Subtitles FAQ

Do I need Kinosail Player?

No. Subtitles writes sidecars for videos in folders you control. A compatible player can use those files.

Do I need a provider?

Local scanning and coverage work without one. Provider downloads require a configured account/key and available quota. See provider setup.

Are my videos uploaded?

No. Providers receive bounded search metadata and, where used, a locally calculated hash. See privacy.

Can it replace an existing sidecar?

Yes, under conservative maintenance rules. Managed files need a meaningful score improvement; unknown sidecars require an exact OpenSubtitles hash match and retain a .kinosail.bak original. SubSource files stay unchanged under its terms.

Can I keep fewer subtitle files or playback choices?

Yes. Playback subtitle choices can hide extra tracks without changing files. Optional cleanup is off by default and shows the files it would hide before confirmation. It keeps file contents beside each video with a .hidden suffix. Remove the suffix to restore a file. Back up your sidecars first and follow Configure languages and automation.

Does an app backup include my subtitles?

No. Sidecars live in the media tree. Back up media and sidecars separately from application state, external configuration, and keys.

Where are the production downloads?

Passing builds on main publish a signed ghcr.io/kinosail/kinosail-subtitles:latest container. Use the Docker install guide. Numbered GitHub releases are separate from the current container publication flow.

Do I need to pay to use subtitle search?

No. Every core feature is free on your own Server. Optional Supporter badges recognize monthly or one-time support.