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How to add subtitles to a video on your phone
Your video plays on mute in the feed, and some viewers cannot hear the audio at all. Without captions, your video is a person moving their mouth. Auto captions give you a first draft in seconds. The last part, checking them, is what makes them good.
A captioning routine, then subtitle apps. Auto captions make mistakes, especially with names, accents and background noise; read every line before you post.
Start with good sound
Record in a quiet place with the microphone close to the speaker. Clear audio gives you far better auto captions; see how to record a lecture or interview.
Let the app draft, then fix it
Generate captions automatically, then go line by line. Fix names, numbers and jargon, and check that each line appears when it is spoken.
Make them easy to read
Keep each caption short, use a plain font with a background or outline and place it where the platform’s buttons and the speaker’s face will not cover it.
Choose how to export
Burn captions into the video for social posts, or export a subtitle file for platforms that support it. To trim the clip first, see how to edit a video on your phone. Compare apps in subtitle apps.
| Step | What you do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Clean audio | quiet room, mic close | better auto captions |
| 2. Auto caption | generate in the app | fast first draft |
| 3. Correct by hand | names, terms, timing | no embarrassing errors |
| 4. Short lines | one or two lines on screen | easy to read |
| 5. Safe position | away from buttons and faces | nothing covers them |
Frequently asked questions
How do I add captions to a video on my phone?
Use a subtitle app to generate captions automatically, then correct each line and export.
Are auto captions accurate?
Often close, but they miss names, accents and jargon. Always read and fix them before posting.
Should I burn in subtitles or use a file?
Burn them in for social posts; use a subtitle file where the platform lets viewers turn captions on and off.