Chrome extension

The PlayLingo extension adds two subtitle lines to YouTube in your browser: the original sentence and its translation, right over the video. It’s free and needs no account.

Install the extension

1. Open PlayLingo in the Chrome Web Store.
2. Click Add to Chrome, then Add extension.
3. To keep the PlayLingo icon at hand, click the puzzle icon next to the address bar and pin PlayLingo.

It works in Google Chrome on a computer and in other browsers that install extensions from the Chrome Web Store, such as Microsoft Edge, Brave and Opera.

Watch with dual subtitles

1. Open a video on YouTube that has subtitles.
2. Two lines appear over the video: the original on top, the translation below.
3. The subtitles follow the video in full screen and when you switch to the next video.

The extension uses the subtitles in the language the video is spoken in. If the author added their own subtitles, they are used first; otherwise the automatic ones.

Turn subtitles on and off

• In the player: click the PlayLingo button next to YouTube’s own buttons at the bottom right of the player. An orange line under the button means the subtitles are on.
• In the extension menu: click the PlayLingo icon in the browser toolbar and use the Subtitles on YouTube switch.

While PlayLingo subtitles are on, YouTube’s own subtitles are hidden so the lines don’t overlap.

Choose the translation language

1. Click the PlayLingo icon in the browser toolbar.
2. Pick a language under Translate to. By default, the translation follows your browser language.
3. To see only the original line, turn off Show translation.

The translation is YouTube’s automatic translation of the subtitles.

What’s in the extension and what’s in the app

The extension shows subtitles and their translation. Word explanations from Lingo, practice modes, saved words and review are in the PlayLingo app for iPhone, iPad and Mac.

Common questions

Is the extension free?

Yes. The extension is free and needs no account.

Why don’t I see subtitles on a video?

The extension works only with videos that have subtitles on YouTube. If a video has none, the PlayLingo button in the player is dimmed, and hovering over it shows No subtitles for this video. Try another video, or check that the button is on.

The subtitles stopped showing. What do I do?

Reload the YouTube page. If that doesn’t help, make sure the extension is turned on in the PlayLingo menu and on the browser’s extensions page.

Does the extension collect my data?

No. The extension collects no data. Subtitles load from YouTube in your own browser, and your settings are stored in Chrome.

Is there a version for Safari or Firefox?

Not yet. The extension is available for Chrome and browsers that install extensions from the Chrome Web Store.