Change your Google language in three steps
Google shows you results and menus in whatever language you set in your account settings. The language you choose affects your Google Search results, Gmail inbox, Google Maps, and most other Google services. You can change it anytime, and the change takes effect when ready across all your devices.
The fastest way is to go to your Google Account settings, find the Language section, pick a new language from the dropdown, and save. If you are signed out of Google or using a shared device, you can also change the language just for that session using the language selector at the bottom of the Google Search homepage — but this change only lasts until you close your browser.
Key Takeaways
- Changing your language in Google Account settings affects all Google services on all your devices where you are signed in.
- You can temporarily change the language for a single session by clicking the language link at the bottom of the Google Search homepage without signing in.
- The language setting controls the language of menus, buttons, and search results — not the language of the websites you visit.
- If you use multiple languages, you can set a preferred language and add secondary languages to see results in both.
Change language in your Google Account settings
Sign in to your Google Account at myaccount.google.com. On the left side, click Personal information. Scroll down until you see Language — it will show your current language code, like "en" for English or "es" for Spanish.
Click on the language row. A dropdown menu will open showing all available languages. Find the language you want and click it. Google will save your choice when ready. Refresh your browser or go to Google Search to see the change take effect.
This change applies to your account everywhere you sign in. If you use Google on your phone, tablet, and computer, all of them will show the new language the next time you open a Google service.
Change language for a single session without signing in
If you are using a shared computer or do not want to sign in, you can change the language just for that browsing session. Go to google.com and scroll to the very bottom of the page. On the left side, you will see a language code like "English" or "Español".
Click that language link. A page will open showing all available languages. Click the one you want. Google will switch to that language for the rest of your session. When you close your browser completely, the language will revert to the default for that device.
This method does not change your account settings and does not affect other devices. It is useful if you need to search in a different language once without permanently changing your account.
Change language on the Google mobile app
On an Android phone or tablet, open the Google app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap Settings, then Language and region. Tap Language and choose from the list. The change takes effect when ready.
On an iPhone or iPad, open the Google app, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right, then tap Settings. Tap Language and region, then Language, and select your choice. Like the desktop version, this change applies to your account across all devices.
Understand the difference between language and region
Google has two separate settings: Language and Region. Language controls what language the Google interface appears in — the menus, buttons, and labels. Region controls which country's version of Google Search you use, which affects local results, news, and sometimes which websites appear first.
You can set your language to Spanish and your region to the United States, for example. You will see Spanish menus but get search results tailored to the US. Or you can set language to English and region to Mexico. The two settings work independently, so change whichever one you need.
To change your region, go to the same Personal information page in your Google Account, find Region, and click it. Choose your country or region from the dropdown.
Add multiple languages to your account
If you use Google in more than one language regularly, you can add secondary languages so Google shows you results in both. In your Google Account settings, go to Personal information and find Languages (note the plural). Click Add a language.
Choose the language you want to add. Google will now show you search results in both your primary language and your secondary language. You can add up to three languages total. If you want to change which one is primary, click the three dots next to any language and select Make primary.
Troubleshoot if the language did not change
If you changed your language setting but Google still shows the old language, clear your browser cache. In Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac). Select All time and check Cookies and other site data. Click Clear data. Then sign back into your Google Account.
If you are using a shared device and someone else has set a different language, that person's setting may override yours when they sign in. Each person with their own Google Account will see their own language choice when they sign in. If you are seeing someone else's language, make sure you are signed into your own account, not theirs.
On mobile, if the language did not change, try signing out of the Google app completely and signing back in. Go to your profile picture, tap Manage your Google Account, then Sign out. Open the app again and sign back in. This forces the app to reload your account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my Google language change the language of websites I visit?
No. Changing your Google language only changes the language of Google's interface — the menus, buttons, and search results summaries. The websites themselves appear in whatever language they were built in. If a website offers multiple languages, you change that on the website itself, not in Google.
Can I set different languages for different Google services?
No. Your language setting applies to all Google services at once — Gmail, Maps, Search, Drive, and everything else. You cannot set Gmail to Spanish and Search to English using your account settings. If you need different languages for different services, you would need separate Google Accounts.
What happens to my search history if I change languages?
Your search history stays the same. Changing the language does not delete or hide any searches you have done. The searches themselves remain in your history, but the Google interface that shows them will be in your new language.
Can I change the language just for Gmail without changing it for Google Search?
Not through the main settings. Your language choice applies to your whole account. However, Gmail has its own language selector in the bottom left of the inbox — click Settings, then Language — but this is temporary and resets when you sign out. For a permanent separate setting, you would need a second Google Account.
Why does Google Search show results in a different language than I set?
Google sometimes shows results in your region's default language instead of your chosen language, especially if you search for local topics. Check your Region setting in Personal information — if it is set to a country where a different language is spoken, Google may prioritize that. You can also add your preferred language as a secondary language to see more results in it.