YouTube lets you change the language of its interface in your account settings, on the web, or directly in the app

The language YouTube shows you — menus, buttons, notifications — is separate from the language of the videos themselves. You control the interface language through your Google Account settings, which sync across all your devices. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way whether you use YouTube on a computer, phone, or tablet.

If you want to change only the language of captions on a specific video, that is a different setting. This guide covers changing the interface language so all of YouTube's menus and buttons appear in your chosen language.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube's interface language is controlled through your Google Account settings, not through YouTube itself, so the change applies everywhere you use Google services.
  • On the web, click your profile picture in the top right, select Settings, then Language, and pick from the full list of supported languages.
  • On the YouTube app for iPhone or Android, go to Settings, Account, Language, and choose your preferred language.
  • Your language choice syncs across all devices signed into your Google Account, so you only need to change it once.
  • Changing the interface language does not affect video captions or the language of videos recommended to you.

Change the language on YouTube's website

Open YouTube in your web browser and sign into your account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner — it is a small circle with your initial or photo inside. A dropdown menu will appear.

Select Settings from that menu. You will land on a page with several options on the left side. Click Language. A list of supported languages will open. Click the language you want, and the change takes effect immediately. Your menus, buttons, and notifications will now appear in that language.

Change the language on the YouTube app for Android

Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap Settings. Scroll down and tap General. Tap Language. A list of available languages will appear. Tap the one you want, and the app will switch immediately.

If you do not see a Language option under General, your app may need an update. Open the Google Play Store, search for YouTube, and tap Update if it is available. Then return to Settings and try again.

Change the language on the YouTube app for iPhone or iPad

Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings. Tap General. Tap Language. Select the language you want from the list. The change happens right away.

If you have an older version of the YouTube app, the Language option may be in a different spot. Updating the app through the App Store usually fixes this. Open the App Store, search for YouTube, and tap Update if available.

What happens when you change your language

When you change your language in Google Account settings, the change applies to YouTube and to other Google services you use — Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, and others. All of them will switch to your chosen language at the same time. If you want YouTube in one language and Gmail in another, you would need to change your account language back and forth, which most people do not do.

The language change does not affect the videos themselves or the language YouTube recommends to you. If you watch videos in English, YouTube will continue to recommend English videos even if your interface is in Spanish or French. Captions on videos stay in their original language unless you manually change them on a per-video basis.

Switch back to your original language

If you change your language and want to switch back, follow the same steps. On the web, click your profile picture, select Settings, click Language, and choose your original language. On the app, go to Settings, General, Language, and pick the language you want. The change is instant and can be undone at any time.

If you cannot find the Language option or the menu looks different, you may be signed out of your account. Sign out completely and sign back in, then try again. Sometimes clearing your browser cache or reinstalling the app also fixes display issues.

If YouTube is not showing your chosen language

Sometimes YouTube will revert to a different language if your browser or device settings override your account language. Check your device's system language — on Windows, this is in Settings under Language and Region; on Mac, it is in System Preferences under Language and Region; on iPhone, it is in Settings under General, Language and Region; on Android, it is in Settings under System, Languages and input, Languages.

If your device language and your YouTube language do not match, YouTube may default to your device language. Changing your device language to match your YouTube language usually fixes this. Alternatively, some browsers let you set a language just for that browser, which can override your device language for websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing YouTube's language change the language of videos I watch?

No. Changing your interface language only changes the menus and buttons. The videos themselves stay in their original language. If you want captions in a different language, click the CC button on a video and select a caption language from the list.

Will my language change affect other people who use my device?

Only if they are signed into your Google Account. If they sign into their own account, they will see YouTube in their own language. If they use YouTube without signing in, they will see the language set by your device's system settings.

What if my language is not on the list?

YouTube supports over 100 languages, but not every language is available. If yours is not listed, the closest related language is usually the best option. You can also contact Google Support to request a language, though there is no may provide it will be added.

Can I change the language for just YouTube without changing it for Gmail and other Google services?

Not through the standard settings. Your Google Account language controls all Google services at once. If you need different languages for different services, you would need to change your account language each time, which is not practical for most people.