Change your YouTube language in account settings
YouTube shows you content in whatever language your Google account is set to. To change it, sign into your YouTube account, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Settings. On the left side, click Language, then choose the language you want from the dropdown menu. YouTube will reload in that language within a few seconds.
This change affects only your account — anyone else using the same device will see YouTube in their own language when they sign in. If you use YouTube without signing in, the language defaults to what your browser or device is set to, not your account language.
The language setting controls the labels, buttons, and menus you see on YouTube itself. It does not change the language of videos in your recommendations or search results. YouTube still recommends videos based on what you watch, regardless of the interface language.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube language is controlled through your Google account settings, not through YouTube directly.
- Changing your account language affects only you — other people signing into the same device will see their own language.
- The interface language (menus and buttons) changes, but video recommendations stay based on your watch history.
- If you are not signed in, YouTube uses your browser or device language instead of your account setting.
- You can change your language back at any time by returning to Settings and selecting a different option.
Where to find the language setting if you cannot locate it
If you do not see a Language option in your Settings menu, you may be looking in the wrong place. YouTube has two different settings areas, and the language option is in your account settings, not in YouTube preferences. Click your profile picture, then look for the word Settings — not "Preferences" or "Playback settings".
On mobile devices (iPhone, Android, or iPad), the process is slightly different. Open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture at the top right, tap Settings, then tap General. From there, select Language and choose from the list. The menu structure is the same as on a computer, just organized differently for a smaller screen.
What happens to your subscriptions and watch history when you change languages
Your subscriptions, watch history, and saved playlists do not change when you switch languages. Everything you have saved stays exactly where it is. Only the words and labels on the screen change — the content itself and your account data remain the same.
If you change your language and then change it back, you will return to the same account with all your history intact. There is no waiting period or confirmation step. The change takes effect when ready.
Changing the language for captions and subtitles on individual videos
The language you set in your account settings is different from the language of captions on a video. To change captions for a specific video, click the CC button (closed captions) at the bottom right of the video player, then click Settings (the gear icon). Select Subtitles, then choose the language you want. This setting applies only to that one video, not to your entire account.
Not all videos have captions in all languages. If the language you want is not available, YouTube will show you only the languages that exist for that video. Some videos have captions created by the uploader, while others use automatic captions generated by YouTube — automatic captions may be less accurate, especially for less common languages.
If YouTube is still showing in the wrong language after you change it
If you changed your language setting but YouTube is still showing in a different language, clear your browser cache and cookies, then sign out and sign back in. Sometimes your browser holds onto old information and does not load the new setting right away. After you clear the cache, YouTube should load in your chosen language.
If you are using a shared device, make sure you are signed into the correct account. If someone else is signed in, they will see their own language, not yours. Check the profile picture in the top right corner to confirm you are in your account.
Changing the language for YouTube recommendations and search results
Your account language does not control which videos YouTube recommends to you — that is based on your watch history and what you search for. If you want to see recommendations in a different language, you need to watch videos in that language. YouTube learns what you are interested in by tracking what you click on and watch.
You can also change your Location setting separately from your language. Location affects which videos are available in your region and which ads you see, but it does not change the language of the interface. Location is in the same Settings menu, just below Language. Changing location does not affect your watch history or subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my YouTube language affect other Google services like Gmail or Google Drive?
No. YouTube uses the language setting from your Google account, but changing it only affects YouTube. Your Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services will stay in whatever language they were set to. If you want to change the language for all Google services at once, you need to change it in your main Google account settings, not in YouTube.
Can I set different languages for YouTube on different devices?
Yes. Since the language is tied to your account, not your device, you can change it on any device where you sign in. If you sign into YouTube on your phone and set it to Spanish, then sign in on your computer and set it to French, each device will show the language you chose for that device — as long as you are signed into the same account.
What if I cannot find my language in the dropdown menu?
YouTube supports most major languages, but not every language in the world. If your language is not in the list, YouTube will show you the closest available option. You can also try searching for a language by typing the first letter — the dropdown menu is searchable on most devices.
Does changing my language affect the videos other people see when they watch my channel?
No. Your language setting is personal to your account. When other people visit your channel, they see it in their own language, not yours. Your channel name, description, and video titles stay exactly as you wrote them — the interface language is the only thing that changes for each person viewing.