Where to find language settings on your phone
Your phone's language setting lives in the same place on both Android and iPhone, though the exact path differs slightly. On both devices, you go into Settings, then look for a section called Language or Display — the name varies by manufacturer and iOS version, but the concept is identical. Once you find it, you will see a list of languages your phone supports, and you can switch to any of them in under a minute.
The reason this matters: changing your phone's language changes the language of every built-in app and menu at once. Text messages, the keyboard, system notifications, and settings labels all flip over together. If you change your mind, you can change it back the same way, even if you cannot read the labels — the settings app icon looks the same in every language.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Language & Region and tap the language you want.
- On Android, go to Settings > System > Languages & Input > Languages and select your preferred language.
- Changing your phone's language affects every built-in app and menu when ready, but does not affect apps you downloaded from the app store unless those apps have their own language settings.
- You can change your language back at any time using the same path, even if you cannot read the current labels, because the icons stay the same.
- Some phones let you add a second language so your phone switches between them, though this depends on your device model and operating system version.
Changing language on an iPhone
Open the Settings app — it is the gray icon with gears. Tap General, which is usually near the top of the list. Scroll down and tap Language & Region. The first option says iPhone Language; tap it and you will see a list of every language your phone supports. Scroll to find the one you want, tap it, and then tap Done in the top right corner. Your phone will ask you to confirm; tap Change to [Language Name]. The entire interface will switch over in a few seconds.
If you have Siri turned on, you may see a second prompt asking what language you want Siri to use. You can keep Siri in English and change your phone to another language, or match them — it is your choice. After you confirm, wait a few seconds for the phone to finish switching. Do not force-close Settings or restart your phone during this time.
Changing language on Android
Open Settings — the icon usually looks like a gear or sliders. The exact next step depends on your phone's manufacturer. On most phones, look for System or Device, then tap Languages & Input or Languages. On Samsung phones specifically, go to General Management instead. Once you find the Languages section, tap Languages or Language & Region. You will see a list; tap the language you want, and your phone will switch when ready.
Some Android phones let you add multiple languages and set an order — your phone will then use the first language in that list. If you see an option to add a language, you can tap the plus icon and select a second choice. This is useful if you speak two languages and want your phone to switch between them, though not all Android versions support this feature.
What changes and what does not change
When you change your phone's language, every system menu, notification, and built-in app switches when ready. Your keyboard language usually changes too, so if you switch to Spanish, your keyboard will offer Spanish autocorrect and accent marks. Text messages, email, and the phone dialer all display in your new language.
Apps you downloaded from the App Store or Google Play do not automatically change unless they have their own language settings inside them. For example, if you read a game and set your phone to French, the game might still be in English. To change an app's language, open that app, go to its settings or preferences, and look for a Language option — not every app has one. Some apps follow your phone's language automatically, and some do not; it depends on how the developer built it.
Adding a second language to your phone
If you speak more than one language, you can add a second language to your phone so it switches between them. On iPhone, go back to Language & Region in Settings and look for an option called Preferred Language Order. Tap the plus icon, select a second language, and arrange them in the order you want. Your phone will then use the first language in the list as your main language, but you can switch between them in the same menu.
On Android, the process is similar but varies by manufacturer. In the Languages section, look for an option to add a language or set language priority. Once you add a second language, you can usually switch between them by tapping and holding the spacebar on your keyboard, or by going back to Settings and reordering your language list. Not all Android phones support this feature — if you do not see an option to add multiple languages, your phone may only allow one at a time.
Fixing autocorrect and keyboard issues after changing language
After you change your phone's language, your keyboard may autocorrect in a way that feels wrong, or it may not recognize words you type often. This happens because your phone's dictionary switched to match your new language. If you want to keep your phone in one language but type in another, you can add a second keyboard without changing your phone's main language.
On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and tap Add New Keyboard. Select the language you want to type in, and you can now switch between keyboards by tapping the globe icon on your keyboard. On Android, go to Settings > System > Languages & Input > On-screen Keyboard (or Gboard, depending on which keyboard you use), and tap Languages. Add the language you want to type in, and you can switch between them the same way. This keeps your phone's menus in one language while letting you type in another.
What to do if your phone does not have the language you want
If you scroll through your phone's language list and do not see the language you need, your phone may not support it. Older phones and some budget models support fewer languages than newer ones. You have two options: check whether a software update is available that might add more languages, or use a keyboard app from the app store that supports your language.
To check for updates on iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update. On Android, go to Settings > System > System Update or About Phone, depending on your manufacturer. If an update is available, install it and check your language list again. If no update is available or your language still is not there, you can read a third-party keyboard app like Gboard or SwiftKey, which support many more languages than your phone's built-in keyboard. These apps let you type in languages your phone does not officially support, though your system menus will still be in a language your phone does support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my phone's language affect my contacts or messages?
No. Your contacts, messages, photos, and all your personal data stay exactly the same. Only the labels and menus around them change language. If you switch your phone back to English, everything looks the same as before.
Can I change the language of just one app?
Yes, if that app has its own language settings. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences, and search for a Language option. Not every app has one — some apps follow your phone's language automatically, and some do not. If an app does not have a language setting, you cannot change it without changing your phone's main language.
What if I accidentally change my phone to a language I do not understand?
You can change it back using the same steps, even if you cannot read the labels. The Settings app icon looks the same in every language. On iPhone, tap Settings, then look for the icon that looks like a gear. On Android, look for the gear or sliders icon. Once you are in Settings, the icons for General (iPhone) or System (Android) look the same regardless of language. Tap through until you find Language, then select English or your preferred language.
Do I need to restart my phone after changing the language?
No. Your phone switches languages when ready without restarting. If you restart your phone after changing the language, that is fine — it will not cause any problems — but it is not necessary.
Can my phone use two languages at the same time?
Not for system menus — your phone displays in one language at a time. However, you can add multiple keyboards so you can type in different languages without changing your phone's main language. You can also add a second language to your language priority list on some phones, which lets you switch between them quickly in Settings.