Live Caption creates automatic captions for audio playing on the phone, including videos, podcasts, voice messages, and on some phones, phone calls. It runs on the device after a small language file is downloaded.
These steps apply to Android 10 and later. Call captioning is available on Pixel and some other recent Android phones.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if a video or audio clip has no subtitles, you need captions in a noisy room, or you want captions even without an internet connection.
Turn On Live Caption from the Volume Panel
- Play audio or video on the phone.
- Press either volume button.
- Tap the Live Caption icon in the volume panel. It looks like a small caption box.
- Move the caption box by dragging it.
- Resize it if your phone allows dragging the corner.
- Tap the same volume-panel icon again to turn Live Caption off.
Enable Live Caption in Settings
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Tap Live Caption.
- Turn it on.
- Enable Show Live Caption in volume controls if you want the shortcut to appear.
Use Live Caption for Calls
During a call, look for a Live Caption button on the call screen. If it is missing, open Accessibility > Live Caption and look for Caption calls or Live Caption during calls. Availability depends on the device.
Caption Settings to Check
Languages
Live Caption support varies by Android version and phone. Check Caption languages to see what your device can caption.
Profanity Filter
If strong language appears as asterisks, open Live Caption settings and turn off Hide profanity.
Offline Use
The first setup may download a speech-recognition file over Wi-Fi. After that, captions can work without internet for supported languages.
Sources
- Google Support: Use Live Caption on Android
- Google Support: Use Live Caption for phone calls
- Android Accessibility Help: Live Caption overview