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Simple Tricks: How to Easily Turn Off Subtitles on Apple TV

Explore simple ways to disable subtitles on your Apple TV with our comprehensive guide. From navigating settings, using the Control Center, to employing your iPhone's remote app, discover the method that fits your viewing needs best. Take control of your viewing experience today!

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Published Jan 29, 2024

Ever found yourself struggling to figure out how to turn off subtitles on your Apple TV? You're not alone. It's a common issue that many Apple TV users face, especially if you're new to the platform.

In this guide, we're going to walk you through the process. It's simpler than you might think, and once you've got the hang of it, you'll be able to switch your subtitles on and off with ease. So sit back, grab your Apple TV remote, and let's get started.

Why are subtitles appearing on my Apple TV?

At times, you might find that subtitles are popping up on your screen while you're trying to enjoy your favorite show. This could be initially confusing. Especially, if you don't remember turning them on. Well, remember, it's nothing to worry about.

Firstly, they might be a part of the setting from the show or movie being streamed. Most Apple TV apps like Hulu, Netflix, or Amazon Prime Video have independent subtitle settings. Subtitles are often activated per app rather than as a global setting. So if you've had subtitles on for one app, it does not mean they'll be on for all the other apps as well.

Secondly, the Apple TV itself has a global subtitle setting. This may have been turned on accidentally or during a previous viewing. A surge in updates can also change settings automatically, which might have enabled the subtitles.

But don't get swamped by all this information. It's definitely easier to handle than it seems. With a few swift maneuvers on your Apple TV remote, you can personalize and control subtitle settings. Whether it is to turn them off completely or modify them to better suit your viewing preferences. Markdown table for these points is as follows:

No. Possible Reasons Solution
1. Part of the setting of the show/movie being streamed Control settings within the respective app (like Netflix, Hulu)
2. Global Subtitle Setting of Apple TV itself got turned on accidentally Access Apple TV main settings
3. Surge in updates changed settings automatically Routinely check for updates and manually change settings

How to turn off subtitles on Apple TV

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Lost in a sea of words while you're trying to enjoy your favorite show? Don't be. Turning off subtitles on your Apple TV is as simple as A, B, C.

Easy Navigate Way to Manage Subtitles

To start with, grab your Siri Remote. It's the primary tool to manage subtitles on your Apple TV. From the Apple TV Home screen, swipe down the Touch surface on your Siri Remote. This action activates an onscreen menu that can alter media selections and settings.

Select the "Subtitles" option in the onscreen menu. You can then view a list of all subtitle languages available for your selected show or movie. If subtitles are turned on, the activated language will be underscored. To turn off subtitles, choose "Off" in the list of subtitle languages.

Take note though, this method temporarily turns off subtitles only for your current session. This means the subtitles will come back on once you start another show or movie.

A Permanent Fix to Silence Subtitles

If you'd like to permanently turn off subtitles to make your viewing experience hassle-free, you'll have to dig a bit deeper into your Apple TV's settings.

Here’s what you need to do. From your Apple TV's Home screen, navigate to "Settings". Then, choose "General". From there, go to "Accessibility" and you’ll find the "Subtitle and Captioning" option.

Once you're in the Subtitle and Captioning menu, you'll see an option for Closed Captions + SDH. Toggle this option off and voila, you've permanently silenced those intrusive subtitles.

There you have it. A simple guide for a subtitles-free viewing experience on your Apple TV. It's just a few clicks away. Whether you seek a temporary reprieve or a permanent solution, you now know how to make that happen. And who knows, you might even stumble upon other useful settings in your journey down the Apple TV's options menu.

Remember, it's your viewing experience. You're in control.

Method 1: Using the Apple TV settings

Want a more permanent solution for turning off subtitles? Your Apple TV settings offer a way to do just that.

To start off, you'll need to tap the "settings" icon. It's identified by a gear pattern and can usually be found on the main screen. Once you're there, locate and click on the "General" option. You're on the right path.

Upon clicking the "General" option, you're led to a plethora of settings. But don't fret, you're not off-track. A further click on the "Accessibility" option takes you closer to your goal.

In the Accessibility settings, you'll stumble upon "Subtitle and Captioning". Selecting this option opens a rather straightforward list, where you'd find the "Closed Captions + SDH" feature. This feature is the key to your subtitle concern.

When "Closed Captions + SDH" is toggled on, subtitles consistently display across every show or film you watch. That's quite bothersome if you're not in the mood for textual interruptions while your favorite show plays.

