings > Accessibility > Captions. From there you can change text size, font, background color, and other appearance options. These changes explore to subtitles across all apps on that device, not just Apple TV.
On an Apple TV box, subtitle appearance is controlled by your TV's settings, not the Apple TV device itself. Check your television's menu for caption or subtitle options if you want to adjust how they look.
Troubleshooting subtitles that do not appear
If you turned subtitles on but they are not showing, first check that you selected a language rather than "Off". Pause the video, swipe up (or tap the screen), and tap the subtitle button again to confirm your choice.
If subtitles are set to a language but still do not appear, try closing the app completely and reopening it. On an Apple TV box, hold down the Menu button on the Siri Remote until the app closes. On iPhone or iPad, swipe up from the bottom to close the app, then tap it again to reopen.
If subtitles still do not show after a restart, the title may not have subtitles available in your region, or there may be a temporary issue with that particular episode or movie. Try playing a different title to see whether subtitles work elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn on subtitles before I press play?
No. Subtitles only turn on during playback through the playback menu. There is no setting to enable them ahead of time or to keep them on for all future titles. You will need to turn them on for each show or movie you watch.
Do subtitles stay on if I pause and resume?
Yes. Once you turn subtitles on for a title, they remain on while you pause, resume, or skip forward and backward within that same episode or movie. When you move to the next episode or a different title, you will need to turn them on again.
Why do some titles not have subtitles?
Not all content on Apple TV includes subtitle tracks. Older titles, some live sports events, and certain international programs may not have subtitles available. If a title does not offer subtitles, the subtitle button will not appear in the playback menu.
Can I get subtitles in a language other than English?
Yes, if that language is available for the title. When you tap the subtitle button during playback, you see a list of all languages with subtitle tracks. The available languages vary by title and region. If your language is not listed, subtitles in that language are not available for that particular show or movie.
Do I need to change my Apple TV settings to see subtitles?
No. Subtitles are turned on through the playback menu only. Your Apple TV device settings do not control whether subtitles appear — only your choice during playback does. The only exception is on Mac, iPhone, or iPad, where accessibility settings can change how subtitles look.