Devices and languages
Which devices PlayLingo runs on (iPhone and iPad with iOS 18+, Mac with Apple Silicon, Android 9+), why it needs internet, and which languages you can learn.
PlayLingo runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android. Here’s what you need to run it and which languages it covers.
Devices
- iPhone with iOS 18 or later.
- iPad with iPadOS 18 or later. On iPad, Home, Explore and Following are separate tabs, and a sidebar shows all sections.
- Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or later). Install the iPad version from the Mac App Store.
- Android phone or tablet with Android 9 or later and a 64-bit processor. Install PlayLingo from Google Play. There is no official APK outside Google Play.
There is no web version. On a computer, the free Chrome extension shows dual subtitles on YouTube.
Internet connection
PlayLingo needs internet. Videos play from YouTube, and subtitles, translations and explanations load from the network. Without a connection you’ll see “No connection”. See Video won’t open.
Languages you can learn
You can learn 67 languages — every language YouTube makes automatic captions for. The full list is in the FAQ.
You choose your learning language during onboarding and can add more courses later. See Learning languages.
Your other languages
PlayLingo uses three languages that are about you, not the course:
- Native language — the language you speak. Set it in Profile → Settings (gear) → Profile → Native Language.
- Translation — the language subtitles are translated into. Change it in the player, under Translation.
- AI Language — the language Lingo explains words in. Change it in Settings → App → AI Language.
App Language (the interface language) is a separate setting in Settings → App. See Native, translation and AI language.
Common questions
Does PlayLingo work offline?
No. Videos stream from YouTube, so you need a connection.
My language isn’t on the list of interface languages. Can I still learn?
Yes. The interface language and the course are separate. You can learn any of the 67 languages with the app in English or another interface language.
Does the Mac version sync with my iPhone?
Yes, when you sign in with the same account. See Sync between devices.
Google Play says PlayLingo isn’t compatible with my phone
PlayLingo needs Android 9 or later and a 64-bit phone or tablet. Older and 32-bit devices can’t install it.
Can I move from iPhone to Android?
Yes. On Android, sign in with the same Apple or Google account you use on your iPhone, and your words and progress sync. See Sync between devices.
Related guides
- First stepsYour first session in PlayLingo: answer a few questions, pick a video, choose a mode, look up words and save them for practice.
- Chrome extensionInstall the free PlayLingo extension for Chrome, turn dual subtitles on and off in the YouTube player and choose the translation language.
- Native, translation and AI languageWhere to change your native language, the subtitle translation language, the language of AI explanations and the PlayLingo interface language.
- Learning languagesHow to add a second language in PlayLingo, switch between the languages you learn, set your level, and what removing a language deletes.
- 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.