How to enable Hulu closed captions and format them for better visibility

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• You can enable Hulu’s closed caption feature for assistance with dialog regardless of the device you’re using to watch Hulu.
• On most devices, you can enable closed captions and choose the language you want to see using the Settings icon, which is shaped like a gear.
• You can also customize the font size, style, and color on most devices.
• On your phone, you set that from the device’s accessibility settings, while the process varies for the web and smart TVs.
• This story is a part of Business Insider’s Guide to Hulu Tips and Tricks.

You can enable closed captions within Hulu for most shows and movies, but adjusting them varies depending on the show you’ve chosen.

While English and Spanish are available for many programs, not every show has Spanish, for example. The device you are watching a title on can also impact the captions you have available.

And unlike some other streaming apps, you’ll have to enable captions on each device you’re streaming Hulu shows and movies on. Enabling captions on one device will not allow them on your phone, computer, or smart TV.

Here’s how to enable and format captions on Hulu.

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How to use Hulu closed captions in a web browser

1. When you are watching a show on Hulu in a web browser, click the Settings icon, which looks like a gear.

2. Click "Subtitles."

3. Select the language you want to see.

4. To turn off subtitles, choose "Off" in the same menu.

5. To customize your captions, first, click the "Settings" link in the Subtitles menu.

6. Adjust the caption font, color, and other style options to your preferences.

7. Click "Done" to save your changes.

How to use Hulu closed captions in the iOS app

1. While watching a show on your phone or tablet, tap the Settings icon, which looks like a gear.

2. In the Settings dropdown, swipe the Subtitles button to the right to turn it on.

3. Then choose the language you want to see.

How to use Hulu closed captions in the Android app

1. While watching a show on your phone or tablet, tap the Settings icon, which looks like a gear.

2. In the Settings dropdown, swipe the Subtitles button to the right to turn it on.

3. Choose the language you want to see.

4. To customize your captions, tap the Account icon at the bottom of the screen.

5. Select "Settings."

6. Tap "Subtitles & Captions" and wait for the Hulu app to open your phone’s Settings to the Google subtitles page.

7. On the Google subtitles menu, adjust your closed caption settings. Changes you make here will be applied to the closed captions in the Hulu app.

How to use Hulu closed captions on your smart TV

1. While watching a show, use the remote control to open the control bar (usually, you need to press the "up" button on the remote).

2. Select the Settings menu.

3. In the Captions & Subtitles section, choose "On" or "Off."

4. Select the language you want.

5. To customize your captions, go to the Hulu app’s Home screen.

6. Use the remote control to select the Account icon.

7. Pick "Settings."

8. Now choose "Subtitles & Captions."

9. Use the Style page to adjust the font style and size and other aspects of the text.

10. When you’re done, use the remote control to go back to the previous screen to save your settings.

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

How to turn on subtitles on Quibi and watch shows in your chosen language

How to turn on subtitles on YouTube on your phone or computer, and set them to stay on automatically

How to turn Closed Captions on and off on your Roku player, either through its menu or with a button press

How to turn off subtitles on your Apple TV or edit their appearance

How to turn off subtitles on Netflix, however or wherever you’re watching it

Dave Johnson
Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he’s also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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Tech How To Hulu Closed Captions

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