Where to find the language setting on your iPhone
The language setting lives in the Settings app, not in a language menu. Open Settings, tap General, then tap Language & Region. The first option, iPhone Language, shows what language your entire phone uses — menus, buttons, notifications, everything. Tap it to see the list of languages your phone supports.
The list is long. Scroll to find the language you want, tap it, and confirm when iOS asks if you want to change the language. Your phone will restart briefly and come back in the new language. This usually takes less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings, then General, then Language & Region to change your iPhone's system language.
- Changing iPhone Language switches every menu, button, and notification on your phone to that language.
- Your phone will restart when you confirm the change, but this takes only a few seconds.
- If you speak multiple languages, you can add a second keyboard language without changing the whole system language.
- Apps may not switch languages automatically — some follow your iPhone's language, others have their own language settings inside the app.
The difference between system language and keyboard language
Changing your iPhone Language affects the operating system — iOS itself. Everything Apple controls switches over. But third-party apps like Facebook, Gmail, or Spotify may not follow that change. Some apps detect your iPhone's language and switch automatically. Others ignore it and stay in English, or use whatever language you set inside the app itself.
If you want to type in a different language without changing your whole phone, add a keyboard instead. Go to Settings, General, Keyboard, Keyboards, then Add New Keyboard. Pick the language you want to type in. Now when you open any text field, you can swipe left on the space bar to switch between keyboards. Your phone stays in English, but you can type in Spanish, French, Mandarin, or dozens of other languages.
What happens to your apps when you change languages
Apple's built-in apps — Mail, Messages, Calendar, Maps, Weather — all switch to your new language when ready. Third-party apps are unpredictable. Some, like WhatsApp or Instagram, follow your system language. Others, like Netflix or Duolingo, have their own language setting buried in their preferences and ignore your iPhone's language entirely.
If an app stays in English after you change your iPhone's language, open the app, find its settings (usually a gear icon or three horizontal lines), and look for a Language option. If the app has no language setting, it may not support your language at all, or it may only work in English.
Changing language for specific regions
Language & Region also lets you set your region separately from your language. You might want your iPhone in English but your region set to Spain, which changes how dates, times, and currency display. Tap Region to pick a different country or area. This does not change your language — only how numbers and dates format.
Some apps and services use your region to decide what content to show you. Changing your region may affect which apps are available in the App Store, which payment methods you can use, and which version of a service you see. Change it only if you have a specific reason.
If your iPhone is in a language you don't understand
If someone handed you an iPhone in a language you cannot read, you can still change it. Open Settings — it is the gear icon, usually on your home screen. Tap the second option from the top (General, shown as a gear icon). Tap the third option down (Language & Region). Tap the first option (iPhone Language). Scroll to find English or your language, tap it, and confirm.
If you cannot find Settings, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center, then swipe up from the bottom to see your apps. Look for the gear icon. If the phone is locked, you may need to restart it first by holding the power button and volume button together until you see a slider, then drag it to power off.
Restarting your iPhone after a language change
When you confirm a new language, iOS restarts automatically. You do not need to do anything — just wait. The restart takes 30 seconds to a minute. Your phone will show the Apple logo, then go dark, then come back with your home screen in the new language.
If your phone seems stuck on the Apple logo for more than two minutes, hold the power button and volume button together until you see the power-off slider. Drag it to turn off the phone, wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again to turn it back on. This forces a restart and usually fixes the problem.
Changing language back if you made a mistake
If you picked the wrong language and now cannot read your phone, the process is the same. Settings is always the gear icon. General is always the second option. Language & Region is always the third option. Tap iPhone Language, find your correct language by scrolling, tap it, and confirm. You do not need to know how to read the language to do this — you just need to recognize the flag or the shape of the word.
If you are completely lost, you can also restore your iPhone from a backup using a computer or iCloud. But changing the language back is faster. If you still cannot find it, ask someone who speaks the language your phone is in, or contact Apple Support with your phone in front of you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my iPhone language delete my photos or messages?
No. Changing the language only changes the words on your screen. All your photos, messages, contacts, and data stay exactly as they are. The change is when ready and completely reversible.
Can I have my iPhone in one language and my Apple Watch in another?
Your Apple Watch follows your iPhone's language by default, but you can change it separately. On your iPhone, open the Watch app, go to General, then Language, and pick a different language. Your watch will update the next time it syncs with your phone.
Why did my apps stay in English after I changed my iPhone language?
Some apps have their own language setting that overrides your iPhone's language. Open the app, find Settings or Preferences, and look for a Language option. If the app has no language setting, it may only be available in English.
Does changing my region affect which apps I can read?
Yes. Changing your region can change which apps appear in the App Store and which payment methods you can use. Only change your region if you have a specific reason, like moving to a new country. You can change it back anytime.
What if my iPhone is in a language I don't recognize?
You can still change it using the gear icon (Settings), even if you cannot read the words. Settings is always the second option, General is the third option, and Language & Region is the fourth. Scroll through the language list until you find one you recognize, tap it, and confirm.