Change your Facebook language in three steps
Facebook displays in the language you set in your account settings. To change it, open Facebook on a computer or phone, go to Settings and Privacy, select Settings, then find the Language section and pick a new language from the list. The change takes effect when ready across your entire account.
You can switch languages as often as you want — there is no limit. If you set Facebook to a language you do not read well, you can always change it back the same way. The process takes less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook language settings are in Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to Language.
- You can change your language on a phone or computer using the same menu path.
- The language change affects all of Facebook — your feed, messages, buttons, and menus — but not the content other people post.
- If you accidentally set Facebook to a language you cannot read, you can still find Settings by looking for the menu icon and tapping through the same path.
How to change language on a computer
Open Facebook in your web browser and log in. Look for the downward-pointing arrow or three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the top right corner of the page. Click it.
From the menu that appears, click Settings and Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side of the screen, scroll down until you see Language. Click on it. A list of languages appears — click the one you want. Facebook refreshes and displays in your new language when ready.
How to change language on an iPhone or Android phone
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to find Language and tap it. Select your language from the list that appears.
On some Android phones, the menu icon may appear at the bottom center instead of the bottom right. The path through Settings remains the same. After you select a language, close and reopen the app to see the change take full effect.
What happens when you change your language
Changing your language affects only how Facebook displays to you — the buttons, menus, notifications, and labels all switch to your chosen language. Posts and messages that other people wrote stay in whatever language they wrote them in. If someone posts in Spanish and you set Facebook to English, you still see their Spanish post.
Your language choice does not affect what other people see when they visit your profile. They see Facebook in whatever language they have set on their own account. You can also change your language back at any time without losing any of your account information, photos, or messages.
If you set Facebook to the wrong language by mistake
If you cannot read the language Facebook is now showing, you can still reach the language setting. Look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines or a downward arrow) in the top right corner on a computer, or at the bottom of the screen on a phone. Tap or click it, then look for the gear icon or the word that looks like "Settings" — it is usually near the bottom of the menu. Tap or click through to Settings.
Once in Settings, scroll until you find a word that looks like it might mean "language" — it is often one of the first options. Tap or click it and choose a language you recognize. If you are stuck, Facebook's help center has screenshots in multiple languages showing exactly where the Language option sits.
Changing language for Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger uses the same language setting as your main Facebook account. When you change the language in your Facebook Settings, Messenger changes automatically. You do not need to adjust Messenger separately.
If Messenger is still showing in a different language after you change your Facebook language, close the Messenger app completely and reopen it. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to show the new language.
Languages Facebook supports
Facebook offers more than 100 languages, including major languages like Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Hindi, and Portuguese. It also includes many regional and less widely spoken languages. When you click on the Language option, you see the full list available in your region.
If you do not see your language in the list, Facebook may not yet support it, or it may be listed under a different name than you expect. Some languages have regional variations — for example, Portuguese (Brazil) and Portuguese (Portugal) are separate options. Check the full list carefully before assuming your language is not there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my Facebook language affect my friends' experience?
No. Your language setting changes only what you see on your screen. Your friends see Facebook in whatever language they have set on their own accounts. Your posts, messages, and profile appear the same to them regardless of what language you use.
Can I set different languages for Facebook and Messenger?
No. Messenger uses your Facebook account's language setting automatically. Both apps display in the same language. If you need Messenger in a different language, you would need to change your main Facebook language setting.
What if Facebook does not have the language I want?
Facebook supports over 100 languages, but not every language is available. If yours is not listed, you can request it through Facebook's help center. In the meantime, choose the closest related language or a widely spoken language you read well.
Will changing my language delete my messages or photos?
No. Changing your language setting does not affect any of your account data. Your messages, photos, friends list, and all other information stay exactly as they are. The change only affects how the menus and buttons display to you.
Can I change my language on Facebook's mobile website instead of the app?
Yes. If you use Facebook through a mobile web browser instead of the app, follow the same steps as a computer: tap the menu icon, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Language. The process is identical.