How to Edit Auto Captions Manually on TikTok (2026 Guide)

January 22, 2026

To edit auto captions manually on TikTok, tap the “Captions” icon on the editing screen after the text has been generated. Tap the “Edit” (pencil icon) next to the caption block you want to change, correct the text using the on-screen keyboard, and tap “Save” to apply the updates to your video.

This guide provides the exact technical steps to correct and format TikTok’s AI-generated captions. Manually editing ensures that your brand names, slang, and specific terms are transcribed with 100% accuracy.

Step-by-Step: Correcting Your Captions

Follow these instructions to modify the auto-generated text in the 2026 TikTok interface:

Generate Auto-Captions First: On the video editing screen, tap the “Captions” icon and select “Auto Captions.” Wait for the AI to transcribe your audio; this is the necessary starting point for any manual editing.
Locate the Error: Scroll through the generated text blocks on your screen to find any transcription mistakes.
Enter Edit Mode: Tap the pencil icon or the “Edit” button located directly next to the specific line of text you want to change.
Modify the Text: Use your keyboard to delete errors and type the correct words or phrases.
Adjust Style (Optional): While in the edit screen, use the formatting bar above the keyboard to change the caption’s font or background style.
Save Changes: Tap “Save” or the checkmark in the top-right corner to confirm your manual edits.

Technical Note: Manually editing the text increases accuracy but does not change the automatic timing of when the words appear on the screen. For a full breakdown of the initial setup, you can refer to our guide on how to add automatic captions on TikTok.

What This Does NOT Do: This process only edits captions generated by the “Auto Captions” tool. It does not affect or allow you to edit static text boxes created using the standard “Aa” (Add Text) tool.

Conclusion

Manually editing your captions on TikTok is the final step in ensuring your content is professional and accessible. Correcting AI errors ensures your message is never misinterpreted. Once your captions are accurate, you are ready to share your TikTok video with your audience.