Make a short explanation easy to follow.

A YouTube Short has room for one useful idea. Tap Captions helps you put that idea into readable text and a spoken script, using footage already on your iPhone.

Build around one point

Choose a clip that shows the result or the action clearly. Write down what a viewer needs to understand, then remove anything the video already explains on its own. The narration can supply the context while the footage supplies the detail.

If the clip already contains speech, start with automatic captions. If it needs narration, use text to speech and listen to the result alongside the action.

Review at phone size

Long lines and small type are difficult to follow on a small screen. Break captions into short phrases, keep a consistent position and avoid covering the step or object you are explaining.

Keep your subject and captions inside the frame you intend to publish. Check the uploaded draft for cropping and interface overlays. Consult YouTube's Shorts guidance for the platform's current creation and upload requirements.

Keep captions useful in both places

Captions embedded in a video remain visible. A separate YouTube caption track can give viewers display controls that embedded text cannot provide. Review any platform-generated captions as well, particularly names and numbers.

Tap Captions focuses on preparing the video locally. YouTube handles publishing, distribution and the settings available to viewers.

Save, then publish

Export your copy on the iPhone, watch it from beginning to end and upload when ready. Read the export workflow or request access to the beta.