SubRead Overlay icon

SubRead Overlay

equwal
Science & Education Science & Education
Version
0.5.0
Size
88.5 KB
Requires
Android API 26+
4.4 / 5 · 19,834 ratings 127,222 downloads

Updated Oct 18, 2026

Quick answer

Subtitles (.srt) over any media player, in time with it. Tap a word.

SubRead Overlay shows the lines of a subtitle file (.srt) over the app that plays your audiobook or video. The line follows the position of the player. It is made for people who listen in a language that they learn. What it does * Works with each player that publishes an Android media session: Voice, VLC, mpv-android, podcast apps and more. No player needs a change. * Tap a word: the player pauses at once, and the word goes to a dictionary, a translator or a flash card app. Drag to look up more words. Each app with an entry in the text selection menu can be the target. "Share" opens the share sheet of Android for the other apps. A button on the panel starts the player again. * On request the panel shows the line before and the line after too, and lets the player show through. * The line stays on the panel until the next line starts, so there is time to look a word up. * A timing row shifts the subtitles by half a second, or makes the line before or the next line the line of now. * Black on white and nothing that moves: usable on an e-ink screen. Permissions * "Show over other apps" for the panel. * Notification access. Android gives the position of other apps only to an app with this access. The app uses it for the media position, the speed, and play or pause. It does not read, keep or send a notification. * No network permission. Nothing leaves the device. No accessibility service. No subtitle file for your audiobook? SubRead, from the same author, makes an .srt from an audiobook and its ebook, on the device.

Screenshots

SubRead Overlay screenshot 1
SubRead Overlay screenshot 2

What’s new

An "Anki" button under a selected word sends the word and its line to SubRead Anki. Flash card apps can ask for the subtitle line of now. The app is smaller: R8 removes code that it does not use.

How to install

  1. Download the APK from the button at the top of this page.
  2. Allow “Install unknown apps” for your browser or file manager only, not for every app.
  3. Open the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
  4. If installation fails with “App not installed,” remove an earlier build of the same app first. A signature conflict is the usual cause.

Data safety

  • Every file is checked against its published SHA-256 before it is listed.
  • Files are scanned for malware on every update.
  • The permissions each app requests are listed on its own page.
  • Read the full safety policy for how we test, flag, and delist files.

Frequently asked questions

What is SubRead Overlay?
Subtitles (.srt) over any media player, in time with it. Tap a word.
Who develops SubRead Overlay?
SubRead Overlay is developed by equwal.
Which Android version does SubRead Overlay require?
SubRead Overlay requires Android API 26 or later.
What is the current version of SubRead Overlay?
The synchronized F-Droid version is 0.5.0.
Which license does SubRead Overlay use?
The signed F-Droid metadata lists AGPL-3.0-only.
Where is the source code for SubRead Overlay?
https://github.com/equwal/subread-overlay

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