YouTube lets you change the language and region in your account settings, and the change takes effect when ready across all your devices

The language you see on YouTube — menu buttons, video titles, captions, recommendations — comes from your account settings, not your device's language. You can change it in one place and it will follow you whether you're on your phone, tablet, or computer. The region setting is separate and affects which videos YouTube recommends and which content is available to you.

Both settings are in the same menu. If you're signed in, you can reach them in under a minute. If you're not signed in, YouTube will show you content based on your device's language and your location, but you won't be able to save a preference.

Key Takeaways

  • Language and region are two separate settings — language controls what you see on the screen, and region controls what videos YouTube recommends to you.
  • You change both settings in your YouTube account settings under "Language" and "Location", not in your device's system settings.
  • The change takes effect when ready on all devices where you're signed in with that account.
  • If you share a device with other people, each person should sign in with their own account to see their own language and region.

How to change your language on YouTube

Open YouTube and sign in to your account. In the top right corner, click your profile picture (a circle with your initial or photo). A menu will drop down. Click "Settings".

On the left side of the page, click "Language". A list of languages will appear. Find the language you want and click it. YouTube will reload in that language when ready. If you don't see your language in the list, scroll down — there are over 100 options.

The change applies to every screen you see: buttons, menus, video titles, and the sidebar. It does not change the language of the videos themselves — if a video is in English, it will still be in English. If you want captions in a different language, you change that on the video itself, not in settings.

How to change your region on YouTube

In the same Settings menu, click "Location" on the left side. YouTube will show you the region it currently has on file. Click "Change" next to it. A list of countries and regions will appear. Select the one you want.

Your region affects which videos YouTube recommends to you and which content is available. Some videos are restricted to certain regions by the creator or by copyright rules. If you change your region, you may see different recommendations and different videos in search results.

YouTube determines your region partly from your account setting and partly from your actual location (which it can see from your internet connection). If you travel, you may see content from your travel location temporarily, even if your account is set to a different region. When you return home, it will go back to your account setting.

What happens when you change language or region

The language change happens when ready on the device you're using. If you're signed in on other devices — a phone, tablet, or another computer — the language will change there too, usually within a few minutes. You don't have to sign out and sign back in.

The region change also syncs across devices, but it may take longer — sometimes up to 24 hours. During that time, you might see recommendations from both regions. This is normal and will resolve on its own.

If you change your language by mistake, you can change it back the same way. Go to your profile picture, click Settings, click Language, and pick a different one.

If you share a device with other people

If multiple people use the same computer, phone, or tablet, each person should have their own account and sign in separately. That way, each person sees their own language, region, recommendations, and watch history. YouTube remembers which account is signed in and shows that person's settings.

If someone else is signed in on your device, their language and region will show. When you sign in, yours will show. You don't have to change the device settings — just make sure you're signed in to your own account.

If you want to use YouTube without signing in, it will show you content based on your device's language and your location, but it won't remember your preferences. Every time you open YouTube, it will start fresh.

Troubleshooting language and region changes

If you changed your language but the screen is still in the old language, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening YouTube. If it's still not working, sign out and sign back in. Sometimes the change needs a fresh login to take effect.

If you're on the YouTube app on your phone and the language didn't change, make sure you're signed in to the same account you used to change the setting. The app syncs with your account, but it can take a few minutes. Try closing the app completely and opening it again.

If you changed your region and you're still seeing videos from the old region, remember that YouTube also uses your actual location. If you're traveling, your temporary location may override your account setting. When you return home, it should go back to your account region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my language on YouTube change the language on other Google services?

No. YouTube's language setting is separate from Gmail, Google Search, and other Google products. You can change each one independently. If you want all your Google services in the same language, you can change your Google Account language in your Google Account settings, but that's a different menu from YouTube's language setting.

Can I see YouTube in two languages at the same time?

No, but you can switch between languages quickly. If you need to use YouTube in two languages regularly, you can create a second Google Account, set each account to a different language, and sign in to whichever one you need. Both accounts can be on the same device.

Will changing my region affect my YouTube channel or videos I've uploaded?

No. Your channel and your videos stay the same. Changing your region only changes what you see and what YouTube recommends to you. It doesn't change anything about your channel or your uploads.

What if YouTube doesn't have my language?

YouTube supports over 100 languages, but not every language is available. If yours isn't listed, you can request it through YouTube's help center, but there's no may provide it will be added. In the meantime, you can use YouTube in a related language or in English.