Subtitles, captions, and audio

Some HBO Max shows and movies have subtitles, closed captions, and multiple audio tracks. You can also change the appearance of captions and subtitles.

HBO Max plays shows and movies in the last audio language you selected. If you haven’t chosen a language, HBO Max defaults to your selected app language. If your preferences aren’t available, HBO Max plays the English audio track.

Audio description (Narration)

Audio description narrates what’s happening on screen and is currently available in English only. To turn this off, choose the Audio and Subtitles icon speech bubble

, then choose a language instead of English - Audio Description.

Which device are you using?

To change subtitles, closed captions, or audio:

Start watching something and then tap the screen.
Choose the Audio and Subtitles icon .
Do one of the following:
- Subtitles: Under Subtitles, choose a language or Off.
- Closed captions: Under Subtitles, choose a caption language (e.g., English - CC) or Off.
- Audio: Under Audio, choose a language (to turn off narration, choose a language instead of English - Audio Description).
Choose X to save your changes.

Change the appearance of subtitles and captions

You can change the caption styling (size, color, and opacity) on your phone or tablet's device settings. Here's how:

Amazon Fire tablet

Swipe down from the top of the screen and choose Subtitling Preferences.

Android phone or tablet

Open the Settings app, search for Caption, and then choose Caption style.

These steps may vary depending on your Android OS version. For more info, go to Android caption preferences.

iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Open the Settings app, then choose Accessibility > Subtitles & Captioning > Style. For more info, go to Subtitles and captioning on iPhone.

Note Changes made to caption styling on your phone or tablet don't carry over to other devices.

Subtitles won't turn off

HBO Max follows the subtitle and caption settings set on your device. If you've turned off subtitles or captions in HBO Max but they keep appearing, check your device settings.

App language and audio descriptions

To change the language of text in the HBO Max app, go to Change the app language.
For info about audio descriptions, go to Accessibility features.

To change subtitles, closed captions, or audio:

Start watching something and then click the screen.
Choose the Audio and Subtitles icon .
Do one of the following:
- Subtitles: Under Subtitles, choose a language or Off.
- Closed captions: Under Subtitles, choose a caption language (e.g., English - CC) or Off.
- Audio: Under Audio, choose a language (to turn off narration, choose a language instead of English - Audio Description).
Choose X to save your changes.

Change the appearance of subtitles and captions

You can change the caption styling (size, color, and opacity) for HBOMax.com. Here's how:

At HBOMax.com, choose your profile, then Settings > Subtitle Style. Here you can adjust the caption font, color, size, and opacity.

Note Changes made to caption styling at HBOMax.com don't carry over to other devices.

Subtitles won't turn off

HBO Max follows the subtitle and caption settings set on your device. If you've turned off subtitles or captions in HBO Max but they keep appearing, check your device settings.

App language and audio descriptions

To change the language of text in the HBO Max app, go to Change the app language.
For info about audio descriptions, go to Accessibility features.

To change subtitles, closed captions, or audio:

Start watching something and then pause playback.
Choose the Audio and Subtitles icon .
Do one of the following:
- Subtitles: Under Subtitles, choose a language or Off.
- Closed captions: Under Subtitles, choose a caption language (e.g., English - CC) or Off.
- Audio: Under Audio, choose a language (to turn off narration, choose a language instead of English - Audio Description).
Press the back button to save your changes.

Change the appearance of subtitles and captions

You can change the caption styling (size, color, and opacity), on your TV device. To learn how, choose your device below:

Android TV

On your Android TV, go to Settings > Device Preferences > Accessibility > Captions.

Note These steps will vary depending on your Android TV OS version. For more info, go to Make Android TV more accessible.

Amazon Fire TV

On your Amazon Fire TV, go to Settings > Accessibility > Closed Caption > Text.

Fire TV Basic Edition: To change caption styling, go to your Subtitle Settings on the Prime Video website.

Apple TV

On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles & Captioning > Style. For more info, go to Subtitles and captioning on Apple TV.

Roku

Press the Home button on your Roku remote and then go to Settings > Accessibility > Caption style.

Other TV device

In HBO Max, choose the Settings icon cog (lower left) and then Subtitle Style.

Note Changes made to caption styling on your TV don't carry over to other devices.

Subtitles won't turn off

HBO Max follows the subtitle and caption settings set on your device. If you've turned off subtitles or captions in HBO Max but they keep appearing, check your device settings.

App language and audio descriptions

To change the language of text in the HBO Max app, go to Change the app language.
For info about audio descriptions, go to Accessibility features.

Apple Vision Pro: Go to HBO Max on Apple Vision Pro