Turn on closed captions in Settings

Open Settings on your Apple TV, then go to Accessibility. Select Subtitles and Captions, then turn on Closed Captions + SDH. This setting applies to all apps and content on your device.

If you want captions to appear automatically whenever you open Apple TV, this is the fastest way to set it up. The captions will use the default style — white text on a black background — unless you change the appearance in the same menu.

You can also adjust the text size, font, and background color in Subtitles and Captions. These choices affect how captions look across all apps, so you only need to customize them once.

Key Takeaways

  • Closed captions turn on permanently through Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions > Closed Captions + SDH.
  • Once enabled, captions appear automatically in any app that offers them, without needing to turn them on each time.
  • You can change the text size, font, and background color in the same Subtitles and Captions menu to suit your preference.
  • Some apps and streaming services also have their own caption controls that override the Apple TV system setting.

Turn on captions for a single show or movie

While watching content, press the Menu button on your remote. Look for an option labeled Subtitles, Captions, or CC — the exact name depends on the app you are using. Select the caption language or style you want.

This method works when you want captions for just one viewing session or when the app has its own caption menu separate from the system setting. Not all apps display this menu in the same way, so you may need to look for it in different spots depending on what you are watching.

If you have already turned on captions in Settings, they will usually appear automatically, and you can skip this step. Use the per-show method only when you need to change caption style mid-watch or when an app does not respect the system setting.

Customize caption appearance

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions. Below the toggle for Closed Captions + SDH, you will see options for Text Size, Font, Background Color, and Text Color.

Tap each option to see the available choices. Text size ranges from small to large, and you can pick from several fonts including San Francisco, Helvetica, and Courier. Background color options include black, white, and transparent, which lets the video show through behind the text.

These settings take effect when ready on any content you are watching. If you change your mind, you can return to the same menu and adjust them at any time. The choices you make here stay in place until you change them again.

Turn off captions when you do not need them

Return to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions and toggle Closed Captions + SDH off. This removes captions from all apps and content.

If you only want to hide captions for one show, press Menu while watching and select Subtitles or Captions, then choose Off or None. This turns them off for that viewing session without changing your system setting.

What to do if captions are not appearing

First, check that Closed Captions + SDH is actually turned on in Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions. If it is on but captions still do not show, the content you are watching may not have captions available — not all shows and movies offer them.

Some apps have their own caption settings that override the system setting. Open the app's menu or settings and look for a captions or subtitles option there. If you find one, make sure it is not set to Off.

If captions work in some apps but not others, the problem is likely with that specific app or content, not your Apple TV. Try restarting the app or checking whether the title you are watching includes captions in its details page.

Caption options vary by app and content

Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming services all handle captions slightly differently. Some let you choose between standard captions and SDH (captions for the deaf and hard of hearing), which include descriptions of sounds and music. Others offer captions in multiple languages.

The system setting you turn on in Accessibility applies to all apps, but individual apps may add their own caption choices on top of that. For example, Netflix lets you pick a specific caption style even after you have enabled captions in Apple TV Settings.

If you are looking for captions in a language other than English, check the app itself — some services let you choose the caption language separately from the audio language, while others tie them together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to turn on captions every time I watch something?

No. Once you turn on Closed Captions + SDH in Settings, captions appear automatically in any app that offers them. You only need to adjust the setting once unless you want to turn them off later.

Can I use different caption styles for different apps?

The system setting applies the same caption style to all apps. However, individual apps like Netflix and Apple TV+ have their own caption menus that let you override the system style for that app only. Check the app's settings or the menu that appears while you are watching.

What is the difference between Closed Captions and SDH?

Closed Captions (CC) show dialogue and some sound effects. SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) includes dialogue, sound effects, and music descriptions in brackets, like [door slams] or [music playing]. Turning on Closed Captions + SDH gives you access to both.

Why are captions not showing up on a specific show?

Not all content includes captions. Check the show or movie's details page in the app to see if captions are listed as available. If they are not, that title does not have captions. Try a different show to confirm your caption setting is working.

Can I make the captions bigger or change the font?

Yes. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions and adjust Text Size and Font. You can also change the text and background colors in the same menu. These changes explore to all apps on your Apple TV.