Why Xiaomi has subtitles on its screen and how to remove them forever
Subtitles on Xiaomi devices can appear unexpectedly, whether while watching movies, streaming on YouTube or even using system applications, most often due to the random activation of the feature in the accessibility settings, automatic speech recognition in the MIUI firmware, or a failure in the media player. For example, on Mi TVs P1 or A2 series, subtitles can be activated when connecting to services like Netflix or Prime Video if the user profile is set to the appropriate settings.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable subtitles, from standard settings to hidden developer settings, and focus on Android TV-based devices (including Mi Box S and Mi TV Stick), where the algorithm differs from the classic MIUI on smartphones, and learn how to remove subtitles in popular apps and what to do if they appear even when the settings are off.
Important: Xiaomi TVs with firmware below PatchWall 3.0 (released before 2021) may not have a separate subtitle section to manage subtitles, in which case you will need to update the software or use alternative methods.
Method 1: Disabling subtitles in system settings (MIUI and Android TV)
The most obvious method is to check system settings. On Xiaomi smartphones (such as the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), the path to subtitling options depends on the version of MIUI. In recent builds (MIUI 14+), the section is hidden deeper than before.
Instructions for smartphones:
- Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
- Select Hearing → Subtitles (on some models – Gestures and subtitles).
- Turn off the slider Show subtitles.
- If there is a subtitle settings item, go to it and reset the default settings.
For Xiaomi TVs and consoles (e.g. Mi TV Q2 or Mi Box 4K):
- 📺 Go to Settings. → All settings → Special facilities.
- 🔍 Find the Subtitles or Sound and Subtitles section.
- ❌ Turn off the Automatic Subtitles option and reset the display style.
Are there "Special Opportunities" open?
Is the subtitle slider off?
Are font styles and colors dropped?
Is the device rebooted after the changes?
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If a partition is missing, this could mean that subtitles are managed at the application level (see Method 3) or enabled through the hearing-impaired mode. In this case, try disabling all options in Settings → Special Features → Hearing.
Method 2: Resetting the sound settings and subtitles to factory
When subtitles appear in spite of the settings that are disabled, resetting media settings helps, a method that works on all Xiaomi devices, but requires caution – other personalized options (such as sound equalizer) will also reset along with the subtitles.
Step-by-step:
- On your smartphone: Settings → Sound and vibration → Additional → Resetting sound settings.
- On TV/Settings: Settings → Sound → Reset all sound settings.
- Confirm the action and restart the device.
| The device | The way to dump | What's being dropped |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi/Smartphone | Settings → Sound → Reset | Equalizer, subtitles, notifications |
| Mi TV (PatchWall) | Settings → Sound → Restore default settings | Loudness, subtitles, sound effects |
| Mi Box/Mi Stick | Settings → Preferences → Sound reset | Sound formats, subtitles, HDMI-exit |
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi TVs (e.g. Mi) TV 4S 2019 audio reset may lead to a change in the format of audio output from Dolby Digital to PCM. After the procedure, check the settings. HDMI-port.
Method 3: Disabling subtitles in specific applications
Many users encounter subtitles not on the system, but on individual services - YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video or Mi Video, in which case the subtitling settings are controlled directly in the application.
Examples for popular services:
- 🎬 YouTube: While watching the video, click on the Subtitles icon (in the lower right corner) and select Off..
- 📺 Netflix: Profile → Reproduction settings → Subtitles → Off.
- 🎥 Prime Video: Click on the screen while watching → Audio and subtitles → Off.
- 📱 Mi Video: Application settings → Reproduction → Subtitles → Never.
If subtitles appear even when settings are turned off, try:
- Clear the app cache (Settings → Apps → [Title] → Memory → Clear the cache).
- Remove the app updates (if available).
- Reinstall the app.
YouTube
Netflix
Prime Video
Mi Video
Other (write in the comments)
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For Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall: Subtitles in apps can be controlled via a universal menu. While watching, click Menu on the remote → Subtitles → Off.
Method 4: Correcting a failure through developer modes
If the subtitles are turned on by themselves, it may be due to a firmware error or a conflict of system services, in which case access to the developer settings will help.
How to turn on the developer mode on Xiaomi:
- On your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
- On TV: Settings → About device → Firmware version (click 5 times).
After activation of the mode:
- 🔧 On a smartphone: Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Disable automatic subtitling.
- 📺 On TV: Settings → For developers → Reset the media settings.
What to do if there is no item "Disable subtitles" in the developer mode?
Warning: Changing the settings in developer mode can affect the stability of the device. Do not change other settings unless you are sure of their purpose.
Method 5: Radical measures - reset to factory settings
If none of these methods work, the last option is to completely reset the device, which will delete all data, including apps and accounts, so use the method only as a last resort.
Instructions for smartphones:
- Create a backup of data (Settings → About Phone → Backup).
- Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting.
- Choose to erase all data and confirm.
For Xiaomi TVs and consoles:
- 🔄 Settings → All settings → The device → Resetting and remediation → Resetting settings.
- 🔐 Enter. PIN-code (default 0000 or 1234).
- ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall 4.0 firmware+ After a reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account to unlock some features (like Google Play!
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Factory reset should only be used if subtitles appear in all applications and are not disabled in standard ways, 90% of the time the problem is solved by settings from Methods 1-3.
Additional Advice and Frequent Mistakes
Sometimes subtitles keep popping up for reasons that aren't obvious.
- 🔌 HDMI-CEC: If the TV is connected to the sound panel or receiver through HDMI ARC, The subtitles can be controlled by an external device. HDMI-CEC TV settings.
- 📡 Firmware update: On Xiaomi TVs older than 2020, subtitles may be enabled due to bugs in older versions of PatchWall. → About the device → Updating the system.
- 🎧 Bluetooth devices: Some wireless headphones (e.g. Xiaomi Mi True Wireless) have a built-in subtitle broadcast feature.
Common mistakes:
- ❌ Try to disable subtitles via Screen Settings – this section is not related to text tracks.
- ❌ Use third-party apps to block subtitles – they often contain malicious code.
- ❌ Reset the sound-only settings by ignoring the Special Opportunities section.
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If the subtitles only appear on one app (like YouTube), try logging in to it under another account, and sometimes the subtitles are linked to a Google profile rather than a device.