Turn on subtitles in three steps on any device
To get subtitles on Disney Plus, open the title you want to watch, select the speech bubble icon during playback, and choose your language and caption style. The speech bubble appears in the bottom right of the player on most devices — on phones and tablets it may be under a menu icon instead. Once you pick a language, subtitles stay on for that title; you can turn them off the same way.
The exact location of the button changes slightly by device. On a web browser or smart TV, look for the speech bubble in the lower right corner of the video player. On a phone or tablet, tap the three-dot menu icon, then look for captions or subtitles. On a Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV, use the same method — open the menu during playback and select captions.
Disney Plus offers subtitles in multiple languages for most titles. When you tap the speech bubble, you will see a list that includes English (US), English (UK), Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and others depending on the title. You can also choose caption styles — some titles let you pick the text size and background color to make them easier to read.
Key Takeaways
- The subtitle button is a speech bubble icon in the bottom right corner of the video player on most devices, or under a menu on phones and tablets.
- Disney Plus offers subtitles in multiple languages, and your choice stays active for that title until you change it.
- Some titles let you adjust caption style, including text size and background color, through the same menu.
- If subtitles do not appear after you select them, try refreshing the page or restarting the app, as this usually fixes display problems.
Where the subtitle button is on each device type
On a computer or laptop, the speech bubble icon sits in the bottom right corner of the video player, next to the volume and fullscreen buttons. Click it once to open the language and style menu. If you do not see it, move your mouse over the video — the player controls appear after a few seconds of inactivity.
On an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, tap the three-dot menu icon (or sometimes labeled "more") in the upper right corner of the video player during playback. This opens a menu with options including subtitles or captions. Select it, then pick your language. On some older versions of the Disney Plus app, the button may be labeled "CC" instead of a speech bubble.
On a smart TV, Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV, use your remote to navigate the player controls during playback. The subtitle option is usually in the same menu as volume and playback speed. Press the menu or options button on your remote, then look for captions or subtitles. The exact button name varies by device, but the function is the same.
What to do if subtitles are not showing up
If you selected subtitles but they are not appearing on screen, first check that you actually chose a language — sometimes the menu closes without saving your choice. Open the subtitle menu again and confirm a language is highlighted or checked. If it is, try pausing the video and playing it again; sometimes subtitles need a moment to load.
If that does not work, close the Disney Plus app completely and reopen it, or refresh the page if you are using a web browser. This clears temporary glitches that can prevent captions from displaying. On a smart TV or streaming device, you can also try restarting the device itself by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in.
On rare occasions, a specific title may not have subtitles in your chosen language, even though most Disney Plus content does. If the subtitle menu shows no languages available, that title may not have captions. Try a different title to confirm the feature is working, then contact Disney Plus support if subtitles are missing from multiple shows.
Subtitle languages and caption styles available
Most Disney Plus titles include subtitles in at least English, Spanish, and French. Larger titles and newer releases often add German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Turkish, Arabic, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Cantonese. The exact languages depend on the title and your region — a show available in your country may have fewer language options than the same show in another country.
Beyond language choice, some titles let you customize how captions look. You can usually adjust text size (small, medium, or large), background color (black, white, or transparent), and text color. These options appear in the same menu as language selection. Not every title offers all customization options, but most newer releases do.
Disney Plus also distinguishes between subtitles and closed captions. Subtitles translate dialogue from one language to another. Closed captions (labeled CC) include dialogue plus sound descriptions — things like "[door slams]" or "[music plays]" — which help deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers follow the full audio experience. Both are usually available in the same menu.
How to turn subtitles off or change them mid-show
You can turn subtitles off at any time by opening the subtitle menu again and selecting "off" or "none." This is usually at the top of the language list. Your choice takes effect when ready — you do not need to pause or restart the video. If you turn subtitles off and then want them back, the same menu remembers your last language choice and will turn them back on in that language.
To switch languages mid-show, open the subtitle menu and pick a different language. The change happens when ready; you do not lose your place in the video. Disney Plus remembers your language choice for that specific title, so if you watch it again later, subtitles will be in the language you last selected.
If you want to change your default subtitle language across all titles, check the account settings. On the web, go to your profile icon, select Account, then Playback Settings. Some devices let you set a default language there, though not all do. On phones and tablets, this option is usually in the app settings under Subtitles or Captions.
Subtitles on Disney Plus with a shared account
If multiple people use the same Disney Plus account, each profile can have its own subtitle settings. When you log in under your profile and set subtitles to a language, that choice applies only to your profile. When someone else logs in under their profile, their subtitle settings are separate.
To set up a profile-specific subtitle preference, log in under your profile, go to Account Settings, and look for Playback Settings or Subtitle Preferences. Not all devices support per-profile settings, but most do. On devices that do not, the last person to watch will have their subtitle choice active for the next viewer, so you may need to change it each time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make subtitles bigger or change their color?
Yes, on most titles. Open the subtitle menu during playback and look for a "style" or "customize" option. You can usually adjust text size, background color, and text color. Not every title offers all options, but newer releases and popular shows typically do. The changes explore only to that title unless your device lets you set a default style in settings.
Why do some titles not have subtitles in my language?
Subtitle availability depends on the title and your region. Newer releases and popular shows usually have subtitles in many languages, but older titles or regional content may have fewer options. If a title shows no languages available, it may not have captions in any language. Try another title to confirm the feature is working.
Do subtitles work on all Disney Plus devices?
Yes, subtitles are available on web browsers, phones, tablets, smart TVs, Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, and most other devices that support Disney Plus. The button location changes by device, but the feature works the same way everywhere. If subtitles do not appear on one device, try another to narrow down whether it is a device issue or a title issue.
Can I set subtitles to turn on automatically for every show?
Disney Plus does not have a global "always on" setting that applies to all titles at once. However, once you turn on subtitles for a title, they stay on for that title the next time you watch it. You can also set a default language in your account settings on some devices, which makes subtitles appear in that language by default when you start a new title.
What is the difference between subtitles and closed captions on Disney Plus?
Subtitles translate dialogue from one language to another. Closed captions (CC) include dialogue plus descriptions of sounds — like "[door slams]" or "[music plays]" — and are designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. Disney Plus usually offers both in the same menu, and you can choose whichever you prefer.