Change the language in Google Maps settings
Google Maps uses the language setting from your device or browser, but you can override it directly in the app or website. The fastest way is to open Google Maps, go to your account settings, and select a different language from the list. The change takes effect when ready and applies to all menus, street names, and search results.
On a phone, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then tap Settings. Scroll down to Language and choose from the available options. On a computer, click the same profile picture, select Settings, then find Language in the left menu. Both paths show you every language Google Maps supports in your region.
If you do not see the language you want, it may not be available for your location or device type. Some languages are only supported on the web version, not the mobile app, or vice versa. Switching devices or trying the browser version can sometimes reveal additional options.
Key Takeaways
- Google Maps language settings are found in your profile menu under Settings, separate from your device's language.
- Changing the language in Google Maps affects only that app or website, not your phone or computer's system language.
- Mobile apps and web browsers sometimes support different languages, so if your preferred language is missing, try the other version.
- The language change applies to street names, business listings, and navigation instructions when ready after you save it.
- If Google Maps reverts to your device language after an update, you will need to change it again in the Maps settings.
Why Google Maps uses your device language first
When you first open Google Maps, it defaults to whatever language your phone or computer is set to. This is intentional — Google assumes you want to see maps in the language you use for everything else. But if you speak multiple languages or travel frequently, you might want Google Maps in a language different from your system settings.
Changing only Google Maps does not change your device language, so your text messages, email, and other apps stay in their original language. This is useful if you want to navigate in one language but keep the rest of your device in another. The two settings are completely separate.
Steps for Android phones
Open the Google Maps app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. This is usually a small circle with your initial or photo inside it. If you are not signed into a Google account, you will see a Sign in button instead — tap that first and enter your credentials.
From the menu that appears, tap Settings. Scroll down past Navigation settings and Offline maps until you see Language. Tap it to see the full list of languages available in your region. Select the one you want, and the app will switch when ready.
If the language list is short or missing your preferred language, check whether you are signed into the correct Google account. Some languages are only available in certain countries or regions. You can also try clearing the app's cache — go to your phone's Settings, find Apps or process Manager, select Google Maps, and tap Clear Cache. This sometimes reveals additional language options after you restart the app.
Steps for iPhones and iPads
Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap Settings from the menu. On an iPhone, scroll down to find Language — it is usually near the bottom of the settings list, below Notifications and About.
Tap Language and choose from the available options. The change takes effect as soon as you return to the map. If you do not see your preferred language, it may not be supported on iOS, or it may only be available in certain regions. Try the web version of Google Maps in a browser to see if more languages are available there.
Steps on a computer or tablet browser
Go to maps.google.com in any web browser and sign into your Google account if you are not already. Click your profile picture in the top right corner — it is a small circle with your initial or photo. A dropdown menu will appear.
Click Settings. In the left sidebar, click Language. A list of available languages will appear. Click the one you want, and Google Maps will reload in that language within a few seconds. The change persists across all browsers and devices where you are signed into the same Google account, though the mobile app may override it with your device language after an update.
When Google Maps switches back to your device language
After a Google Maps update, the app sometimes resets to your device's system language, erasing your custom choice. This is frustrating but common. If it happens, straightforward go back to Settings and select your preferred language again. Google Maps will remember it until the next major update.
To reduce how often this happens, keep Google Maps updated through your app store. Older versions are more likely to reset language settings. If the problem persists even after updating, try signing out of your Google account in Maps, then signing back in — this sometimes forces the app to sync your language preference correctly.
Languages available and regional limits
Google Maps supports over 100 languages, but not all of them are available everywhere. Your region, your device type, and whether you are using the app or the web version all affect which languages you can choose. For example, some languages may be available on the Android app but not on iPhone, or available on the web but not in the mobile app at all.
If you cannot find a language you expected to see, check the Google Maps help center for your specific region — it lists which languages are currently supported where you are. You can also try the web version if the app does not have what you need. Switching between the app and browser sometimes reveals additional options that are not available in both places.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing Google Maps language affect other Google apps?
No. Google Maps has its own language setting separate from Gmail, Google Search, YouTube, and other Google services. Changing the language in Maps does not change the language in those apps. If you want to change the language across all Google services at once, you can adjust your Google account language in your account settings, but that is a different process from changing Maps alone.
Can I use Google Maps in two languages at the same time?
No, Google Maps only displays in one language at a time. You can switch between languages by going back to Settings, but you cannot split the display. If you need to reference street names or directions in two languages, you would need to open Maps twice — once in each language — on two different devices or browser tabs.
Why does my language choice disappear after I close the app?
This usually means the app did not save your choice properly, often because you were not signed into a Google account when you changed it. Make sure you are signed in before changing the language. If you are signed in and it still does not stick, try clearing the app's cache or reinstalling it. Language settings sync through your Google account, so signing out and back in sometimes fixes the problem.
Is the language setting different on the web version and the mobile app?
Yes, they are separate. You can set Google Maps to one language on your phone and a different language on your computer. If you are signed into the same Google account on both, the web version usually remembers your choice, but the mobile app may override it with your device language. Check both places if you are not seeing the language you set.
What if my language is not in the list?
Google Maps does not support every language. If yours is missing, you can request it through the Google Maps help center, but there is no may provide it will be added. In the meantime, try switching to a related language or using the web version, which sometimes has different language options than the app. You can also check back periodically — Google adds new languages over time.