CaptionAddrGet the app

Guide

How to add captions to a video on iPhone

Updated

To add captions to a video on iPhone, open the video in CaptionAddr, let it transcribe the English speech on your iPhone, fix any words, choose a caption style and export. CaptionAddr saves a new copy of the video with the captions burned into the picture, free for videos up to 2 minutes.

Get CaptionAddr on the App Store Jump to the steps

iPhone’s Photos app can attach a text caption to a video for searching, but it doesn’t put words on screen. For visible captions that play in every app, you need to burn them into a new copy of the video, which is what CaptionAddr does.

Add captions in six steps

  1. Install CaptionAddr. Download CaptionAddr from the App Store on an iPhone or iPad running iOS or iPadOS 17.0 or later. No account is needed to start.
  2. Choose your video. Tap Select Video and pick one clip with Apple’s Photos picker. If the clip is stored in iCloud, let Photos finish downloading it. Your original stays untouched in your library.
  3. Let the captions generate. Captions start as soon as the video opens; keep the app open. The English speech model is built into the app, so the transcription runs on your iPhone instead of a server.
  4. Fix the words. Open Edit Captions and play through the clip. Correct misheard words, delete filler words, and reorder words if needed. Undo and Redo are there if you change your mind.
  5. Style the captions. Pick one of 20 fonts, adjust the size and turn on the tinted background if you want it. Drag the caption to where it reads best on the preview.
  6. Export and share. Tap Export Video and allow Photos access to save the finished movie. Use Share Video to send the captioned copy to the app or person you choose.

Tips for captions people actually read

  • Review the whole clip. Automatic speech recognition is good, not perfect. Names, brand words and slang are the most common mistakes.
  • Use contrast. Captions are white uppercase text with a dark outline; add the tinted background for extra contrast over busy or bright footage.
  • Keep the speaker’s face clear. Captions in the lower middle of the frame are easy to follow without covering the subject.
  • Record clean audio. Less background music and fewer overlapping voices give noticeably better transcripts.
  • Keep your original. Export makes a new, re-encoded file. Keep the source video in case you want to caption it again.

What to know before you start

CaptionAddr is built for English speech. It doesn’t translate or caption other languages, and it doesn’t export SRT or VTT subtitle files; the captions are part of the exported video. Caption timing is automatic, so there are no manual start and end times for each word. Free covers videos up to 2 minutes and CaptionAddr Pro extends that to 30 minutes per video.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add captions to a video on iPhone for free?

Yes. CaptionAddr is free to download and free for videos up to 2 minutes, including transcription, word editing, all caption styles and export. There is no required watermark. CaptionAddr Pro, a monthly or annual subscription, raises the limit to 30 minutes per video.

Does iPhone have a built-in way to add captions to a video?

Not as visible on-screen captions. The Photos app’s caption field adds a searchable description, and accessibility settings control captions for media that already has them. To put words on the video itself, use a captioning app such as CaptionAddr.

Is my video uploaded to add captions?

No. CaptionAddr transcribes on your device with a bundled English speech model and doesn’t send your video, audio or captions to its servers for transcription. Downloading an iCloud original, buying Pro or saving and sharing can still use the internet.

How long does captioning take?

It depends on the clip length and your device. Short clips usually take moments; long videos take more processing time, storage and battery, and older supported devices are slower. Keep the app in the foreground while it works.

Which iPhones are supported?

CaptionAddr needs iOS 17.0 or later and an A12-class chip or newer, for example iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later. It also runs on supported iPads. Check the App Store listing for your exact device.