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Updated 2026-06-28

How to Add Captions to a TikTok on iPhone

By the iPhone Captions editorial team · Updated 2026-06-28

TikTok plays muted for a lot of viewers, so on-screen captions lift watch time. You have two routes on iPhone: TikTok's own Captions feature for speed, or a captioning app first when you want your own look and one file for every platform.

How do I add captions to a TikTok video?

Fastest: in the TikTok editor after you add your clip, tap Captions — TikTok auto-transcribes the audio and lets you edit the text. For custom fonts, word-by-word animation, offline use, or a clean file you can also post to Reels and Shorts, caption in an app like Subly first, then upload.

Option 1 — TikTok's built-in Captions

  1. Add your clip. Record or upload, then go to the post/edit screen.
  2. Tap Captions. Find it in the right-hand toolbar; TikTok transcribes the audio automatically.
  3. Fix the text. Correct any wrong words and adjust the timing.
  4. Position them. Drag the captions clear of the right-side icons and the bottom caption bar.

Free and fast, but the style options are limited, the captions only exist inside TikTok, and you can't reuse the captioned video elsewhere.

Option 2 — caption in an app first

Captioning before upload gives you a custom look (fonts, colors, word-by-word highlight), one burned-in file you can post to TikTok, Reels and Shorts, and it works offline. Burn the captions in, then upload to TikTok like any normal video.

Keep text in the middle third of the frame — TikTok's icons (right) and the caption/handle (bottom) cover the edges.

Frequently asked questions

Does TikTok caption videos automatically?
Yes. The Captions tool in the editor auto-transcribes your audio; you then fix any errors. It's free but lightly styled and only works inside TikTok.
Why do my captions get hidden on TikTok?
They're likely under the UI. Keep captions in the middle of the frame, away from the right-side icons and the bottom text — those areas are covered in the feed.
Can I reuse my TikTok captions on Reels?
Not the TikTok-made ones — they stay in TikTok. To cross-post, caption in an app and burn the text in, then upload the same file everywhere.

Related guides

Captions for YouTube ShortsAdd captions to a YouTube Short on iPhone — use the Shorts eCaptions for Instagram ReelsAdd captions to an Instagram Reel on iPhone — use Instagram'Karaoke / word-by-word captionsAdd the karaoke-style word-by-word captions you see on Reels

Written for iPhone users. App features and iOS steps can change between versions — check the latest before you rely on them. How we test & our sources →