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Live Captions is a setting on the iPad that allows students to have words on the screen for everything people say. Live Captions works across all apps.
With Live Captions, students in the TDSB can:
increase focus and attention
expand vocabulary
strengthen comprehension and fluency
build independence
To turn on and customize Live Captions on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Tap each image below to learn more, and zoom in to get a closer look.
Go to "Settings".
Tap "Accessibility".
Scroll up to find, and tap on, "Live Captions".
Tap the circle to toggle on "Live Captions".
Tap "Appearance" to change the way Live Captions looks.
Change the look of the text by tapping "Bold Text" or "Text Size" and then choose from the menu options.
Change the Colors by tapping on "Text Color" or Background Color". To reset the colors of Live Captions, tap "Reset Colors".
Touch and drag the circle along the line to set how light or dark the Live Captions button will look on the screen when it is not being used.
Tap "Live Captions" to return to the Live Captions Settings.
Live Captions will be shown on the Home Screen and in all iPad apps, unless "In-App Live Captions" are turned on for specific apps. When Live Captions are turned on for specific apps, they will only be shown in the chosen app.
To use Live Captions on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
After turning on and customizing Live Captions, go to an app or the Home Screen.
Tap the Live Captions button at the side of the screen to open the Live Captions window.
With the microphone selected, the iPad will listen for in-person spoken words and type (transcribe) them in the Live Captions window.
Touch and drag the Live Captions window to other areas of the screen.
Tap the two arrows to make the Live Captions window larger.
Tap the two arrows again to make the Live Captions window smaller.
Tap "Microphone" to open the Live Captions menu and choose between "Pause Listening" (to stop Live Captions), "Microphone" (to have the iPad listen for in-person spoken words), or "iPad Audio" (to only have the iPad listen to words coming from the iPad).
To hide the Live Captions window at the side of the screen, tap the left arrow.
To turn off Live Captions on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Go to "Settings".
Tap "Accessibility".
Scroll up to find, and tap on, "Live Captions".
Tap the circle to toggle off "Live Captions".
Step-by-step instructions according to the iPad's Operating System:
LINKS TO EXTERNAL RESOURCES
LINKS TO EXTERNAL RESOURCES
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With Live Captions, students in the TDSB can:
focus on important information. Use Live Captions to see and read what the teacher or speaker is saying in order to learn about important information during presentations and group discussions.
increase understanding of visual information. Turn on Live Captions while watching a video in History or Math to understand the information better.
learn a new language. Students learning English can use Live Captions to see words on the screen while listening in order to increase understanding.
participate in group activities. While working on a group task, use Live Captions to easily see what others are saying.
Last Updated June 16, 2025
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