Add a YouTube video
Open any YouTube video, playlist or channel in PlayLingo — paste a link, share it from the YouTube app or search right inside the app.
You aren’t limited to the catalog. Any YouTube video that has subtitles can be opened in PlayLingo, and the app adds a translation and explanations to it.
Three ways to open a video
Paste a link
- Copy the video link in YouTube or in your browser.
- Open PlayLingo. If a YouTube link is in your clipboard, the app offers: “Copied a YouTube video link?” — tap to open it.
- Or open the Search tab and paste the link into the search field.
Links to playlists and channels work too: you’ll see their videos and can pick one.
Share from the YouTube app
- In the YouTube app, tap Share under the video.
- Choose PlayLingo in the share sheet (tap More if you don’t see it).
- The video opens in PlayLingo with subtitles.
Search inside the app
Open the Search tab and type what you want to watch. Tap Translate to turn your query into the language you’re learning — useful for finding videos made for native speakers.
Before the video starts
You land on the video screen with three tabs — Saved, Description and Similar — and the Watch button. Under it you can choose a practice mode and the subtitle track. See Subtitle tracks.
Which videos work
- The video must have subtitles on YouTube — made by the author or automatic ones. Without subtitles it can’t be opened for learning.
- The author must allow playback outside YouTube.
- Uploading your own video files, or videos from other sites, isn’t supported yet.
If it doesn’t work
- “Something’s not right with this link” — the link isn’t a YouTube video, playlist or channel. Copy it again from the Share button.
- “This video doesn’t have subtitles” or “This video can only be watched on YouTube” — see Video won’t open.
Common questions
Can I watch YouTube Shorts or live streams?
It depends on the video: it needs subtitles and must be allowed to play outside YouTube. Regular videos work best.
Does it cost energy to open a video?
Opening doesn’t. Watching time counts toward the free daily limit. See Free and Pro.
Where do videos I watched go?
To Home on the Play tab, with your progress, so you can continue later.
Related guides
- Subtitles and translationWatch YouTube with two lines of subtitles — the original and a translation into your language — and switch the translation or original on and off.
- Video won’t openWhat to do when a YouTube video won’t open in PlayLingo — “Video Unavailable”, “No Subtitles”, “Sign In Required” and region restrictions.
- About PlayLingoPlayLingo turns any YouTube video into a language lesson — watch with bilingual subtitles, understand every line with Lingo, practice right in the video and review the words you saved.