Live Caption: How to use one of the Pixel 4's coolest features – CNET

Launching with the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL is Google’s Live Caption feature. First announced with Android 10 back in May, the new feature adds real-time captions to videos, podcasts or voice notes, and it’s all done on your phone without sending any information to Google.

Live Caption is useful if you like seeing captions when watching videos, and it’s even more important from an accessibility standpoint.

Right now, the feature is available only on the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, though Google is working on bringing Live Caption to the Pixel 3 (See deal) and Pixel 3 XL (See deal) later this year.

How to turn on Live Caption

After setting up your Pixel 4, you’ll need to turn on Live Caption in the Settings app (Settings > Sound > Live Caption). Slide the switch next to Live Caption to the On position, and then go through the options below to customize how the feature works. 

I recommend leaving Live Caption in volume control turned on, as it places a handy toggle in the volume control you can use to quickly turn Live Caption on or off without needing to dig through the Settings app again.

How to use Live Caption

Using Live Caption is a seamless experience. Simply start playing a video, podcast or audio note and a black bar will show up on your screen, auto-filling with captions for the audio currently playing on your phone. Live Caption doesn’t work with music or phone calls.

You can drag the black caption bar around your screen, or drag it all the way down and off the bottom of the screen to deactivate Live Caption. Alternatively, you can press the volume up or down button, followed by the Live Caption icon at the bottom of the volume slider to turn the feature on or off. All of the transcriptions are done in real time, regardless if you have an internet connection or not. Nothing is ever sent to Google for processing.

My favorite part of Live Caption is its ability to caption a video even when the video is muted. Meaning I can watch a short prank video when scrolling through Facebook and read the captions without having to subject myself to unmuting all of the loud autoplay videos in the Facebook app.

If you’re looking for more tips and tricks for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, we have a helpful roundup of guides. From getting the hang of its Android 10 gesture navigation to helpful tips and tricks for Android 10 as a whole — we have you covered.