Streaming

How to Get Subtitles on Kodi

By Novak Bozovic / September 18, 2021

One of the best things about Kodi is the application's integration with third-party services. That is how you can get a powerful source of subtitles for your Kodi, for pretty much any movie or TV show out there. However, how exactly do you get subtitles on Kodi?

Well, as implied above, Kodi doesn't offer this functionality built-in. That means you need to rely on a subtitle repository, which is going to be OpenSubtitles in this case. And since this repository offers a Kodi addon, the process of setting it up is quite simple.

Tip

Keep in mind that certain Kodi add-ons require you to enable subtitles from within their settings. If you go through the following procedure and still can't get subtitles to work, don't forget to inspect your favorite add-ons settings.

So, here's how to get subtitles on Kodi by using OpenSubtitles.

Step #1: Set Up Your OpenSubtitles(.org) Account

Here's how to get your OpenSubtitles account, which is done via this platform's official website. Make sure to go through the following steps.

1. Using any Web browser, visit https://www.opensubtitles.org/.

2. Take a look at the top of that page and click on 'Register.'

Homepage of OpenSubtitles Website

3. Now, fill out the required fields. Remember your username and password.

Registration Form for OpenSubtitles

4. Once done, expect to receive an email to activate your new account.

5. To check if everything's valid, log in to your account on OpenSubtitles.org.

Step #2: Install the OpenSubtitles Addon on Kodi

To get subtitles on Kodi, you need to integrate OpenSubtitles with this application. Therefore, here's how to install the OpenSubtitles Kodi addon.

1. Launch Kodi and click on 'Add-ons' using the main menu.

2. Then, click on 'Download' (using the main menu) and select 'Subtitles.'

Subtitles Button in Kodi Addons Section

3. Find 'OpenSubtitles.org' and click on this addon's name to bring up its overview.

Installing OpenSubtitles on Kodi

4. Use the 'Install' button and wait a couple of moments until the add-on is ready to use.

5. Click on the addon's name again to see the addon's overview – and click on 'Configure.'

Entering Username and Password for OpenSubtitles in Kodi

6. Input your OpenSubtitles username and password and select 'OK.'

Lastly, we'll need to visit Kodi's settings to adjust a couple of things. This is the final step in integrating the application with the OpenSubtitles service.

1. Return to Kodi's home screen and visit its settings (use the cogwheel icon).

2. You'll now see a grid of icons. You need to select the 'Player' icon.

Accessing Player Settings Kodi

3. Take a look at the left-bottom corner. It should say 'Standard' there. If it doesn't, click on the cogwheel icon until it says 'Standard.'

4. Then, select 'Language' from the left-placed menu.

Picking a Subtitle Language in Kodi

5. Take a look at the right and find the 'Download Services' segment. Click on 'Language to Download Subtitles For' and select your preferred language there.

6. Then, click on 'Default TV Show Service' and select 'OpenSubtitles.org.'

Picking OpenSubtitle as Default Subtitle Service for Kodi

7. Click on 'Default Movie Service' as well, and once again select 'OpenSubtitles.org.'

Step #4: Activate Subtitles on Kodi!

Lastly, we need to teach you how to activate subtitles while watching a movie or TV show. You'll use this final step each time you want to add subtitles to a file that you're playing.

Tip

Before you start using all kinds of Kodi addons, make sure to use the application legally. With that said, here's what to know about official vs. unofficial addons. And more precisely, here's why unofficial Kodi addons aren't safe to use.

1. Go ahead and start playing any movie or TV show – using any Kodi addon.

2. Once the video starts playing, click on the subtitle icon in the bottom-right corner.

Subtitle Button in Kodi During Playback

3. Using the newly opened pop-up, click on 'Download Subtitle.'

Listing Subtitles for a Specific Video File in Kodi

4. OpenSubtitles will now present a list of results – based on the name of the video file you're streaming. On the left side, you'll see the subtitle file's language. On the right, you'll see its rating (if available, of course).

Subtitles in Kodi Appearance

5. Click on any subtitle's name – and it will be automatically downloaded. This means that any pop-ups will disappear, and you'll return to streaming your video file.

Tip

OpenSubtitles automatically shows a list of subtitles. However, you can always search for subtitles manually – by using the 'Manual Search String' button. Input the movie's full name or the TV show episode you're currently watching, and a new round of subtitles will appear.

FAQ

Kodi Subtitles Not Showing?

Did you select the 'subtitles' icon while playing a video file? If you see nothing there (no subtitle services mentioned), you've probably misconfigured something. We recommend going through the setup procedure again, as explained in this article.

Is There a Shortcut Key for Enabling Subtitles on Kodi?

You can use the 'T' key to toggle subtitles. However, this shortcut key works only after you add a subtitle file to a video, based on our experience. In other words, you can use the 'T' key on your keyboard to disable and then re-enable Kodi subtitles.

What Are the Best Services for Kodi Subtitles?

By far, the best subtitle service for Kodi is OpenSubtitles.org. This one features millions of subtitle files, where you can get to choose multiple subtitle files for a single video file. An alternative to OpenSubtitles would be SubScene.

Can You Get Subtitles on Kodi Without Registration?

Yes – you can get subtitles on Kodi without having to register. Use SubScene instead of OpenSubtitles. However, keep in mind that SubScene doesn't have as many subtitles files as its competitor.

How to Turn Off Kodi Subtitles?

Once you decide to get rid of Kodi subtitles, it's best to do so by going to Kodi's settings. Click on 'Player' and then select 'Language' on the left. You then need to click on 'Default TV Show Service' and 'Default Movie Service' while selecting 'None' for each.

This brings us to the end of our guide on how to get subtitles on Kodi. In case you have any questions, don't hesitate to post a comment below. And of course, feel free to share this article online with your fellow Kodi users. Thanks!



For a better user experience we recommend using a more modern browser. We support the latest version of the following browsers: For a better user experience we recommend using the latest version of the following browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari