Skip to main content

How to change the language in Netflix

Netflix doesn’t quite dominate the streaming space as much as it used to, but it’s the world’s largest streaming platform, with more than 73 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 193 million worldwide.

It’s no surprise, considering the platform offers immediate access to thousands of movies and TV shows, with new content added every month. Netflix also creates some of the most engaging, exciting, and binge-worthy original shows around — from Stranger Things to Tiger King — furthering its appeal beyond pure volume.

Recommended Videos

See more

To help cater to such a robust and varied user base, Netflix allows for more than 20 languages, including Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. Thankfully, it’s easy to switch them if you accidentally select the wrong language or wish to experience a title in something other than your native tongue. Just follow the steps below.

How to change the primary language on desktop

Step 1: Sign in to your account on Netflix and click the profile you want to change the language settings.

Step 2: Click the drop-down menu located next to your profile in the upper-right corner of the homepage. Then, select Account.

Step 3: Scroll to Profile and Parental Controls and select Language to access the language settings pane. You can also bypass these two steps by navigating here in your browser.

Step 4: On the language settings page, click the small circle that corresponds to your desired language.

Step 5: After selecting your language, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Save button.

Image of Netflix Profile & Parental Controls Section
Daniel Martin/Screenshot

How to change the primary language on mobile

Step 1: Sign in to your account on Netflix using your phone or tablet’s web browser. Once signed in, select the profile you want to change the language for.

Step 2: Navigate directly to the language settings page by entering https://www.netflix.com/LanguagePreferences in your selected browser.

Step 3: Go to the Shows & Movies Languages page and find the small square that lists your preferred language.

Step 4: After choosing your language option, click the Save button at the bottom of the page.

Step 5: Open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet. If your new language appears, then you’re all set. If it doesn’t display, sign out of the app and log back in to ensure the changes go through.

Image of Netflix Shows & Movies Language Page
Daniel Martin/Screenshot

How to change the language during a show

If you’re watching a show and want to change the audio and the subtitles’ language, you can do it while you watch. Not all shows offer every language option. To change languages, select the Audio and Subtitles option at the bottom of the screen while playing a video. Then, select the audio and subtitle language of your choice. Note: Changes should take effect immediately.

Nick Perry
Nick Perry is a freelance writer who bounced from Hollywood to Silicon Beach to pajama pants. His work has been featured on…
The best hidden gems on Netflix right now
Douglas Booth and Dominic Cooper in That Dirty Black Bag.

The vast majority of Netflix subscribers can probably only name a handful of original shows that have been created for the streamer. Despite Netflix's massive budget for originals every year, it's the established shows like Suits and NCIS that pull in casual fans who just want to revisit their favorite series. As a result, the vast majority of Netflix originals have short runs and the cycle continues over and over again.

Our roundup of the best hidden gems on Netflix is meant to put a spotlight on these shows that might otherwise be lost among the glut of content on the streamer. This month, we're putting the spotlight on two Netflix shows that ended prematurely, Archive 81 and The End of the F***ing World, as well as a tennis documentary called Break Point. If you're looking for more options, you can find the rest of our picks below.

Read more
The best British TV shows on Netflix
Keira Knightley sits in a car in the dark in Black Doves.

You'll find all types of British shows on Netflix, but the best ones will keep you hooked all the way through. They come in all types, from thrillers to comedies, docuseries, dramas, and more. Some of the best British shows of the past year and beyond have been on Netflix, like Baby Reindeer and Black Mirror. New shows are coming all the time as well, like Geek Girl and Black Doves.

If you're looking for the best British TV shows on Netflix, look no further. We have you covered. We have scoured the streaming service to bring you the most exciting British shows that are worth your time. Some you might have heard of, but haven't gotten around to watching. Others may be completely new, so we'll break down what they're all about.

Read more
5 great Netflix movies to watch on Juneteenth
Jonathan Majors and Idris Elba in The Harder They Fall.

Although it only recently became a federal holiday, Juneteenth feels a little bit like a second Independence Day. It's a day when America celebrates the end of enslavement, and reflects on all the progress on racial equality that is still left to be made.

If you want to celebrate the day with a movie, Netflix has some excellent titles worth exploring that highlight every facet of the Black experience both in America and around the world. We've selected five films that will be perfect viewing for reflection and celebration this Juneteenth.
The Woman King (2022)
THE WOMAN KING – Official Trailer (HD)

Read more