How to Add Subtitles on TikTok in 2026

Adding subtitles, also called captions, is a game-changer for TikTok videos in 2025. Whether you’re wondering how to add subtitles on TikTok, how to change TikTok captions, or how to turn on captions while watching videos, this guide covers everything you need to know.

We’ll explore TikTok’s auto-captions, the steps to add subtitles manually, and tools like CapCut for basic editing. Finally, I’ll introduce ZapCap, the ultimate tool for creating professional and multilingual subtitles.

Table of Contents

• Why Subtitles Are Essential on TikTok
• How to Add Subtitles on TikTok
  • 1. TikTok Auto Captions
    • Why Use TikTok Auto Captions?
    • Limitations of TikTok Auto Captions:
  • 2. Adding Subtitles Manually on TikTok
    • Steps to Add Manual Subtitles:
  • 3. Using CapCut for Subtitles
    • How to Add Subtitles with CapCut:
    • Limitations of CapCut:
• Why ZapCap Is the Best Solution
  • Key Features of ZapCap
• How to Use ZapCap for TikTok Subtitles
• Common Issues with TikTok Subtitles
  • 1. TikTok Auto Captions Not Showing Up
  • 2. Can You Edit TikTok Captions After Posting?
• Final Thoughts
• FAQ

Why Subtitles Are Essential on TikTok

Subtitles, or captions, are more than just text—they’re vital for accessibility, engagement, and connecting with a global audience.

1. Accessibility: Subtitles make TikTok videos inclusive for viewers with hearing impairments.
2. Sound-Off Engagement: A significant portion of TikTok users watch videos with the sound off, relying entirely on subtitles to stay engaged.
3. Global Reach: Adding translated subtitles or closed captions (CC) ensures your content reaches audiences who speak other languages.
4. Improved Discoverability: TikTok captions boost SEO by helping your videos rank for keywords, making them more searchable.

How to Add Subtitles on TikTok

Adding captions or subtitles on TikTok is straightforward if you use the platform’s in-built tools. Let’s break it down.

1. TikTok Auto Captions

TikTok offers a built-in auto captions feature, which automatically generates subtitles for your videos. Here’s how to use it:

1. Record or Upload Your Video: Once your video is ready, go to the editing screen.
2. Enable Auto Captions: Tap on Captions and toggle Auto Captions to let TikTok transcribe the audio.
3. Review and Edit: TikTok allows you to fix errors in the captions before posting.

Why Use TikTok Auto Captions?

• It’s fast, free, and easy to enable.
• Auto captions help make your videos accessible and engaging for sound-off viewers.

Limitations of TikTok Auto Captions:

• Accuracy: If your video has background noise, slang, or fast-paced speech, the transcriptions may not be accurate.
• Customization: TikTok doesn’t allow you to change fonts, colors, or sizes, limiting the styling of your captions.
• No Multilingual Subtitles: You can’t use TikTok to create translated subtitles automatically.

If you need more control over your captions, you might want to consider manual subtitles or external tools like CapCut.

2. Adding Subtitles Manually on TikTok

For custom captions, TikTok allows you to add text manually. This is ideal if you want full control over your captions.

Steps to Add Manual Subtitles:

1. Tap Text on the editing screen after uploading your video.
2. Type out your captions for each segment of your video.
3. Adjust the font, size, and color to make the captions visually appealing.
4. Position the text on your video so it doesn’t block important visuals.

Manual subtitles are great for shorter videos, but they can be time-consuming for longer content.

3. Using CapCut for Subtitles

If you’re looking for slightly more advanced features, CapCut, TikTok’s sister app, provides basic auto-captioning and editing tools.

How to Add Subtitles with CapCut:

1. Open CapCut and import your TikTok video.
2. Use the Auto Captions feature to generate subtitles automatically.
3. Edit the subtitles to fix inaccuracies, and adjust the font, color, and placement.
4. Export the video and upload it to TikTok.

