Live captions on iPhone for deaf and hard-of-hearing people

Otofumi's large live captions turn speech into big text on a full screen, as people talk. Afterwards the transcript is saved, so you can read the conversation again or search it.

Start captions

1. Choose the language people will speak. The first time, iOS downloads that language's speech model from Apple, so do this once on Wi-Fi before you need it.
2. Tap Record, then switch to large captions.
3. Place the device between you and the speaker, or hand it to them. The closer the microphone is to the person speaking, the better the text.
4. Read along. New words appear grey while the engine is still deciding, then turn solid.

Where it helps

• A one-to-one conversation at a counter, a desk or a kitchen table.
• A small meeting, with the device in the middle of the table.
• A talk or a class, sitting near the speaker or the loudspeaker.

Know the limits

• Noise and distance lower accuracy. In a loud room, captions can miss or change words.
• One language at a time. Choose the one being spoken.
• No speaker names. This version doesn't label who is speaking.
• Not for critical settings. For medical, legal or other important conversations, ask for a qualified interpreter or captioner.
• Free version: live text stops after the first 30 minutes of each recording, while the recording continues. With Pro, captions run for any length, and buying Pro later transcribes the rest of earlier recordings.

After the conversation

The transcript is saved in your library. Search it, tap a word to replay that moment for someone with some hearing, fix words that came out wrong, or copy the text.