Change your iPhone language in Settings
Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap General. Scroll down and tap Language & Region. At the top, you'll see iPhone Language — tap it to see the full list of available languages. Select the language you want, and your iPhone will ask you to confirm. The system language will switch when ready, and you'll see all menus, buttons, and system text in your chosen language.
The change applies to everything on your phone: the home screen, Settings, notifications, and built-in apps like Mail, Messages, and Calendar. Third-party apps may or may not follow this setting — some apps have their own language preferences that override the system setting.
If you change your mind, you can switch back the same way. Go to Settings > General > Language & Region > iPhone Language, and pick a different language.
Key Takeaways
- Your iPhone language lives in Settings > General > Language & Region, and changing it affects all system text and menus when ready.
- The region setting (separate from language) controls date format, time format, and which app store you see — you can change language without changing region.
- Some apps ignore your system language and use their own language setting, so you may need to change those separately inside each app.
- If you forget which language you chose, you can still navigate Settings by icon and location, or ask Siri to switch it back.
Understand the difference between language and region
Language and region are two separate settings, and you can change one without changing the other. Language controls what text you see — menus, buttons, error messages. Region controls how dates, times, and numbers display, and which App Store you access.
For example, you could set your language to English but your region to France, so you'd see English text but dates formatted as day/month/year and prices in euros. Or you could set language to Spanish and region to the United States, so you'd see Spanish text but dates formatted as month/day/year and access the US App Store.
To change your region separately, go to Settings > General > Language & Region and tap Region. Choose your region from the list. This won't change your language — only how information displays and which store you see.
Add a second language keyboard to type in multiple languages
If you want to type in a language different from your system language, you don't need to change your whole phone. Instead, add a keyboard for that language. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap Add New Keyboard. Find the language you want to type in and tap it.
When you're typing in any app, you'll see a globe icon at the bottom of the keyboard. Tap it to switch between your keyboards. Your system language stays the same, but you can type in any language you've added. This is useful if you speak multiple languages or need to type in a language that isn't your primary one.
Change language for individual apps
Some apps, especially social media and messaging platforms, have their own language settings that override your system language. If an app is still showing in a language you don't want, you can often change it inside the app itself.
Open the app and look for Settings, Preferences, or Account — the exact location varies. Search for "Language" or "Language & Region" within that app's settings. Select your preferred language, and the app will switch. This change only affects that one app, not your whole phone.
If an app doesn't have its own language setting, it will follow whatever language you set in your iPhone's system settings.
What to do if you can't read the language on your screen
If you accidentally changed your iPhone to a language you don't read, you can still change it back by navigating by icon and position. Open Settings (the gear icon), tap the second item in the list (which is General), scroll down, and tap the item that shows a globe icon — that's Language & Region. The first option is iPhone Language. Tap it, find the language you recognize, and select it.
If you're still stuck, you can ask Siri to help. Press and hold the home button (or the side button on newer iPhones) and say "Change language to [language name]." Siri will understand you in English even if your phone is set to another language, and can walk you through the change.
Region changes affect your App Store and payment methods
Changing your region changes which App Store you see and which payment methods are available. If you set your region to a country where you don't have a payment method, you may not be able to buy or read paid apps until you add a payment method for that region.
Some apps are only available in certain regions' App Stores. If you change your region, apps that were available before may disappear from your App Store, and new ones may appear. Your existing apps will keep working, but you won't see them in the store anymore.
If you travel and want to change your region temporarily, remember that you'll need a payment method for that region to buy anything. When you return home, change your region back to see your home App Store again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my language delete my data or apps?
No. Changing your language only changes the text you see — it doesn't affect your photos, messages, contacts, or any apps. Everything stays exactly where it is, just displayed in a different language.
Can I use two languages at the same time on my iPhone?
Your system language can only be one at a time, but you can add multiple keyboards so you can type in different languages. You can also set individual apps to use different languages if they have their own language settings. For system text and menus, you'll need to pick one language.
What happens to my apps when I change the language?
Built-in Apple apps like Mail, Messages, and Calendar will switch to your new language. Third-party apps may or may not follow the change — many apps have their own language setting. If an app doesn't switch, check inside that app's settings for a language option.
Does changing my region affect my iCloud account or backups?
No. Your iCloud account and backups are tied to your Apple ID, not your region setting. You can change your region without affecting your backups or account. However, changing your region does change which App Store you see and which payment methods are available.
Can I set different languages for different users on a shared iPhone?
No. iPhone doesn't support multiple user accounts with separate settings. The language setting applies to the whole phone. If multiple people use the same iPhone, you'll all see the same language.