Change your language in Google Maps settings
Google Maps uses the language setting from your device or browser, not a separate setting inside the app itself. To change the language Maps displays, you adjust your phone's or computer's system language — then Maps switches automatically. On some devices you can also change it through your Google Account settings, which overrides your device language just for Google services.
The fastest route depends on what you use: if you want Maps in a different language but keep everything else on your device the same, use your Google Account. If you want your whole device in another language, change your system settings.
Key Takeaways
- Google Maps does not have its own language menu — it reads your device or Google Account language setting.
- On Android, go to Settings > System > Languages and input > Languages, then add or move your preferred language to the top.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Language & Region and choose your language.
- On a computer, sign into your Google Account, go to myaccount.google.com, select Language, and pick a new one.
- Your Google Account language overrides your device language for all Google apps, including Maps.
Change language on Android phones
Open Settings on your Android phone. Scroll down and tap System (on some phones this is called Device or About phone). Tap Languages and input, then Languages.
You will see a list of languages already on your phone, with your current language at the top. To switch to a different language that is already installed, press and hold it, then drag it to the top. Google Maps will switch to that language the next time you open it.
If the language you want is not in the list, tap Add a language at the bottom. Search for the language name, tap it, and then drag it to the top of the list. Your phone will read the language pack, which takes a few seconds on most connections.
Change language on iPhones
Open Settings on your iPhone. Tap General, then Language & Region. Tap iPhone Language at the top.
A list of available languages appears. Tap the one you want. Your phone will ask you to confirm — tap Change to [Language]. Your iPhone will restart briefly, and Google Maps will open in your new language the next time you launch it.
Change language on Windows or Mac computers
Open Google Maps in your web browser and sign into your Google Account if you are not already signed in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then click Settings.
In the left menu, click Language. A list of languages appears. Click the one you want, then click Select. Google Maps will reload in your new language within a few seconds.
If you want to change the language for all Google services on your computer (not just Maps), you can also go to myaccount.google.com, click Language in the left menu, and choose a new one there. This change applies to Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, and other Google apps.
Change language through your Google Account
If you use the same Google Account across multiple devices, you can set a language preference in your account that overrides your device language for Google apps only. This is useful if you want your phone in English but Google Maps in Spanish, for example.
Go to myaccount.google.com on any device. Click Language in the left menu under Personal info. Select your preferred language and click Select. The next time you open Google Maps on any device where you are signed into that account, it will use this language — even if your device is set to a different one.
What to do if Maps is still in the wrong language
If you changed your language setting but Maps has not switched, close the app completely and reopen it. On Android, swipe up from the bottom of your screen and swipe Maps away. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom and swipe the Maps preview away. Then open Maps again.
If Maps is still in the old language, restart your device. Power it off completely, wait a few seconds, then power it back on. This clears the app cache and forces Google services to reload your new language setting.
If you are using a web browser on a computer, try clearing your browser cache. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac), select All time, check Cookies and other site data, then click Clear data. Reload Google Maps in a new tab.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the language just for Google Maps without changing my whole phone?
Not directly in the Maps app, but you can use your Google Account language setting to override your device language for Google services only. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Language, choose your preferred language, and click Select. Maps will use that language while the rest of your phone stays in its original language.
What if my language is not in the list?
Google Maps supports over 100 languages. If yours is not showing, it may be listed under a regional variant — for example, Portuguese (Brazil) instead of Portuguese, or Spanish (Mexico) instead of Spanish. Search for your country name or region along with the language name. If it still does not appear, your language may not be supported yet.
Will changing my phone language affect other apps?
Yes. When you change your device language, all apps on your phone switch to that language, not just Google Maps. If you only want to change Maps, use your Google Account language setting instead, which applies only to Google services.
Does Google Maps work in all languages?
Google Maps works in most major languages, but some features may have limited support in less common languages. Street View, voice navigation, and real-time traffic information are available in most languages, but some regions may have fewer translated labels or directions.
How do I change the language of voice directions in Google Maps?
Voice directions use your device language setting. Change your device language using the steps above, and voice navigation will switch to that language the next time you start navigation. You can also tap the speaker icon during navigation to choose a different voice or accent if multiple options are available.