Change your Netflix language in account settings
Netflix lets you change the language of the interface itself — the menus, buttons, and text you see — separately from the language of the shows and movies you watch. To change the interface language, sign into your Netflix account on a web browser, go to your account settings, and select your preferred language from the language menu. The change takes effect when ready across all your devices.
On a phone or tablet, open the Netflix app, tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner, select Account, then scroll down to find Language. Choose your preferred language from the list. On a computer, visit account.netflix.com, click Account in the top right, find Language under your profile settings, and select a new language.
Netflix supports dozens of languages for the interface, including Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Turkish, Russian, Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. The language you choose affects only the menus and labels — it does not automatically change what language your shows play in.
Key Takeaways
- The interface language (menus and buttons) is separate from the audio and subtitle language of individual shows, so changing one does not change the other.
- You change interface language through your account settings on any device — the change syncs across all your phones, tablets, and computers.
- Each show or movie lists the languages it is available in; you pick the audio or subtitle language when you press play, not in settings.
- If a show does not offer your preferred language, you can still watch it in another language or turn on subtitles in your chosen language.
How to change the audio language for a specific show
The language Netflix plays a show in depends on what languages that particular show offers. When you start watching, look for an audio icon (usually three horizontal lines or a speaker symbol) on the playback screen. Tap or click it to see all available audio languages for that episode or film. Select the language you want and the show will play in that language from that point forward.
Not every show offers every language. A show might be available in English and Spanish but not in French. If the language you want is not listed, that show straightforward is not dubbed or recorded in that language. You can still watch it in English with subtitles in your preferred language instead.
How to change subtitles independently from audio
You can watch a show in one language and read subtitles in another. While a show is playing, look for a speech bubble or subtitle icon on the playback controls. Click or tap it to see subtitle options. Netflix will show you all available subtitle languages for that show, which is often a longer list than audio languages because subtitles are cheaper to produce than dubbing.
You can also turn subtitles off entirely by selecting "Off" from the subtitle menu. If you want subtitles in a language the show does not offer, you cannot add them — you are limited to what Netflix has provided for that particular title.
Set a default subtitle language in your account
If you always want subtitles in a particular language, you can set a default. Go to your account settings on a web browser, find Subtitle Appearance, and select your preferred subtitle language. Netflix will automatically show subtitles in that language whenever they are available, though you can still override this choice for any individual show by selecting a different language while it is playing.
You can also set a default audio language in account settings under Playback Settings. Choose your preferred language, and Netflix will play shows in that language first if it is available. Again, you can change this for any single show without affecting your default.
What to do if your preferred language is not available
Netflix's language offerings vary by title and by region. A show available in 15 languages in one country might be available in only 5 languages in another. If a language you need is not offered for a particular show, your options are limited to what Netflix has provided.
You can watch in English with subtitles in your language if subtitles are available. You can also contact Netflix support through your account to report that a language is missing, though Netflix cannot may provide they will add it. The decision to dub or subtitle a show depends on Netflix's estimate of demand in each region, not on individual requests.
How language settings work across devices
Your interface language setting syncs across all devices linked to your Netflix account. If you change the interface to Spanish on your phone, it will be Spanish on your computer and tablet the next time you sign in. However, the audio and subtitle languages you choose for individual shows do not sync — they are specific to each device and each viewing session.
This means if you watch a show in Spanish on your phone, it will not automatically play in Spanish on your TV. You will need to select the language again when you start watching on a different device. This design lets different people in your household watch the same show in different languages without affecting each other's settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the language of a show that is already playing?
Yes. While the show is playing, tap or click the audio icon on the playback controls and select a different language. The change takes effect when ready, though you may need to rewind a few seconds to hear the new language from where you were watching.
Why does my show only have subtitles in English?
Netflix provides subtitles based on demand and cost. Popular shows often have subtitles in many languages, while less popular titles may have only English subtitles. You cannot request subtitles in a language Netflix has not provided, but you can contact Netflix support to report the gap.
If I change my interface language to Spanish, will my shows play in Spanish?
No. Changing the interface language only changes the menus and buttons you see. Shows will still play in whatever language they were in before, or in the default audio language you set in account settings. You must select the audio language separately for each show.
Do I need to change language settings on every device?
Your interface language syncs across all devices, so you only need to change it once. However, the audio and subtitle languages for individual shows do not sync — you choose them fresh on each device when you press play.
What if my language is not in the Netflix language list?
Netflix supports major languages but not all languages worldwide. If your language is not available, you can contact Netflix support to request it, though there is no may provide it will be added. In the meantime, you can use English with subtitles in a supported language if available.