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Guide

How to burn subtitles into a video on iPhone

Updated

To burn subtitles into a video on iPhone, generate captions in CaptionAddr and export: CaptionAddr renders the words into the video frames and saves a new movie to Photos, so the subtitles show in every app and can’t be lost or switched off. Your original video is left unchanged.

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Burned-in subtitles vs. subtitle files

Burned-in (open, hardcoded)

The words are drawn into the picture. They appear everywhere the video plays, look exactly as you styled them, and survive re-uploads and messaging apps. Viewers can’t turn them off, resize them or have a screen reader read them.

Subtitle file (soft, closed)

An SRT or VTT file travels next to the video. Players and platforms can switch it on and off and let viewers change the size. It only works where the platform supports uploading it, and the look depends on the player.

For short-form social video, where many people watch muted and platforms re-encode uploads, burned-in subtitles are the common choice. CaptionAddr makes burned-in subtitles only; it doesn’t export subtitle files.

Burn subtitles into a video

  1. Select the video. Open CaptionAddr, tap Select Video and choose the clip. CaptionAddr works with a local copy.
  2. Generate the subtitles. Captions start automatically. The English transcription runs on your device.
  3. Edit before you burn. Burned-in text can’t be fixed later without re-exporting, so correct every word in Edit Captions first.
  4. Set the style and position. Choose the font and size, turn on the tinted background if you want it, then drag the subtitles into place.
  5. Export the movie. Tap Export Video and allow Photos access. CaptionAddr renders the subtitles into the frames and saves the new video.
  6. Check the result. Play the saved copy in Photos from start to finish before you share it.

Export checks

  • It’s a new encode. The export is re-encoded, not a lossless copy, at up to 4K and up to 60 frames per second. HDR video is converted to standard dynamic range, so check color as well as sharpness and sound.
  • Orientation and framing. Confirm the video is upright and the subtitles sit where you placed them.
  • Storage. Exporting needs free space for the working copy and the new movie. Long videos need more.
  • Keep the original. Your source video stays in Photos, so you can re-caption it later with a different style.
  • Re-exporting. If saving to Photos fails after rendering, fix the permission or storage issue and tap Export Video again; CaptionAddr can reuse the finished render if nothing changed.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to burn subtitles into a video?

Burning in, also called hardcoding or open captions, draws the subtitle text directly into the video frames. The result is a normal video file with the words always visible.

Can I remove burned-in subtitles later?

Not from the exported copy. That’s why CaptionAddr leaves your original untouched: open the original again to make a different version.

What file does CaptionAddr export?

A new movie file with the captions in the picture, saved to your Photos library. From there you can share it to any app.

Does burning in subtitles lower the quality?

Any re-encode can change quality slightly. CaptionAddr exports a new encoded movie; resolution, color and timing can differ from the source, so review the saved copy.

How long can the video be?

Up to 2 minutes on the free plan and up to 30 minutes with CaptionAddr Pro.