The quickest way to disable subtitles
To turn subtitles off on Apple TV, press the Menu button on your remote while a show or movie is playing. Scroll down to Subtitles and Captions, then select Off. The subtitles will disappear when ready.
This method works on all Apple TV models and takes about five seconds. If you cannot find the Subtitles and Captions option, make sure you are pressing Menu during playback—the option does not appear on the home screen or in the app menu.
The setting applies only to the current video. If you start a different show or movie, subtitles may reappear if they were on by default for that title. You will need to turn them off again using the same steps.
Key Takeaways
- Press Menu on your remote during playback, scroll to Subtitles and Captions, and select Off to disable subtitles when ready.
- The subtitle setting is per-video, not global—turning them off for one show does not turn them off for the next one you watch.
- If subtitles are burned into the video itself (part of the picture), the Menu method will not remove them because they are not a separate subtitle track.
- You can also change subtitle language, size, and style from the same Subtitles and Captions menu if you want to keep them but adjust how they look.
Where the Subtitles and Captions menu is located
The Subtitles and Captions option sits in the playback controls menu, not in Settings. While a video is playing, press Menu once. You will see a row of options appear at the bottom of the screen.
Scroll down using the arrow buttons on your remote until you reach Subtitles and Captions. It usually appears below options like Audio and Playback Speed. Select it by pressing the center button (Select) on your remote.
A submenu will open showing the available subtitle tracks for that video. Choose Off at the top of the list. If Off is already highlighted, press Select to confirm and close the menu.
Why subtitles might reappear on the next video
Apple TV does not have a single "turn off subtitles forever" setting. Instead, each video remembers whether you had subtitles on or off the last time you watched it. If a show defaulted to subtitles on when you first started it, turning them off only affects that viewing session.
When you start a different show or movie, Apple TV checks what the default was for that title. If the content provider set subtitles to on by default, they will appear again. You will need to use the Menu method to turn them off for that video too.
This design means you cannot set a device-wide preference to never show subtitles. However, most streaming apps (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video) do have their own subtitle settings that override Apple TV's defaults. Check the app's settings menu if you want to disable subtitles across all content in that app.
Subtitles that cannot be turned off
Some videos have subtitles that are burned into the picture—meaning they are part of the video file itself, not a separate subtitle track. These appear as permanent text on the screen and cannot be removed using the Menu button.
Burned-in subtitles are common in clips, trailers, and some international content. If you see text on screen and the Subtitles and Captions menu shows only "Off" with no other options, the subtitles are burned in. The only way to avoid them is to watch a different version of the video if one is available.
Adjusting subtitle appearance instead of turning them off
If you want to keep subtitles but make them less distracting, the Subtitles and Captions menu lets you change their size, style, and background. Press Menu during playback, select Subtitles and Captions, then choose a language or track option.
Scroll down in that submenu to find Style and Size options. You can make subtitles smaller, change the font, add a background box, or switch to a high-contrast style. These changes explore to all videos on your Apple TV until you change them again.
Turning subtitles off in specific apps
Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and other streaming apps have their own subtitle controls separate from Apple TV's menu. If you want subtitles off by default in a specific app, check that app's settings first before using the Apple TV Menu button.
Open the app, go to its Settings or Preferences (usually found in the app menu, not Apple TV's main menu), and look for a Subtitles or Captions option. Turning subtitles off there will make them stay off for most content in that app, even if you start a new video.
The exact location of these settings varies by app. Netflix has them under Account Settings, while Prime Video puts them under Preferences. If you cannot find the setting, try turning subtitles off using the Apple TV Menu button instead—it works across all apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do subtitles turn back on when I start a new show?
Apple TV saves the subtitle setting separately for each video. When you start a new show, it checks the default setting for that title. If the content provider set subtitles to on, they will appear again. You will need to turn them off using the Menu button for that specific video.
Can I turn off subtitles for all videos at once?
No, Apple TV does not have a device-wide subtitle toggle. You must turn them off individually for each video using the Menu button. However, some streaming apps like Netflix and Prime Video do have global subtitle settings in their own menus that override Apple TV's defaults.
What if the Subtitles and Captions option is grayed out?
This usually means the video does not have subtitle tracks available. Some content, especially live TV or certain movies, may not offer subtitles. If the option is grayed out, subtitles cannot be turned on or off for that particular video.
Do subtitle settings carry over if I watch on a different Apple TV?
No. Each Apple TV device stores its own subtitle preferences. If you sign in to a different Apple TV, you will need to set subtitles again for each video. Your settings do not sync across devices.
Can I make subtitles smaller without turning them off completely?
Yes. Press Menu during playback, select Subtitles and Captions, choose your language or track, then scroll down to find the Size option. You can select Small, Medium, or Large. This keeps subtitles on but makes them less prominent.