To finally achieve your subtitle-free viewing bliss, use your Apple TV remote to switch off the "Closed Captions + SDH". Now, rest easy knowing subtitles won't pop up on your screen unless you toggle the option back on. Your favorite shows and movies can now flow seamlessly, unmarred by unwelcome text at the bottom of the screen.

So, there you have it. You've learned to master the Apple TV settings to control subtitles appearance. As you can see, it's not that convoluted, even if it may seem so at first glance. This is just one of the many ways your Apple TV lets you enhance and personalize your viewing experience.

Method 2: Using the Control Center

Another method for disabling subtitles on your Apple TV involves utilizing the Control Center. The beauty of this approach lies in its versatility—it allows you to toggle between subtitle settings without navigating away from your current program or movie. Here's a simple step-by-step guide:

  1. Swipe down on your Apple TV Remote or your connected device's screen to open the Control Center.
  2. Navigate to the "Subtitles" panel.
  3. Select the "Off" option.

Bam! Your subtitles will now be disabled for your current viewing session.

But wait—there's a catch. Please note that, this method only turns off subtitles for whatever you're watching at the moment. The next time you play a different video, subtitles may automatically be enabled once more. To avoid this, consider taking a quick trip to the main settings of your Apple TV—just as we've recommended before—and turning off the "Closed Captions + SDH" option for a more permanent solution.

Using the Control Center method may feel more natural to some, as it's swift and interrupts your viewing less. On the other hand, changing settings from the main menu ensures a broad and lasting change.

Hence, depending on your viewing habits and preferences, you can opt for either option. Your viewing experience is personal, and these tools are designed to enhance and customize it to suit your needs. So go ahead—experiment and choose the method that works best for you. After all, your comfort is what matters most when settling down for a good movie session.

Method 3: Using the remote app on your iPhone

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If you're an iPhone user and struggle with Apple TV's own remote, don't worry. This section unveils a third method, arguably the easiest yet — using the famous remote app on your iPhone. Featuring an intuitive interface, responsiveness and seamless iOS integration, the remote app can be your best bet when it's about turning off Apple TV subtitles.

Let's break down the steps so you know the drill. Every iPhone comes pre-packed with the Apple TV Remote App. Go ahead and locate it on your phone, then:

  1. Launch the Remote app on your iPhone and connect it to your Apple TV.
  2. This time, after connecting, you'll see your current program on the smaller iPhone screen. Feel free to view your program or movie on the iPhone screen itself, it's handy!
  3. On your iPhone screen, swipe down. You'll then notice settings appearing from the top.
  4. Choose 'Audio options' from the menu then navigate to 'Subtitles and Captions'. It's here that you can switch off the subtitles. Select 'Off' and, presto, you've no more on-screen text to bug you!

Done! Now, keep enjoying your favorite content on Apple TV, totally subtitle-free.

To reiterate, this method is only temporary and it's ideal when you want to disable subtitles for just one viewing session without permanently changing the settings. Given its simplicity this has become a preferred method for many iPhone users.

So go ahead and give it a shot. Even if you somehow mess up, you can always revert back using the first two methods outlined earlier in this article. Remember:

  • Switching on subtitles can enhance your viewing experience.
  • However, if you prefer a clean, text-free screen, these steps will ensure you get just that!

Conclusion

So, you've learned how to turn off subtitles on your Apple TV. Whether you're using the traditional settings route, the Control Center, or your iPhone's remote app, it's clear that Apple offers multiple ways to customize your viewing experience. Remember, the method you choose depends on your needs - whether it's for a single viewing session or a permanent change. The power of choice is in your hands. Now, you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies on Apple TV without any subtitle distractions. Happy viewing!

Q1: How can I disable subtitles on Apple TV?

You can navigate to "Subtitle and Captioning" in the Apple TV settings and switch off the "Closed Captions + SDH" option.

Q2: How can I toggle between subtitle settings without leaving the current program?

You can use the Control Center on your Apple TV to switch between subtitle settings without having to navigate away from your current program or movie.

Q3: How can I temporarily disable subtitles for a specific viewing session?

For temporary deactivation of subtitles, you can use the remote app available on your iPhone. Just remember this method is temporary and will only apply to the current viewing session.

Q4: Which method of disabling subtitles should I use?

All methods are effective. It's about personal preference. Each method has its place and can be used as per your convenience, so feel free to choose the one that suits you best.

This article was originally published on 29 Jan 2024 but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.
Kyle Crisp
Kyle has been using Apple products for over 25 years. He loves helping people learn how to use their Apple devices.
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