Switch your keyboard language in System Settings

Open System Settings and go to Keyboard. Click the Text Input tab on the right side. You will see a list of languages already added to your Mac. To add a new language, click the + button at the bottom left, find the language you want, and click Add.

Once you have added a language, you can switch between them using the Input menu in your menu bar (the flag or letters icon at the top right of your screen). Click it and select the language you want to use. Your keyboard will when ready switch to that layout.

If you do not see the Input menu in your menu bar, go back to Keyboard > Text Input and check the box next to Show Input menu in menu bar. This makes switching languages much faster when you are typing.

Key Takeaways

  • Add a new keyboard language by opening System Settings, going to Keyboard > Text Input, clicking the + button, and selecting your language.
  • Switch between languages using the Input menu icon in your menu bar at the top right of your screen.
  • Enable the Input menu in your menu bar by checking the box in Keyboard > Text Input settings so you can see which language is active.
  • You can add as many languages as you need, and switching between them takes one click.

Use keyboard shortcuts to switch languages faster

If you switch languages often, you can set up a keyboard shortcut instead of using the menu. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts (the tab on the left). Click Input Sources in the left sidebar.

You will see two options: Select the previous input source and Select next input source. Click in the field next to either one and press the keys you want to use. Many people use Control + Space or Control + Option + Space. Once you set it, you can switch languages without touching your mouse.

Check which keyboard layout you are using

When you add a language, your Mac assigns it a keyboard layout—the physical arrangement of keys. For example, English uses QWERTY, while French uses AZERTY. The layout changes where each key types, so knowing which one is active matters if you are typing in a language that uses a different alphabet or accent marks.

Look at the Input menu icon in your menu bar. It shows you which language is currently active. If you see a flag, it is the flag of that language. If you see letters (like "EN" or "FR"), it is the language code. Click the icon to see all your active languages and their layouts listed below.

Add multiple layouts for the same language

Some languages have more than one keyboard layout. For example, English has both QWERTY and Dvorak. If you need both, add the language twice: go to Keyboard > Text Input, click +, select the language, and choose the layout you want from the dropdown menu before clicking Add.

This is useful if you use a standard keyboard at home but a different layout at work, or if you are learning a language and want to practice with its native keyboard arrangement.

Remove a keyboard language you no longer need

Open System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input. Find the language in the list and click it once to select it. Click the − button at the bottom left. The language will be removed from your Input menu when ready.

You can always add it back later by clicking the + button again. Removing languages you do not use keeps your Input menu clean and makes switching faster.

Troubleshoot if your keyboard language is not working

If you added a language but it is not appearing in your Input menu, make sure Show Input menu in menu bar is checked in Keyboard > Text Input. If the menu is visible but the language is not there, try restarting your Mac.

If you switch to a language but the keys still type in English, check that you selected the right layout when you added it. Some languages have multiple layouts (QWERTY vs. AZERTY, for example), and you may have chosen the wrong one. Remove it and add it again, paying attention to the layout dropdown.

If your keyboard is physically different from the layout you selected—for example, you have a French keyboard but selected English QWERTY—the keys will not match what appears on screen. In that case, select the layout that matches your physical keyboard, not the language you want to type.

Use language-specific input methods for Asian languages

Chinese, Japanese, and Korean require input methods rather than straightforward keyboard layouts, because these languages have thousands of characters. When you add one of these languages, macOS installs an input method that lets you type using your Roman keyboard and then select the character you want from a menu.

For example, with Chinese Pinyin, you type the Roman letters and macOS shows you matching characters to choose from. With Japanese, you can type in Hiragana or Romaji and convert to Kanji. These input methods work the same way as other languages—add them in Keyboard > Text Input and switch using your Input menu or keyboard shortcut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the keyboard language for just one app?

No, keyboard language is a system-wide setting on Mac. When you switch languages, it changes for all apps. However, some apps remember which language you were using the last time you opened them, so switching back and forth between apps may feel automatic if you always use the same language in each one.

What if I want to type in two languages at the same time?

You cannot type in two languages simultaneously, but you can switch between them when ready using your Input menu or keyboard shortcut. Add both languages, then click the Input menu and select the one you want before you start typing. Switching takes one click.

Will changing my keyboard language affect my system language?

No. Keyboard language only changes how your keys type. Your system language (the language your menus and apps display in) is separate and lives in System Settings > General > Language & Region. You can have an English system with a French keyboard, or vice versa.

How do I know which keyboard layout I added?

When you add a language in Keyboard > Text Input, the layout appears in parentheses next to the language name in the list. For example, "French (AZERTY)" or "English (QWERTY)". If you are not sure which one you need, check your physical keyboard or research the standard layout for that language.

Can I switch keyboard languages on the login screen?

Yes. The Input menu appears on the Mac login screen if you have added multiple languages. Click it to select the language you want before you enter your password. This is useful if you log in with a password that uses special characters from another language.