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Steps checked against official help pages. Last checked: Oct 26, 2026

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How Can My Phone Show Captions When Someone Talks to Me?

What this helps with: It can be hard to follow a conversation at a busy restaurant, a doctor’s front desk, or a family dinner. Your phone can listen and show the words on screen as people talk. This guide shows how on iPhone (Live Captions) and Android (Live Transcribe). Both are free and already made by Apple and Google.

The short answer: On iPhone, open Settings, tap Accessibility, then Live Captions, and turn it on. Then tap the captions box and tap Microphone. On Android, open the Live Transcribe app (on Pixel: Settings, then Accessibility, then Live Transcribe) and hold the phone near the person talking.

Before you start

  • iPhone: Live Captions works on iPhone 11 or newer. It isn’t in every language or country.
  • Android: Live Transcribe comes on Pixel phones and some other Android phones. On other phones, you can get it free from the Google Play Store. Look for Live Transcribe & Notification by Google.
  • Captions aren’t perfect. Apple and Google both say the words can be wrong. Don’t count on them in an emergency or for important details, like medicine doses. Ask the person to write those down.

On iPhone: turn on Live Captions

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then tap Live Captions.
  3. Turn on Live Captions.
  4. Tap Appearance if you want bigger text or a different color.

Set it up ahead of time. It’s easier to do this at home than at the doctor’s office.

On iPhone: see captions of the people around you

  1. With Live Captions turned on, a small captions box shows on your screen.
  2. Tap the captions box, then tap Microphone.
    • What you’ll see: Words show up in the box as people near you talk.
  3. Hold the phone or set it on the table, close to the person talking.
  4. To see the words bigger, tap the button to make the captions box fill the screen.
  5. When you’re done, tap the captions box, then tap Pause Listening.

Good to know:

  • The same captions box also shows words for sound from your phone, like videos and FaceTime calls. Tap iPhone Audio to switch back to that.
  • If the box is in the way, drag it to another spot on the screen. Swipe it left or right to hide it.

On Android: set up Live Transcribe

On a Pixel phone:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then tap Live Transcribe.
  3. Tap Open Live Transcribe.
  4. Tap Allow when it asks to use the microphone.

On other Android phones (like Samsung):

  1. Open Settings and search for Live Transcribe.
  2. If it’s not there, open the Play Store and install Live Transcribe & Notification by Google. It’s free.
  3. Open the app and tap Allow when it asks to use the microphone.

On Android: see captions of the people around you

  1. Open Live Transcribe.
  2. Hold the phone near the person talking, or set it on the table between you.
    • What you’ll see: Their words appear in big text as they speak.
  3. Want to reply by typing? Tap Type at the bottom, type your answer, and show the screen to the other person.
  4. Want to see it again later? Scroll up to see what was said. Google keeps it for up to three days, then deletes it.

Good to know:

  • Live Transcribe can also show sounds, like Doorbell or Laughing.
  • You can set it to vibrate when someone says your name. Tap Settings, then Additional settings, then Vibrate when name is spoken.
  • Live Transcribe needs the internet unless you download your language. To download it, tap Settings, then Additional settings, and pick your Primary language.

Tips for better captions

  • Get close to the person talking. The phone’s microphone works best when it’s near the voice.
  • Ask people to talk one at a time. Captions get mixed up when many people talk at once.
  • Use a quiet spot if you can. Loud music and clatter make the words less accurate.
  • Tell people what you’re doing. A quick “My phone shows me captions, so I can follow along” helps.

If something goes wrong

  • I don’t see Live Captions on my iPhone. Your iPhone may be older than an iPhone 11, or your language may not be supported yet. Make sure your phone is up to date. See how to update your phone.
  • No words show up. Check that the microphone is turned on. On iPhone, tap the captions box and tap Microphone. On Android, make sure you allowed the microphone.
  • The words are wrong. Move closer, ask the person to slow down, or try a quieter spot.
  • It uses a lot of battery. That’s normal for captions. See how to make your phone battery last longer.

Want captions on phone calls and videos too, or to connect hearing aids? See How to Hear Calls Better: Captions and Hearing Aids. Have AirPods Pro 3 or Pro 2? See How Do I Use AirPods Pro 3 as a Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection?

Official sources

Last checked: Oct 26, 2026

This is general tech help, not medical advice. If you’re having trouble hearing, talk with your doctor or a hearing specialist.

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