The fastest way to disable subtitles
Open the show or movie you are watching. Press the Menu button on your Apple TV remote — the one with three horizontal lines. Scroll down to Subtitles and Captions, then select Off. The subtitles will disappear when ready.
If you are using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to control your Apple TV, swipe up from the bottom of the screen while the video is playing to reveal the playback controls. Tap the speech bubble icon (the one that looks like a chat bubble), then choose Off from the menu.
This method works on all Apple TV models and turns off subtitles for that single video only. The next time you watch something, subtitles will return to whatever your default setting is.
Key Takeaways
- Press Menu on your remote, scroll to Subtitles and Captions, and select Off to disable subtitles for the current video.
- On iPhone or iPad, swipe up during playback and tap the speech bubble icon to access subtitle controls.
- Turning off subtitles this way affects only the video you are watching, not your account-wide settings.
- To change your default subtitle preference for all videos, go to Settings on your Apple TV and adjust Accessibility options.
Changing your default subtitle setting in Settings
If you want subtitles off by default for everything you watch, you need to change your Apple TV settings. Go to Settings on your Apple TV home screen, then select Accessibility.
Scroll down to Subtitles and Captions and select Off. From this point forward, subtitles will not appear unless you turn them back on for a specific video. This setting applies to your entire Apple TV account, so any profile on that device will see subtitles off by default.
If you share your Apple TV with others who prefer subtitles on, you can create separate profiles. Each profile can have its own subtitle preference, so one person can watch with subtitles and another without.
Why subtitles might turn back on
Sometimes subtitles reappear even after you turn them off. This usually happens because the show or movie itself has forced subtitles for certain scenes — typically when characters speak a language other than the main audio track. Apple TV will display these subtitles regardless of your setting.
Another reason subtitles may turn back on is if you switch between different audio languages. When you change the audio language, Apple TV sometimes resets the subtitle preference to match that language. Check your subtitle setting again after changing audio.
If you are streaming from a third-party app like Netflix or Disney+, those apps have their own subtitle controls separate from Apple TV's settings. Turning off subtitles in Apple TV Settings will not affect subtitles in those apps — you must turn them off within each app individually.
Controlling subtitles on different Apple TV models
The Siri Remote (the newer aluminum remote with a touch surface) uses the Menu button at the top. Press it once during playback, then navigate to Subtitles and Captions.
The older Apple TV remote with physical buttons also has a Menu button — it is the one with three horizontal lines. The process is identical: press Menu, find Subtitles and Captions, and select Off.
If you have an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, both remotes work the same way. The difference is mainly in how the remote feels in your hand, not in how you control subtitles.
Using voice commands to turn off subtitles
If your Apple TV has Siri built in, you can use voice commands. Hold down the Siri button on your remote and say "Turn off subtitles" or "Disable captions." Siri will process the command and disable subtitles for the current video.
Voice commands work best if you have already started playing a video. Siri may not understand the request if you try it from the home screen. If the voice command does not work, fall back to using the Menu button method — it is more reliable.
Subtitles in apps versus Apple TV itself
Apple TV's built-in apps like TV, Movies, and Fitness+ use Apple TV's subtitle settings. If you turn off subtitles in Settings, they will be off in these apps by default.
Third-party apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Prime Video have their own subtitle controls. These apps ignore Apple TV's system settings and use only their own preferences. You must go into each app's settings separately to turn off subtitles there.
To change subtitles in a third-party app, open the app, start playing a video, press Menu, and look for a Subtitles or Captions option. The exact location varies by app, but it is usually near the audio language selector.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off subtitles in Settings affect subtitles in Netflix or other apps?
No. Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and other streaming apps have their own subtitle settings that are completely separate from Apple TV's system settings. You must turn off subtitles within each app individually. Changing Apple TV Settings will not affect them.
Can I turn off subtitles just for one show but keep them on for others?
Yes. Press Menu during playback of any video and select Subtitles and Captions, then choose Off. This turns off subtitles only for that video. The next time you watch something else, subtitles will return to your default setting.
Why do subtitles keep turning back on during a movie?
The movie or show likely has forced subtitles for certain scenes — usually when characters speak a different language. These subtitles appear automatically and cannot be turned off, even if you have subtitles disabled. Once the scene ends, your subtitle setting will take effect again.
Do I need to turn off subtitles separately for each profile on my Apple TV?
No. If you change the default in Settings, all profiles on that Apple TV will have subtitles off by default. However, each profile can override this setting individually while watching. If you want different profiles to have different defaults, you must change Settings while logged into each profile separately.
What if the Menu button does not work on my remote?
Try restarting your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. If the Menu button still does not respond, the remote may need new batteries or a repair. As a workaround, use your iPhone or iPad to control Apple TV — swipe up during playback and tap the speech bubble icon to access subtitles.