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. Closed captions and some audio tracks may only be available in English.

Audio description (Narration)
Audio description narrates what’s happening on screen. Audio description may only be available in English. To turn this off, choose the Audio and Subtitles icon speech bubble, then choose your preferred language.

Which device are you using?

To change subtitles, closed captions, or audio:

  1. Start watching something and then tap the screen.
  2. Choose the Audio and Subtitles icon speech bubble.
  3. 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 your preferred language).
  4. 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. To learn how, choose your device below:

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.

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.

For info about audio descriptions, go to Accessibility features.

To change subtitles, closed captions, or audio:

  1. Start watching something and then click the screen.
  2. Choose the Audio and Subtitles icon speech bubble.
  3. 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 your preferred language).
  4. Choose X to save your changes.

Change the appearance of subtitles and captions

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

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

For info about audio descriptions, go to Accessibility features.

To change subtitles, closed captions, or audio:

  1. Start watching something and then pause playback.
  2. Choose the Audio and Subtitles icon speech bubble.
  3. 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 your preferred language).
  4. 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 > Caption.

Note These steps will vary depending on your Android TV OS version.

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.

Other TV device

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

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.

For info about audio descriptions, go to Accessibility features.