Have you ever struggled to alter subtitles, audio, and other language settings within Netflix? I‘m going to walk you through customizing Netflix to match your linguistic needs and preferences.
Whether you want to enable foreign language learning for your kids, access accurate subtitle translations, or watch shows produced overseas in their original language—you‘re covered.
In this guide, you‘ll learn:
- Step-by-step instructions to update profile languages
- How to toggle subtitle and audio on a per title basis
- What popular non-English shows are available
- How regions and VPNs interact with languages
- Answers to frequently asked questions
I break the process down using simple terms and visual aids. My goal is to demystify Netflix‘s language configuration so you spend less time struggling with settings and more time enjoying great international content!
Why Would You Change the Language on Netflix?
Here are the most common reasons people update their language settings within Netflix profiles and titles:
Access a Wider Range of Shows & Movies
Over 50% of new movies and shows released by Netflix are now non-English international productions. So updating your preferences expands options.
Watch Foreign Films & Shows in Native Languages
From Oscar contenders to Korean dramas to Anime, tons of beloved titles are produced overseas. Adjusting subtitles and audio lets you view them authentically.
Help Kids & Adult Language Learners
By toggling languages across profiles, parents can create a customized viewing experience to reinforce vocabulary, pronunciation and comprehension.
Avoid Confusing Subtitle Translations
Automatic translations provided by Netflix are handy but can lack nuance. Switching to native dialogue with translated subs is better in many cases.
Understand Artistic Intent in Foreign Films
From emotions conveyed in the voice to lyrics in songs, meaning gets lost switching languages in storytelling mediums. Preserve the director and writer‘s vision by avoiding dubs.
And language selection goes beyond the main profile settings…
Once a foreign language show or movie begins streaming, you can still toggle between subtitle tracks and audio feeds on the fly.
So full control over the viewing experience is available title-by-title.
Now let‘s get into the step-by-step process for updating your configurations…
How to Change Netflix Language Settings on the Web
Use Netflix‘s website to access expanded profile management tools for the most control over languages.
Step 1: Login Through Netflix.com
Pull up Netflix‘s homepage and click "Sign In" at the top right of your browser:
Enter your account credentials when the login window pops up.
This gives you access to all of Netflix‘s administrative settings across profiles and devices.
Step 2: Access Profile Management
Find your account icon underneath your profile name and picture in the top navigation:
Hover and click "Manage Profiles". This opens the master profiles hub.
Step 3: Choose the Profile to Update
Select the profile you want to edit by clicking on the pencil icon to the right of the persona name:
This will open the Profile configuration page for the chosen persona.
All preferences for that profile can be changed here, including the all-important language setting.
Step 4: Change the Language
Under "Choose a language", click the dropdown box.
Scroll through the various languages until you find your preferred option, then select it. For example, you might choose "Spanish" for a kids learning profile or "Korean" to watch a foreign film with accurate subs.
Over 30 languages are supported, though availability varies by country due to rights limitations.
Summary: Changing Profile Language Steps
| # | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Login at Netflix.com |
| 2 | Access Profile Management |
| 3 | Choose Profile to Edit |
| 4 | Change Language Dropdown |
Step 5: Save Your Changes
Confirm the language swap by clicking "Save" at the bottom of the open Profile page:
This instantly updates the primary UI language across all devices logged into the chosen profile. It also shifts subtitles and audio defaults.
Continue this process to tweak as many profiles as you need. Once done customizing, exit Account Settings.
And remember—even after updating your profile language, you can still toggle alternate subtitle tracks and audio dubs once you open a show or movie by clicking the speech bubble icon.
So your master configurations form a baseline, which you can then build on top of depending on the title.
Adjusting Netflix Language Through Mobile Apps
Don‘t have easy desktop access but still want to update your languages? Use the Netflix mobile apps for iPhone, iPad and Android instead.
Step 1: Launch the Netflix Mobile App
Tap the Netflix icon to launch the app from your home screen:
Sign in with your account info if prompted upon opening.
Step 2: Navigate to Menu
First select your profile icon, then tap the ≡ menu button in the top left corner:
This drops down the global account navigation.
Step 3: Choose "Manage Profiles"
Select "Manage Profiles" from the available menu options:
You‘ll see a list of all profiles configured under your account.
Step 4: Tap the Profile to Edit
Choose the specific profile you want to tweak by tapping the account icon or name:
This opens customization settings just for that persona.
