How to Make Subtitles Bigger on Apple TV

Change subtitle size in Settings

To increase subtitle size on Apple TV, go to Settings on your home screen, then select Accessibility. From there, choose Subtitles and Captions, then Style. You will see a Text Size option with a slider that ranges from small to large. Move the slider to the right to make subtitles bigger, and the preview text below will show you how the change looks in real time.

This method works on all Apple TV models running tvOS 11 or later. The change applies to most apps that support subtitles, including Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, and others. Some third-party apps may not respect this system-wide setting, so you may need to adjust subtitle size within those apps separately.

Key Takeaways

Open Settings, then Accessibility, then Subtitles and Captions, then Style to find the Text Size slider.
The slider ranges from small to large, and you can see a live preview of your chosen size before saving.
The system-wide setting applies to most streaming apps, but some apps have their own subtitle controls you may need to adjust separately.
If subtitles still look too small after maxing out the system setting, check the individual app's settings for an additional size option.

Adjust subtitles within individual apps

Some apps do not use Apple TV's system-wide subtitle settings and instead have their own controls. Netflix, for example, lets you change subtitle size directly in the app. While watching a show or movie, press the Menu button on your remote, then look for a subtitles or captions option. The exact menu location varies by app, but most streaming services put it near playback controls.

If you cannot find subtitle settings in an app's menu during playback, check the app's main settings. Open the app, go to its settings or preferences section (usually found in a menu or gear icon), and look for a Subtitles, Captions, or Accessibility section. Not every app offers size adjustment, but the major ones—Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Prime Video—do.

Use the Larger Accessibility Text option

Apple TV also offers a broader text enlargement setting that affects subtitles along with menus and other on-screen text. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display and Text Size, then toggle on Larger Accessibility Sizes. This will make all text on your Apple TV bigger, not just subtitles.

This option is useful if you find the standard subtitle size slider does not go large enough, or if you want menus and app text to be bigger as well. However, it affects the entire interface, so some apps may display text in unexpected ways. Test it with a show or movie you know well to see if the change works for you.

What to do if subtitles are still too small

If you have maxed out both the system subtitle size and the Larger Accessibility Sizes setting and subtitles are still hard to read, the issue may be your TV's display settings rather than Apple TV itself. Check your television's picture settings to make sure the picture is not zoomed in or cropped, which can make on-screen text appear smaller than intended. Look for options like Picture Size, Zoom, or Overscan in your TV's menu.

You can also try moving your seating closer to the screen or adjusting the brightness and contrast on your TV to make text stand out more. If subtitles are still difficult to read after these changes, consider whether your TV's resolution or refresh rate settings are correct—a TV set to the wrong resolution can make text blurry or small.

Subtitle style options beyond size

The Subtitles and Captions menu in Accessibility offers more than just size control. You can also change the font, background color, and text color to make subtitles easier to read. For example, white text on a black background is often easier to read than other combinations, and a sans-serif font is typically clearer than a serif font on a TV screen.

To adjust these settings, go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions > Style. You will see options for Font, Text Color, Background Color, and Background Opacity. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your vision and your TV's display.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do subtitle size changes work on all streaming apps?

Most major apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu respect Apple TV's system subtitle settings, but some smaller or older apps may not. If an app does not follow your system settings, check that app's own menu during playback or in its settings section for subtitle controls.

Can I make subtitles even bigger than the maximum slider setting?

The Text Size slider in Accessibility is the primary control, but you can combine it with the Larger Accessibility Sizes option in Display and Text Size for additional enlargement. If both are maxed out and subtitles are still too small, the limitation is likely your TV's display rather than Apple TV.

Will changing subtitle size affect other text on my Apple TV?

The Text Size slider under Subtitles and Captions affects only subtitles. If you want to enlarge menus and app text as well, use the Larger Accessibility Sizes option under Display and Text Size, which affects the entire interface.

What if my TV is cutting off the edges of the screen?

This is an overscan issue on your TV, not Apple TV. Check your television's picture settings for options like Picture Size, Zoom, or Overscan, and adjust them so the full image displays without being cropped. This will also make subtitles appear larger relative to the screen.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.