Change Your Tablet's Display Language in Settings
To change the language on your Samsung tablet, open Settings, tap General management, then select Language and input. Tap Languages at the top, then choose the language you want from the list. Your tablet will switch when ready — menus, apps, and system text will all display in your chosen language.
The process takes about 30 seconds and works the same way on most Samsung tablets running Android 9 or later. If you don't see General management in your Settings menu, scroll down — it may be further down the list depending on your tablet model and Android version.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, tap General management, then Language and input to find your language options.
- The first language in the Languages list is your primary display language — tap it to see all available languages.
- Changing the language affects system menus, notifications, and most built-in apps when ready.
- Some third-party apps may not switch languages and will stay in their original language until you change them individually.
- You can add multiple languages to your keyboard input without changing your display language.
Step-by-Step: Finding and Selecting a New Language
Start by swiping down from the top of your screen twice to open the full notification panel, then tap the gear icon for Settings. If you don't see the gear icon, look for it in your app drawer instead.
Once Settings opens, scroll down and tap General management — it's usually in the middle section of the menu. Next, tap Language and input. At the top of this screen, you'll see Languages with your current language listed below it. Tap Languages to open the full list.
Scroll through the list to find your language. The list is alphabetical by language name in English, so Spanish appears as "Spanish," not "Español." Tap your chosen language once, and your tablet will restart the display when ready. You may see a brief loading screen, then your entire interface will appear in the new language.
What Happens When You Change the Language
Your system language change affects almost everything on your tablet. The Settings menu, notification text, system buttons, and the keyboard all switch to your new language. Built-in Samsung apps like Calendar, Clock, and Messages will display in your chosen language right away.
Third-party apps — like YouTube, Gmail, or games you've downloaded — may or may not switch languages. Many popular apps detect your system language and change automatically, but some stay in English or whatever language they were originally set to. If an app doesn't switch, you can usually change its language inside the app's own settings menu.
Your files, photos, and documents don't change at all. Only the words and labels around them change.
Adding Extra Languages to Your Keyboard
If you want to type in multiple languages without changing your display language, you can add extra keyboard languages instead. Go back to Language and input and tap On-screen keyboard or Samsung Keyboard (depending on which keyboard you use). Tap Languages and types, then tap the plus icon or Add language.
Select the languages you want to type in. Once you've added them, you can switch between keyboard languages by tapping the globe icon on your keyboard while you're typing. Your display language stays the same — only your typing switches.
Switching Back to Your Original Language
If you change your language and then realize you chose the wrong one, the process to switch back is identical. Open Settings, go to General management, then Language and input, then Languages. Find your original language in the list and tap it. Your tablet will switch back when ready.
If you can't read the menu labels because you don't recognize the language, look for the gear icon in Settings (it looks the same in every language), then count down: the second option is usually General management, and the third or fourth option is usually Language and input. Tap the top option under Language and input, and you'll see the language list.
Troubleshooting: Language Won't Change or Keeps Reverting
If you tap a language and nothing happens, your tablet may be processing the change. Wait 10 to 15 seconds and check whether the menu text has changed. If the language still hasn't switched after a minute, restart your tablet by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then tap Restart.
If your language keeps switching back to English or another language on its own, check whether you have a Samsung account signed in. Some tablets sync language settings across devices if you're logged into a Samsung account. Go to Settings, tap Accounts and backup, then Accounts, find your Samsung account, and tap it. Look for a language or sync setting and turn it off if you want your tablet's language to stay independent.
If you've tried restarting and the language still won't change, your tablet may need a software update. Go to Settings, tap About tablet, then Software update, and tap read and install if an update is available. After the update finishes, try changing the language again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the language affect my apps or files?
Your files, photos, and documents stay exactly the same. System menus and built-in Samsung apps will switch languages, but third-party apps like Gmail or YouTube may not unless they're designed to follow your system language. You can change individual app languages in each app's settings if needed.
Can I have two languages on my tablet at the same time?
Your display language can only be one at a time, but you can add multiple keyboard languages so you can type in different languages without changing your system language. Tap Language and input, then On-screen keyboard, then Languages and types to add extra typing languages.
What if I don't see my language in the list?
Samsung tablets support over 100 languages, but not every language variant is available. If you don't see your exact language, look for a similar one — for example, if you want Brazilian Portuguese, you may find "Portuguese (Brazil)" listed separately from "Portuguese." Scroll through the entire list before assuming your language isn't there.
Does changing the language use data or require WiFi?
No. Changing your display language happens entirely on your tablet and doesn't use any data or internet connection. The language files are already stored on your device.
Can I change the language for just one app instead of the whole tablet?
Yes. Open the app, go to its settings or preferences menu, and look for a language option. Not every app has this option, but most major apps like YouTube, Gmail, and Microsoft Office do. The steps vary by app, so look in the app's help section if you can't find the language setting.