Change subtitles or languages for videos in the Apple TV app

Find out how to choose audio languages, subtitles, closed captions and other accessibility features in the Apple TV app.

On your Apple TV, smart TV or streaming device

Turn on subtitles or audio languages using the remote for your Apple TV, smart TV or streaming device.

Subtitles on your Apple TV, smart TV or streaming device

  1. On a Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote, press the Play/Pause button while watching a video to bring up the playback controls. Or on a remote for a smart TV, streaming device or games console, press the button that brings up the video timeline.

  2. Use your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote to swipe up and select the Subtitles buttonnull. Or use your smart TV, streaming device or games console remote to navigate to the Subtitles buttonnull.

    The Apple TV app is paused and the controls are displayed. The episode is Something’s Changed from Invasion. In the bottom right, the Subtitle Language button and Audio button are above the progress bar.

  3. Choose the subtitles that you want.

To change the default subtitles language in Settings, go to Settings > Video and Audio > Audio > Subtitle Language, then choose the language you want. If you don't want automatic subtitles and you're using an Apple TV, go to Settings > Video and Audio, then turn off Automatic Subtitles. If you're using a smart TV or streaming device, go to Settings > General, then turn off Automatic Subtitles.

Find out how to turn on CC or SDH by default

On Apple TV (3rd generation), hold down Select on your remote for 3 seconds while a video is playing to see the Subtitles tab.

Audio languages on your Apple TV, smart TV or streaming device

  1. On a Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote, press the Play/Pause button while watching a video to bring up the playback controls. Or on a remote for a smart TV, streaming device or games console, press the button that brings up the video timeline.

  2. Use your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote to swipe up and select the Audio buttonnull. Or use your smart TV, streaming device or games console remote to navigate to the Audio buttonnull.

    The Apple TV app is paused and the controls are displayed. The episode is Something’s Changed from Invasion. In the bottom right, the Subtitle Language button and Audio button are above the progress bar.

  3. Choose the audio language that you want.

To change the default audio language in Settings, go to Settings > Video and Audio > Audio > Audio Language, then choose the language you want.

On iPhone or iPad

Turn on subtitles or audio languages on your iPhone, iPad or Apple Vision Pro.

Subtitles on your iPhone or iPad

  1. While watching a video, tap the screen to open the playback controls.

  2. Tap the Subtitles buttonnull.

    On an iPhone, the Apple TV app is paused and the controls are displayed. The episode is Something’s Changed from Invasion. In the bottom right, the Subtitle Language button and Audio button are above the progress bar.

  3. Choose subtitles that you want.

Find out how to turn on CC or SDH by default

Audio languages on your iPhone or iPad

  1. While watching a video, tap the screen to open the playback controls.

  2. Tap the Languages buttonnull.

    On an iPhone, the Apple TV app is paused and the controls are displayed. The episode is Something’s Changed from Invasion. In the bottom right, the Subtitle Language button and Audio button are above the progress bar.

  3. Choose the audio language that you want.

To choose the audio languages that are downloaded with your videos, open the Settings app, scroll down and tap TV, then tap Languages. Tap Add Language and choose the languages that you want to add.

On Mac, PC or the web

Turn on subtitles or audio languages on your Mac, PC or tv.apple.com.

Subtitles on Mac, PC or the web

  1. Move your pointer over the video.

  2. Click the Languages buttonnull.

    On a MacBook Air, the Apple TV app is paused and the controls are displayed. The episode is Something’s Changed from Invasion. In the bottom right, the Subtitle Language button and Audio button are above the progress bar.

  3. Choose the language or subtitles that you want to use.

Find out how to turn on CC or SDH by default

Audio languages on Mac, PC or the web

  1. Move your pointer over the video.

  2. Click the Audio buttonnull.

    On a MacBook Air, the Apple TV app is paused and the controls are displayed. The episode is Something’s Changed from Invasion. In the bottom right, the Subtitle Language button and Audio button are above the progress bar.

  3. Choose the audio language that you want.

On Apple Vision Pro

  1. While watching a video, tap the screen to open the playback controls.

  2. Tap the More Controls buttonnull.

  3. Choose Subtitles or Languages.

  4. Pick the subtitles or audio language that you want.

  5. Find out how to turn on CC or SDH by default

If you can't see subtitles or language options

If you can't see subtitles or language options, they may not be available for that show or film. Check the show or film descriptions page in the Apple TV app to find out what subtitles or languages are available.

Turn on CC or SDH by default

If you can't see an option for SDH, you can turn on CC or SDH by default. You can also look in the Apple TV app to see whether films and TV shows have accessibility features.

On iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro smart TV or streaming device

  1. Go to Settings and choose Accessibility.

  2. Under Hearing, choose Subtitles and Captioning.

  3. Choose "Closed Captions + SDH" to turn it on.

  4. To customise captions and subtitles, choose Style, then select an option.

On Mac

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings (or System Preferences), then click Accessibility.

  2. Click Captions.

  3. Select "Prefer closed captions and SDH" to turn it on.

To customise captions and subtitles, choose from the options on this screen.

Films and TV shows aren't available in all countries and regions. See what’s available in your country or region. Languages and accessibility features supported by a film or TV show vary by country and region.

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