How to Turn On Captions in Google Meet (2026)
Live captions in Google Meet are free for everyone and show what’s being said at the bottom of the call in real time. Here’s how to turn them on, change the language, and fix them when they don’t appear.
Turn On Captions on a Computer
- Join the meeting and move your mouse to reveal the bottom toolbar.
- Click Turn on captions — the CC icon. (If you don’t see it, open the three-dot More options menu and choose Captions.)
- Captions appear along the bottom of the screen instantly.
- To hide them, click the CC button again.
Captions only display on your own screen — turning them on doesn’t switch them on for anyone else.
Turn On Captions on Mobile
- In the meeting, tap the screen, then tap the three-dot More menu.
- Tap Captions.
- Choose your language and tap to enable them.
- Tap Captions again to turn them off.
Change the Caption Language
- Open the three-dot menu > Captions (or Settings > Captions).
- Set the meeting language to the language people are actually speaking — this is what drives accuracy.
- On supported Workspace and Google One plans, you can also turn on translated captions to read the conversation in a different language than it’s spoken.
Captions vs. Transcripts
Captions are live and disappear as the meeting moves on — nothing is saved. If you need a written record afterward, use a transcript instead. See how to get a transcript of a Google Meet.
Troubleshooting
I don’t see the CC button
Move your mouse to show the toolbar, or look under the three-dot menu. On a very small window the button can collapse into More options.
Captions are inaccurate
Set the correct meeting language, and improve your audio — captions struggle with background noise and crosstalk. Turning on noise cancellation helps a lot.
Translated captions aren’t available
Translation requires an eligible Workspace or Google One plan. Standard live captions still work on every account.
Captions lag or freeze
A weak connection delays captions. Turn off your camera or close other tabs to free up bandwidth, then toggle captions off and on.
Quick Reference
| Goal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Turn on captions | CC button, or three dots > Captions |
| Change language | Three dots > Captions > meeting language |
| Translate captions | Enable translated captions (eligible plans) |
| Save a written copy | Use a transcript instead |
| Turn captions off | Click CC again |
Related Google Meet guides: How to get a transcript of a Google Meet · How to reduce background noise in Google Meet · How to record a Google Meet · How to share your screen on Google Meet
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