Where to Find the Subtitles Button

Open the show or movie you want to watch, then tap or click the screen to bring up the playback controls. In the bottom right corner, you will see a speech bubble icon with lines through it — that is the subtitles button. On an iPhone or iPad, it appears next to the volume control. On a Mac or Apple TV device, it sits in the same row as the play button and progress bar.

If you do not see the controls, tap or click the center of the screen once. The controls disappear after a few seconds of inactivity, so tap again if they have faded.

Key Takeaways

  • The subtitles button is a speech bubble icon in the playback controls at the bottom of the screen.
  • Tap or click the speech bubble, then select a language from the list that appears.
  • You can turn subtitles on and off at any point during playback without restarting the video.
  • If no subtitle option appears, the show or movie does not have subtitles available in your region.
  • Your subtitle choice applies only to that single video — each show or movie starts with subtitles off unless you have set a default in Settings.

Selecting a Subtitle Language

After you tap the speech bubble icon, a menu appears with the available subtitle languages. English is usually listed first. Tap the language you want, and subtitles will appear at the bottom of the screen within a second or two.

Some shows and movies offer subtitles in multiple languages — Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, and others depending on the title and your region. The menu shows only the languages available for that specific video.

Turning Subtitles Off

To turn subtitles off, tap the screen to bring up the controls again, then tap the speech bubble icon. At the top of the menu, you will see an option labeled "Off" — tap it to remove the subtitles from the screen.

Subtitles will remain off for that video until you turn them back on. If you close the app and return to the same show later, subtitles will be off again unless you have changed your default settings.

Setting a Default Subtitle Preference

If you want subtitles to turn on automatically for every show and movie, you can set a default in the Apple TV app settings. On an iPhone or iPad, open the Apple TV app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, then tap Settings. Scroll down and look for Subtitles or Accessibility options.

On an Apple TV device, go to Settings from the main menu, then select Apps, then Apple TV. Look for Subtitles or Accessibility. The exact menu names vary slightly depending on your device and which version of tvOS or iOS you are running, but the Subtitles option is always in the same general area.

Once you find the Subtitles setting, you can choose to have subtitles always on, always off, or set to match your device's language. This default applies to all videos you watch going forward, though you can still override it for any single video by using the speech bubble button during playback.

When Subtitles Are Not Available

Some shows and movies do not have subtitles, even if they are available in other regions. This is usually because the content owner has not provided subtitle files to Apple, or the licensing agreement for that title does not include subtitles in your country.

If you tap the speech bubble and see only "Off" with no language options, subtitles are not available for that video. You cannot create or add subtitles yourself through the Apple TV app. Your only option is to watch without them or choose a different title that does have subtitles.

Subtitles on Different Apple Devices

The process is the same across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, but the button location and menu appearance vary slightly. On a Mac, the speech bubble icon may be smaller and positioned slightly differently depending on your screen size. On an Apple TV connected to your television, the menu is larger and designed for a remote control rather than a touchscreen.

If you are using AirPlay to stream from your iPhone to an Apple TV, the subtitles will appear on the television screen. The controls remain on your phone, so you tap the speech bubble on your phone to change subtitle settings, and the change takes effect on the TV when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I not see a subtitles button in the playback controls?

The most common reason is that subtitles are not available for that particular show or movie. Tap the screen to make sure the controls are visible, then look for the speech bubble icon. If it is not there, the content does not have subtitles in your region. Some live events and sports broadcasts also do not support subtitles.

Can I change the size or color of the subtitles?

The Apple TV app does not offer subtitle customization within the app itself. However, you can adjust subtitle appearance through your device's accessibility settings. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions. On Apple TV, go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captions. These system-level changes affect subtitles across all apps, not just Apple TV.

Do subtitles work if I am watching with a family member whose language is different?

Yes. Each person can use their own device to watch the same video with different subtitle languages, or one person can use the speech bubble button to switch languages during playback. The subtitle choice does not affect the audio — the show or movie will still play in its original language.

Will my subtitle choice save if I stop watching and come back later?

No. The Apple TV app does not remember your subtitle choice for individual videos. When you return to a show or movie you were watching, subtitles will be off unless you have set a default in Settings. You will need to tap the speech bubble and select your language again.