How to Change the Language on Your Apple TV

Change Your Apple TV Language in Settings

You can change the language on your Apple TV through the Settings app in about two minutes. The exact steps depend on whether you have an Apple TV box (4th generation or newer) or an Apple TV app on another device, but both follow the same path: open Settings, find Language and Region, and select your preferred language.

The language you choose affects the entire interface—menus, buttons, system messages, and app text will all display in that language. Apps themselves may or may not respect this setting; some apps have their own language preferences you'll need to change separately.

Key Takeaways

Open Settings on your Apple TV, then go to Airplay and HomeKit, then Language and Region to find the language menu.
Select your preferred language from the list; the change takes effect when ready without restarting.
If you're using the Apple TV app on a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Roku, the language setting is in that device's own settings, not in the app itself.
Some streaming apps have their own language settings separate from your Apple TV language, so you may need to change both.
If you accidentally select a language you don't read, you can still navigate back to Settings using the remote's menu button and visual icons.

Steps for Apple TV Box (4th Generation and Newer)

Start on the Apple TV home screen. Press the Menu button on your remote to open the Control Center, or swipe up from the bottom of the screen if you're using a Siri Remote. Look for the Settings icon (it looks like a gear) and select it.

Once in Settings, scroll down and select Airplay and HomeKit. Then scroll down again and select Language and Region. You'll see a list of languages. Highlight the language you want and press Select on your remote. The change happens right away—you don't need to restart your Apple TV.

If you want to change the region as well (which affects date and time formats, keyboard layouts, and some app content), stay in the Language and Region menu and select Region. Choose your country or region from the list the same way.

Steps for Apple TV App on Other Devices

If you're using the Apple TV app on a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Roku device, the language setting lives in that device's own settings, not in the app. The Apple TV app itself doesn't have a language menu.

On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings on your device, scroll down to find Apple TV, tap it, and look for Language. On Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), go to General, then Language & Region. On Roku, go to Settings on your Roku device, select System, then Language, and choose your language. After you change it, the Apple TV app will display in that language the next time you open it.

What Happens When You Change the Language

The Apple TV system interface—everything you see before you open an app—switches to your chosen language when ready. This includes the home screen, menus, Settings, search, and notifications. You won't see any restart message or delay.

Individual apps may or may not follow this setting. Netflix, Disney+, and most major streaming services let you set the language inside the app itself, separate from your Apple TV language. If you change your Apple TV to Spanish but Netflix is still in English, you'll need to open Netflix, go to its settings, and change the language there too. Check each app's settings if you want everything in the same language.

If You Selected the Wrong Language by Mistake

Don't panic—you can still navigate back even if you can't read the menu text. Press the Menu button on your remote to go back one screen. Keep pressing Menu until you reach the home screen, which has visual icons you can recognize (the TV icon, the app grid, the search icon).

Once you're on the home screen, look for the gear icon (Settings) and select it. Then look for the icon that looks like a globe or the second menu option (which is usually Airplay and HomeKit). Select it, then look for the third menu option (Language and Region). Select it, then choose the first option in the list (which is usually your original language or English). This works even if you can't read the labels.

Changing Audio Language vs. System Language

The Language and Region setting changes the system interface only. If you want to watch a show or movie in a different audio language, that's a separate setting inside the app or on the video player itself. When you start playing a show, look for an audio or language button (often marked with a speaker icon or "Audio") and select a different language track if it's available.

Similarly, subtitles have their own menu. While a video is playing, press the down arrow or Menu button on your remote to bring up playback controls, then look for a subtitles or CC button. The language you chose in Settings doesn't automatically change subtitle languages—you set those per video.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing the language affect my apps and subscriptions?

No. Your subscriptions stay active and your app accounts stay logged in. The change only affects how the Apple TV system displays text. Apps like Netflix or Hulu will still work exactly as before, though they may display in their own language settings if you've set those separately.

Can I have multiple languages on one Apple TV?

Not simultaneously. Apple TV uses one system language at a time. If multiple people use the same Apple TV and prefer different languages, you'd need to change it each time, or set up separate user accounts (though each account would still share the same system language).

What if my language isn't in the list?

Apple TV supports most major languages, but not every language in the world. If yours isn't listed, English is the most common fallback. Some regional variants (like Simplified Chinese vs. Traditional Chinese) are separate options, so check the full list carefully before assuming it's not there.

Do I need to restart Apple TV after changing the language?

No. The language change takes effect when ready. You can start using the new language right away without unplugging or restarting your device.

Will changing the language change the language of my Siri voice?

Changing the system language may change Siri's accent and language, but Siri's voice settings are separate. If you want a different Siri voice after changing the language, go back to Settings, find Siri and Search, and look for Voice options.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.