How to Turn On Live Captions for Calls and Videos on Your Phone
Live Captions can put spoken words on your screen during videos, podcasts, and some calls. Here is how to turn the feature on and make the text easier to read on iPhone and Android.
If voices in a video or phone call are difficult to catch, your phone may be able to place the spoken words on the screen as they are said. The feature is called Live Captions on both iPhone and many Android phones.
Live Captions can help when someone speaks quickly, the room is noisy, or you simply understand better when you can read along. You do not need a hearing diagnosis to use it, and you can turn it off whenever you like.
The exact menus vary by phone model and software version. If you do not see a setting named Live Captions, use the search box at the top of Settings and type Live Captions.
Before you begin
- Update your phone if an update is waiting.
- Connect to Wi-Fi. Some Android phones download a language file the first time.
- Play a familiar video or podcast so you can test the captions.
- Remember that automatic captions can make mistakes. Do not rely on them for emergency instructions, medical decisions, legal advice, or exact financial information.
Turn on Live Captions on an iPhone
Apple says system-wide Live Captions are available on iPhone 11 and later, but availability can depend on your language and region.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Tap Live Captions.
- Turn on Live Captions.
A small caption window should appear. Start a video, podcast, or other spoken audio. Tap the caption window and choose iPhone Audio if needed. To caption a nearby in-person conversation instead, tap the window and choose Microphone.
You can move the caption window so it does not cover an important button. Under Settings > Accessibility > Live Captions > Appearance, you can also adjust the text size and colors.
Use captions during a FaceTime call
During a FaceTime video call, tap the screen to show the controls. Tap the More button, which usually looks like three dots, and then tap Live Captions. The words should appear near the top of the screen, along with an indication of who is speaking. Use the same menu to stop the captions.
Newer iPhones may also show options for keeping call captions briefly after a call. Review that setting carefully because a transcript can contain private information. Depending on the option you choose, other people on the call may hear an announcement that the call is being transcribed.
Turn on Live Caption on an Android phone
Live Caption is available on Google Pixel phones and selected phones from other manufacturers. The fastest method on many Android phones is through the volume controls:
- Press either volume button.
- When the volume panel appears, tap More if necessary.
- Tap the Live Caption icon. It often looks like a small box containing lines of text.
If that icon is missing, open Settings, tap Accessibility, and look for Live Caption. On some phones, searching Settings is easier than following a fixed menu path.
Start a video or podcast to test it. Touch and hold the caption box to move it. Double-tap it to show more or fewer lines. To turn the feature off, use the Live Caption button again or drag the caption box toward the bottom of the screen, depending on your phone.
Use captions during calls on Android
Some Pixel and selected Android phones can caption phone calls and video calls. Open Settings > Accessibility > Live Caption and look for a call-captioning option. During a call, the other person may hear an announcement that captions are on.
On supported Pixel phones, you may also be able to type a response during a call and have the phone read it aloud. Look for Type responses during calls in the Live Caption settings. This option is not available on every phone, carrier, or calling app.
Make the captions easier to read
- Increase the size: Look for Appearance, Caption preferences, or Caption size and style in Accessibility settings.
- Improve contrast: Try white text on a dark background or another high-contrast combination.
- Move the box: Drag it away from faces, buttons, or subtitles already included with a video.
- Reduce background noise: Automatic captions work best with clear speech.
- Watch the battery: Live captions use extra power and may turn off in battery-saver mode.
What about privacy?
Google says Android Live Caption processes audio on the device and does not store it or send it to Google. Apple provides choices for how long some call captions are kept. Even so, treat any saved or copied transcript like a private message. Delete it when you no longer need it, especially if the conversation includes health, banking, or account information.
Ask for help if...
Ask a trusted family member, your phone maker, or an accessibility support service for help if Live Captions does not appear, the language you need is unavailable, or call captions do not work with your carrier. A missing option does not necessarily mean you are doing anything wrong; the feature may not be supported by that phone, region, language, or app.
A simple recap
On iPhone, start with Settings > Accessibility > Live Captions. On Android, press a volume button and look for the Live Caption icon, or search for Live Caption in Settings. Test the feature with familiar audio, adjust the text so it is comfortable to read, and remember that automated words are helpful but not always exact.
Sources: Apple Support: Get live captions of spoken audio on iPhone; Apple Support: Use Live Captions in FaceTime on iPhone; Google Accessibility Help: Live Caption.