Step 5: Update Language
Tap "Language" and pick your new preferred language:
Confirm to save changes.
And that‘s it! Netflix languages can be changed directly within mobile apps just as easily.
Summary: Mobile Language Change Steps
| # | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Launch Netflix Mobile App |
| 2 | Navigate to Menu |
| 3 | Select "Manage Profiles" |
| 4 | Choose Profile to Edit |
| 5 | Update Language Preference |
The same title-by-title customization also applies here by tapping the speech bubble within a video player.
So now that you know how to update Netflix‘s languages, let‘s clarify a few key questions around these settings…
Netflix Language Settings: Profile vs Title Options
Netflix provides language configuration at two levels:
Profile Language Settings
Your primary Netflix profile language dictates:
- Menu and navigation terminology
- Initial search and recommendation results
- Default audio and subtitle tracks
This makes it ideal as an educational or accessibility tool across your whole Netflix experience.
Title Language Settings
Within a specific title (movie or show), additional audio and subtitles can be turned on/off once playback begins through the speech bubble icon, including:
- Multiple subtitle language tracks
- Secondary audio dubs
So toggle these for one-off language swaps.
Generally, I recommend beginning by updating your main Profile language to set the baseline. From there, toggle additional languages by title as needed.
Does Netflix Detect Location & VPN Status?
What about detecting regions? Can you trick Netflix?
Your physical location determines what content appears in your Netflix library. Due to complicated licensing contracts around shows and movies, availability varies widely.
To bypass regional restrictions, some users connect to international servers using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This fools Netflix into providing different regional catalogues.
But manually changing your language does not alter detected location. Profile languages merely set viewer preferences.
So while German language options may appear after an update, only shows/movies already available in your country will surface. Those remain dictated by licensing rights in your geography.
A VPN must be used separately alongside language tweaks to unlock different regional libraries.
Most Popular Non-English Shows on Netflix
Wondering what foreign language hits you‘ve been missing out on? Here are the current top 3 as of 2022 based on total global viewing hours:
- Squid Game – Korean thriller watching for 1.65 billion hours
- Money Heist – Spanish crime drama watched for 1.15 billion hours
- All of Us Are Dead – Korean zombie horror series
As you can see, South Korean shows have been smash hits recently. And Money Heist demonstrated that shows produced overseas could generate enormous non-English audiences.
This has motivated Netflix to aggressively pursue more foreign language content, especially Asian dramas and Anime aimed at Western viewers.
So updating your profile opens up lots of highly rated foreign films and shows to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Let‘s cover some quick answers to common questions around modifying Netflix‘s languages:
How many languages are available on Netflix?
Over 30 languages have now been localized into subtitles, audio and UI including:
- Major European tongues (French, German, Spanish etc.)
- Key Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean etc.)
- Plus niche options Polish, Turkish and more depending on your country.
Can each Netflix profile use its own language?
Yes! Languages can be freely customized across user accounts and personas. For example in a multi-lingual household you might configure:
- Profile 1: French
- Profile 2: Mandarin Chinese
- Profile 3: Hindi
Very handy for language learning!
Why does Netflix sometimes changes my settings automatically?
Random profile tweaks typically mean that another user has accessed the account and updated configurations manually.
Location services and VPN connections can also prompt shifts if international servers are detected by Netflix.
Does the Netflix app work abroad?
Yes! Netflix is now available in 190 countries. However, pricing structures, shows licensing and accessibility features vary enormously based location.
Can I watch Netflix originals like Stranger Things in other languages?
Many Netflix original movies and shows allow audio and subtitles to be swapped between supported languages!
So you can customize hits like Wednesday, Glass Onion, The Crown and more based on your preference. English dubs with local subtitles are common.
Let‘s Recap Changing Netflix Languages
Adjust language settings by:
Logging into Profile Management either on the web at Netflix.com or within the mobile app menu.
Choosing a Profile to customize languages for. Want Italian? Spanish? Chinese? Set it up here.
Updating Language Preference via the dropdown menu for UI terminology, search, subs and audio.
Toggling Alternate Languages by Title using the speech bubble icon once a show or movie is playing. Swap subtitle tracks and audio dubs on the fly!
Finally, save your changes and enjoy Netflix‘s world-class foreign films, shows, and originals in the language you want! International entertainment is just a few clicks away.
