Change the system language through Settings
The fastest way to change your tablet's language is through the Settings app. Open Settings, scroll down to find General management, then tap Language and input. At the top, you'll see Languages — tap it to see all available languages on your device. Select the language you want, and your tablet will switch when ready. The entire interface, menus, and built-in apps will now display in that language.
If you don't see the language you want in the list, your tablet may not have it installed. You can read additional languages by tapping the plus icon or Add language button at the bottom of the Languages screen. Your tablet will read the language pack, which usually takes less than a minute on a stable connection.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, go to General management, then Language and input, then Languages to switch your tablet's system language in seconds.
- If your language isn't listed, you can read it by tapping the plus icon at the bottom of the Languages screen.
- Changing the system language affects all menus, settings, and Samsung's built-in apps, but not third-party apps unless they support that language.
- You can set a second language as a backup, and your tablet will use both for spell-check and predictive text.
What happens to third-party apps when you change the language
When you change your tablet's system language, apps you downloaded from the Google Play Store will only switch languages if the app developer built that support in. For example, if you change to Spanish, Gmail and Chrome will display in Spanish, but a game or utility app may stay in English if the developer didn't translate it.
You can change the language for individual apps separately. Open Settings, tap Apps, find the app you want to change, tap Permissions, then look for a language or localization setting within that app's own preferences. Not all apps have this option — it depends on what the developer included.
Add a second language for typing and spell-check
If you use two languages regularly, you can add a second language to your keyboard without changing your entire system. Go to Settings, then General management, then Language and input, then On-screen keyboard (or Samsung Keyboard). Tap Languages and types, then select Manage input languages. Check the box next to any language you want available while typing.
Once you've added a second language, a language switcher button will appear on your keyboard. Tap it to flip between languages as you type. Your tablet will also use both languages for spell-check and word suggestions, so you won't see red underlines for words in either language.
Reset your tablet to English if you can't read the current language
If you accidentally switched to a language you don't read, you can still change it back without understanding the menus. Open Settings by tapping the gear icon (it looks the same in every language). Scroll down until you see a section with a wrench or tools icon — that's General management. Tap it, then look for the icon or text that looks like "A" or letters — that's Language and input. The first option in that menu is always Languages. Tap it and select English or your preferred language from the list.
If you still can't navigate, you can also reset your tablet to factory settings, which will restore English as the default language. This erases all your data, so use it only as a last resort. Go to Settings, scroll to the bottom, find General management, tap Reset, then Factory data reset. Your tablet will restart in English.
Change the keyboard language separately from the system language
You don't have to change your entire system language just to type in a different language. Go to Settings, then General management, then Language and input, then On-screen keyboard. Select Samsung Keyboard (or whichever keyboard you use), then Languages and types. You can add any language here without touching your system settings.
This is useful if you live in an English-speaking country but need to type in another language for work or family. Your menus stay in English, but your keyboard can switch to any language you add. The language switcher button appears automatically on your keyboard once you've added a second language.
Troubleshoot if your language won't read or switch
If you try to read a language and it fails, check that your tablet has a stable internet connection — language packs are usually 50 to 200 megabytes and need a few minutes to read. If the read keeps failing, restart your tablet and try again. Go to Settings, then General management, then Language and input, then Languages, and tap the plus icon to retry.
If a language is listed but won't switch when you select it, restart your tablet. Sometimes the system needs to reload to explore the change fully. If the problem persists, go back to Languages, remove the language by holding your finger on it and tapping Remove, then read it again from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the language affect my files or photos?
No. Changing the system language only changes the words in menus and apps. Your photos, documents, videos, and all your personal files stay exactly as they are. File names and content are not affected.
Can I use two languages at the same time?
Your system displays in one language at a time, but you can add multiple languages to your keyboard and switch between them while typing. You can also add a second system language and switch between them in Settings whenever you want — it takes about five seconds.
What if my language isn't in the list?
Samsung tablets support most major languages, but not every dialect or regional variant. If your language isn't listed, try looking for a similar language or a broader category — for example, "Spanish" instead of "Spanish (Mexico)". If it's truly not available, you may need to use English or the closest alternative.
Do I need to restart my tablet after changing the language?
Usually not — the change happens when ready. However, if you notice some apps or menus are still in the old language after a few seconds, restart your tablet to force everything to reload in the new language.