Limitations of CapCut:

• Accuracy Issues: While CapCut is an improvement over TikTok, its transcription accuracy can still fall short for videos with fast-paced dialogue or accents.
• Limited Templates: The styling options for captions are basic and don’t allow for much customization.
• No Multilingual Support: CapCut doesn’t support translations for global audiences.

If you’re serious about captions—especially if you need subtitles in multiple languages—CapCut’s limitations might be frustrating. That’s where ZapCap excels.

Why ZapCap Is the Best Solution

For creators looking to elevate their TikTok videos with professional, accurate, and multilingual subtitles, ZapCap is the ultimate tool.

Key Features of ZapCap

1. Highly Accurate Transcriptions: ZapCap’s AI ensures precise subtitles, even for complex audio with slang or accents.
2. Customizable Subtitles: You can fully adjust fonts, sizes, colors, and even add animations for a polished, professional look.
3. Multilingual Translation: Easily translate your captions into dozens of languages, making your TikTok videos accessible to global audiences.
4. Exportable Files: Generate SRT or VTT files for easy use across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and more.
5. Cross-Platform Integration: ZapCap isn’t just for TikTok—it works seamlessly across multiple platforms.

How to Use ZapCap for TikTok Subtitles

Here’s how to create professional subtitles for TikTok using ZapCap:

1. Upload Your Video: Log in to ZapCap and upload your TikTok video.
2. Generate Subtitles: ZapCap’s AI will transcribe your video’s audio with unmatched accuracy.
3. Translate Subtitles: Choose your target languages, and ZapCap will generate high-quality translations instantly.
4. Customize Subtitles: Adjust the font, color, style, and placement to suit your branding.
5. Download Files: Export your subtitles as SRT or VTT files or embed them directly into your video.

ZapCap is also perfect for adding subtitles using a phone, making it a versatile tool for creators who work across platforms.

Common Issues with TikTok Subtitles

1. TikTok Auto Captions Not Showing Up

If TikTok’s auto captions don’t appear:

• Check Your Audio: Ensure your video’s audio is clear and free of background noise.
• Restart the App: Sometimes app glitches prevent captions from generating. Restart TikTok and try again.
• Update TikTok: Ensure you’re using the latest version of the app.

2. Can You Edit TikTok Captions After Posting?

Unfortunately, TikTok doesn’t allow direct edits to captions on published videos. To fix errors, you’ll need to:

1. Download the video.
2. Edit the captions using ZapCap or another tool.
3. Re-upload the video with updated captions.

Final Thoughts

Adding captions to TikTok videos is no longer optional—it’s essential for creators who want to stay competitive. While TikTok’s built-in captions and CapCut offer helpful starting points, they fall short in accuracy, customization, and multilingual capabilities.

ZapCap provides the ultimate solution for creating professional, customizable, and translated subtitles, helping you connect with a global audience and stand out on TikTok.

FAQ

How do I turn on captions when watching TikTok videos?

TikTok doesn’t allow viewers to toggle captions on or off. Captions are either:
– Auto-generated by TikTok and displayed automatically.
– Manually added by the creator during the editing process.

Can I edit TikTok captions after posting a video?

No, TikTok doesn’t allow you to edit captions directly after posting. To fix errors:
– Download your video.
– Use an external tool like ZapCap to edit or recreate your captions.
– Re-upload the video with the corrected captions.

Why aren’t TikTok auto captions showing up?

Auto captions might not appear if:
– The audio is unclear or has too much background noise.
– TikTok doesn’t support the language of your audio.
– There’s a temporary glitch—try restarting or updating the app.

How can ZapCap help with TikTok subtitles?

ZapCap simplifies subtitle creation by offering:
– Accurate transcriptions for your videos.
– Multilingual translations to reach a global audience.
– Fully customizable subtitle styles to match your brand.
– Exportable files like SRT or VTT for use on TikTok and other platforms.