Skip to main content
    Step 1 of 5
    Tips & Tricks
    Beginner
    2 min read 5 stepsApril 17, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Turn On Live Captions on Your Phone

    Live Captions add real-time subtitles to any video, call, or podcast — useful for hard-of-hearing users or noisy environments.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Tips & Tricks
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    2 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    Live Captions
    accessibility
    captions
    hearing
    subtitles

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.On iPhone, open Accessibility settings
    2. 2.On Android, open Sound settings
    3. 3.Try it with a video
    4. 4.Move or resize the caption box
    5. 5.Turn captions off when not needed
    1

    On iPhone, open Accessibility settings

    ~15s
    Open Settings, tap Accessibility, then scroll down to Live Captions and tap it. Flip the switch on. Your phone may download a language pack — this can take a few minutes.
    2

    On Android, open Sound settings

    ~15s
    Open Settings, tap Sound or Sound & Vibration, then Live Caption. Flip the switch on. On some phones the setting is under Accessibility instead.
    3

    Try it with a video

    ~15s
    Open YouTube and play any video. A black caption box should appear near the bottom of the screen, showing the words as they are spoken.
    4

    Move or resize the caption box

    ~15s
    Drag the caption box with your finger to move it. On Android, pinch with two fingers to make it bigger or smaller. On iPhone, tap it to show a resize handle.
    5

    Turn captions off when not needed

    ~15s
    Live Captions use battery, so turn them off when you do not need them. Follow the same steps above and flip the switch off.

    You Did It!

    You've finished reading: How to Turn On Live Captions on Your Phone

    How well did this guide stick with you?

    Need more help? Book a TekSure tech

    Live Captions turn spoken words into text on your screen in real time — no internet needed. It works on any audio: YouTube videos, FaceTime calls, podcasts, or even a video someone sends you.

    Both iPhone (iOS 17 and newer) and Android (version 10 and newer) support Live Captions. On iPhone it is called Live Captions. On Android it is called Live Caption (no "s").

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    Live Captions
    accessibility
    captions
    hearing
    subtitles

    Official Resources

    How-To GeekAARP Technology TipsTom's Guide — Tips

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    How to Pair Hearing Aids with iPhone

    Next →

    How to Use Voice Control on Mac

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Learn more from official sources

    Related Guides

    iPhone: Battery Saving Tips

    Make your iPhone battery last longer with these proven tips and settings.

    1 min read

    iPhone: Safari Browser Tips

    Get more out of Safari on iPhone with these hidden features and shortcuts.

    1 min read

    iPhone: iMessage and Texting Tips

    Hidden iMessage features that make texting more fun and productive.

    1 min read