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Watch with subtitles (closed captions)

  • ~ minute read

How do I watch with subtitles?

We recognize the importance of closed captions and appreciate your interest in this feature. We currently offer subtitles for most titles on VidAngel and are continually adding them to more movies and TV shows.

Please note: We do not yet offer official closed captions, which include additional audio cues and descriptions beyond dialogue. We're evaluating ways to bring this accessibility feature to VidAngel in the future.

 

Filters and subtitles

Unlike our main filters, we don't have humans creating the filters for subtitles (view Who creates the filters for VidAngel? to learn more), so filter accuracy is limited. To be clear, your audio filters will still mute as expected, but those edits may not show in the subtitles. If that's a concern, we recommend watching without subtitles—but if that's not realistic for you, know that we're working to improve accuracy over time.

 

cc_3.png

 

How to turn on & customize subtitles

Once enabled, subtitles will stay active on that profile and device until you turn them off. The exception is Roku, where subtitles need to be turned on for the entire Roku experience.

The process for enabling subtitles and customizing the display varies by device. Here's how:

WEBSITE

To turn subtitles on:

  1. Click the Subtitles icon (next to the gear) in the bottom-right corner of the movie player.

    CC_website_icon.png | CONTENT: Subtitles icon (speech bubble with lines), highlighted in the video player's bottom toolbar, located between the volume and settings icons.
     

  2. Select English. 

    NOTE: If you have questions about watching in a different language or using foreign subtitles go HERE.


    CC_website.png | CONTENT: Video player with numbered callouts: 1) the Subtitles icon in the bottom toolbar, 2) the Subtitles menu that appears above it, showing 'Off' and 'English' options, with English selected.
     

If you'd like to customize the look of the subtitles, click the Settings icon (the gear), then click Subtitle Style.

CC_website_settings1.png | CONTENT: Video player with numbered callouts: 1) the Settings (gear) icon in the bottom toolbar, 2) the Settings menu that appears above it, showing Playback Quality options and a Subtitles section with 'Subtitle Style' and a 'Customize' link.
 
 From here, you can adjust:

  • Font—choose from styles like Default, Serif, Sans Serif, Casual, and more
  • Text color, opacity, and size
  • Background color and opacity
  • Window color
  • Edge style (None, Raised, Depressed, or Uniform) and drop shadow
Subtitle_Style_Display.png | CONTENT: Subtitle Style settings panel with a live preview reading 'The quick brown fox' in red text. Options shown include Font (Monospaced Serif selected), Text Color (red selected), Text Opacity (100% selected), Text Size (L selected), and the start of Background color options.

A live preview ("The quick brown fox") shows your changes as you make them, so you can find the combo that works best for you!

PHONE or TABLET

  1. Tap the screen to bring up the player controls.
  2. Tap the Subtitle icon in the top right corner. It turns blue when subtitles are turned on.

    mobile_CC_closed_captions.png | CONTENT: Mobile video player showing 'Freedom Day, Watching with Apple TV' with an arrow pointing to the Subtitles icon, highlighted in the top-right corner next to the Filters button.
Subtitles_Icon_ON_and_OFF.png | CONTENT: Side-by-side comparison of the Subtitles icon in its two states: 'ON' shown as a solid blue speech bubble icon, 'OFF' shown as an outlined white speech bubble icon.
WARNING: Subtitles will not work when casting from the mobile app to a Samsung TV or when using AirPlay. They should work when Chromecasting. 

If you're Chromecasting from your mobile, you'll see the subtitle option in the bottom controls menu:

mobile_cast_subtitles cc.jpg

APPLE TV and FIRE TV and GOOGLE TV and ANDROID TV 

  1. Click on the remote to access the Movie Player controls.
  2. Select the Subtitle icon button in the top-right corner.
    When it's blue, this means the subtitles are turned on.

Android tv_subtitles cc icon.png

Android tv_subtitles cc icons_off and on.png

 

ROKU

Subtitles for Roku must be enabled for the entire Roku experience, not just in the VidAngel app.

  1. Start playing your show.
  2. Press the * (star) button on your remote.
  3. If subtitles are available, you will see a Caption Track option. Highlight "Captions mode".
  4. Click the "OK" button on the remote to change to "On always".
  5. Select "Close".

 

Another option is to turn on the subtitles in Settings: 

  1. Press Home on Roku remote.
  2. Select “Settings”.
  3. Select “Accessibility”
    • If not found, select “Captions”.
  4. Select “Captions mode”.
  5. Select “On always”.

roku_subtitles.jpg

 

 

Adjusting subtitle style

Only the website lets you customize subtitle style right in the VidAngel player. Every other device instead uses whatever style you've already set at that device's system level—so once it's set there, it carries over automatically, no need to touch it again in VidAngel. 

GOOGLE TV
From the Google TV home screen: Quick Settings > All Settings > Accessibility > Captions. Adjust text size and caption style — choose from white on black, black on white, yellow on black, yellow on blue, or a fully custom style.
ROKU
From the Roku home screen: Settings > Accessibility > Captions style. Adjust text style, size, color, opacity, and more.
APPLE TV
From the Apple TV home screen: Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles and Captioning (under Hearing) > Style. Adjust background, size, and more.
FIRE TV
From the Fire TV home screen: select the Settings (gear) icon > Accessibility > Subtitle (or Closed Caption) to turn it on and open the customization menu, then Text to adjust font size, text color, opacity, font style, and edge style.

 

Subtitles are not showing

As mentioned above, subtitles will not work when casting to a Samsung TV or when using AirPlay.

If you're not watching through one of those casting methods, and you don't see the subtitle option, it is likely just a title we haven't gotten to yet. We're actively going through our catalog to do this, but if it would be spectacular for you to watch that title with subtitles, please let us know and we'll prioritize it!

You can reach out to Support with your request HERE. 

 

Are subtitles available?

As mentioned above, not all titles have subtitles available yet. So, is there a way to see if there are subtitles without having to start the show? Yes! With limitations. 

Currently, you can see on the website, mobile app, and Roku if a title has subtitles available. If subtitles are available, there will be a subtitle icon on the movie's information page. If subtitles are not available, there will be no icon. We hope to expand this to all devices in the near future!
 

Subtitles_available.png | CONTENT: The Adam Project movie info page with an arrow pointing to the Subtitles icon next to the rating and runtime, labeled 'Subtitles available.'
No_subtitles_available.png | CONTENT: Oppenheimer movie info page with an arrow pointing to the empty space next to the rating and runtime where a subtitles icon would appear, labeled 'No subtitles available.

 

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