Change your Minecraft language in the launcher or in-game settings

Minecraft lets you switch languages through two routes: the launcher (before you start the game) or the settings menu once you are playing. The launcher method is faster if you want to change the language before loading a world. The in-game method works if you are already playing and want to switch without closing everything down.

Both methods reach the same language list — over 100 languages including Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Polish, and many others. Minecraft updates this list regularly, so less common languages may appear or disappear depending on the version you are running.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Minecraft launcher, click the three horizontal lines (menu icon), select Settings, then Language, and pick your language from the dropdown.
  • If you are already in a game, press Esc, click Options, then Language, and select from the same list without restarting.
  • The change takes effect when ready in the launcher; in-game changes explore the next time you load a world or restart the game.
  • Your language choice syncs across all worlds and servers on that account, so you only need to change it once.

Changing language in the Minecraft launcher

Start by opening the Minecraft launcher on your computer. On the main screen, look for three horizontal lines (sometimes called a hamburger menu) in the top left corner. Click it to open the menu.

Select Settings from the menu. On the Settings page, scroll down until you see Language. Click the dropdown box next to it and choose your language from the list. The launcher will show the language name in its own language — for example, "Español" for Spanish, "Français" for French, "Deutsch" for German.

Once you select a language, the launcher interface changes when ready. You do not need to restart the launcher. When you launch the game from here, Minecraft will open in your chosen language.

Changing language while playing

If you are already in a game world or on a server, you can switch languages without closing Minecraft. Press the Esc key on your keyboard to open the pause menu.

Click Options (on Java Edition) or Settings (on Bedrock Edition). Then select Language from the list. A dropdown will appear with all available languages. Click the one you want.

The change takes effect the next time you load a world or rejoin a server. If you are in the middle of playing, you may need to exit to the main menu and re-enter your world to see the language switch fully applied to all menus and text.

Where the language setting applies

Your language choice affects the entire Minecraft interface: menus, item names, block descriptions, chat, and all text that Minecraft itself displays. It does not change text that other players type to you in chat, and it does not change the names of custom maps or servers (those are set by whoever created them).

If you play on multiple accounts on the same computer, each account can have its own language setting. The language you choose for one account does not affect the others.

What to do if your language is not in the list

Minecraft supports a very large number of languages, but not every language in the world is available. If you do not see your language in the dropdown, check whether a regional variant exists — for example, Portuguese (Brazil) and Portuguese (Portugal) are listed separately, as are Chinese (Simplified) and Chinese (Traditional).

If your language truly is not available, Minecraft will display in English by default. You can request language support through the official Minecraft feedback site, though there is no may provide when or whether a new language will be added.

Changing language on different Minecraft editions

Minecraft Java Edition (the original version for PC) and Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the newer cross-platform version) both have language settings, but the path to reach them is slightly different. Java Edition uses the Options menu; Bedrock Edition uses Settings. Both reach the same language list, so the language you choose will be the same either way.

If you own both editions on the same computer, they have separate language settings. Changing the language in Java Edition does not change it in Bedrock Edition, and vice versa. You will need to change each one separately if you want them both in the same language.

Troubleshooting language changes that do not stick

If you change the language but it reverts to English the next time you launch Minecraft, the launcher may not have saved your choice. This sometimes happens if you close the launcher when ready after changing the language without waiting a few seconds. Try changing the language again, wait 10 seconds, then close the launcher normally instead of force-closing it.

If the problem continues, check that you have write permission to the Minecraft folder on your computer. On Windows, right-click the Minecraft folder, select Properties, then the Security tab, and make sure your user account has Full Control. On Mac, open System Preferences, Security & Privacy, and check that the Minecraft process has permission to access your files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing the language affect my worlds or progress?

No. Your worlds, inventory, achievements, and all progress remain exactly the same. The language setting only changes the text that Minecraft displays to you — it does not touch any of your game data.

Can I play with friends if we have different languages set?

Yes. Each player can set their own language independently. When you play together on a server or in a shared world, you each see the interface in your own language, but you can still see and read each other's chat messages.

Does changing the language in Minecraft affect my Windows or Mac language settings?

No. Minecraft's language setting is separate from your computer's language. You can play Minecraft in Spanish while your computer is set to English, or any other combination.

What happens if I update Minecraft after changing the language?

Your language choice is saved and will remain after an update. Minecraft remembers your language setting even when you install a new version.