The usage of subtitles and captions in TV shows and movies is ever increasing, both due to the popularity of foreign language content and Hollywood’s inability to produce an audio track where the person speaking is sufficiently intelligible.
With iOS 26.4, Apple is improving the subtitles experience in the native video player on iPhone and iPad, and a similar change is rolling out to Apple TV with tvOS 26.4 …
With these new software updates, it is now possible to change the look of subtitles while in the midst of watching your favorite TV show or movie.
This is because Apple has redesigned the Subtitles menu in the native video player to include new controls for changing their style.
Previously, this menu allowed you to toggle subtitles on or off, and pick the desired language for the captions. Now, it includes a separate section for Style.
The preset Style options include ‘Classic’, ‘Large Text’, ‘Outline Text’, and ‘Transparent Background’. Users can also make their own custom styles, choosing design options like font, size and color.
All of these style settings were previously available by digging through Accessibility Settings. But now, with iOS 26.4, they are readily accessible from the context of what the user is currently doing; increasing awareness of the feature and it is more convenient to change styles on the fly.
This new functionality is available as part of the system’s native video player, so it’s available in apps like Apple TV and when watching video in Safari. Any third-party app that uses the native player will also be able to take advantage of this enhancement automatically.
iOS 26.4 is currently in developer beta. It will likely be released to the public in March or April, although Apple hasn’t yet confirmed a timeline.
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