While a video is playing in the Apple TV app, open its playback controls and choose Subtitles to select or turn off subtitles, or Audio or Languages to choose an available audio track. How you open the controls—and the exact button label—depends on your device.
Change subtitles or audio during playback
Start playing the show or film, reveal the playback controls, and choose the subtitle or audio option. Apple’s menu labels and layouts can vary by device, software version, country, and region.
Apple TV, smart TV, or streaming device
- While the video plays, press the remote’s play/pause button or use its timeline control to show playback controls.
- Select Subtitles, then choose an available language or turn subtitles off.
- To change spoken audio, select Audio and choose an available language.
The control and remote button can differ across television models and streaming devices. Some features may not be available on every smart TV, streaming device, or console. See Apple’s cross-device instructions.
iPhone, iPad, or Android device
- Tap the video while it is playing to show the controls.
- Tap Subtitles and choose an available option, or turn subtitles off.
- To change the spoken track, tap Languages and select an available audio language.
On iPhone or iPad, settings for languages downloaded with videos are separate from selecting a track during playback; consult Apple’s device-specific instructions for that settings route.
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Mac, PC, or web browser
- Move the pointer over the playing video to show the controls.
- Choose the subtitle or language control, then select an available subtitle or audio option.
Apple Vision Pro
- Open the playback controls while the video plays.
- Open More Controls, choose Subtitles or Languages, and select an available option.
Apple documents these playback-control routes in its guide to subtitle and audio controls.
Choose the right caption or audio option
Subtitles, closed captions, and SDH
Subtitles generally show dialogue, often in a language different from the spoken track. Closed captions and subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH) are accessibility options that can include dialogue and other relevant audio information. They appear only when provided for that title.
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When supported, you can enable Closed Captions and SDH in the Apple TV app’s accessibility settings and select or customize caption styles. Some devices also have a device-level CC/SDH preference, so the menu path depends on the device. Apple’s accessibility settings guide covers supported TVs and living-room devices.
Audio descriptions
Audio descriptions are a separate accessibility audio track describing visual information; they are not a translated dialogue track. If a video includes one, open Audio or Audio Options during playback and choose the described track if it appears.
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Set subtitle defaults on Apple TV 4K
To configure default subtitle behavior on Apple TV 4K, open Settings > Video and Audio. Apple’s tvOS 27 guide documents options for a preferred subtitle language and for showing subtitles with different-language content, while muted, or after skipping back. The settings affect defaults and automatic behavior; they do not add a subtitle track to a video that lacks one. See Apple’s Apple TV 4K subtitle settings guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If a language or caption option is missing
- Check the title’s information page. Look for its listed languages and accessibility features. A show or film may not include your preferred audio language, subtitles, CC/SDH, or audio descriptions.
- Check device support. Some controls and accessibility features are unavailable on certain smart TVs, streaming devices, or consoles.
- Check regional availability. Language and accessibility options can vary by country or region as well as by title.
- Reopen playback controls on your device. The button may be named Subtitles, Audio, or Languages, and the way to reveal it depends on the remote or device.
Apple notes that if subtitle or language options are not visible, they may not be available for that program or film. Changing a setting cannot create a track the title or platform does not provide; Apple’s availability guidance explains the limits.
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