Switch Your Keyboard Language in System Settings

To change your keyboard language on a MacBook, open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder), then click Keyboard in the sidebar. Under the Input Sources tab, click the plus sign to add a new language, select the language you want from the list, and click Add. Once added, you can switch between languages using the flag icon in your menu bar at the top of the screen, or by pressing the keyboard shortcut shown there (usually Control + Space or Command + Space, depending on your settings).

The language you add becomes available when ready. You do not need to restart your Mac. If you want to remove a language later, go back to Keyboard settings, select the language in the Input Sources list, and click the minus sign.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, click Keyboard, then go to the Input Sources tab to add or remove keyboard languages.
  • Click the plus sign to add a new language, select it from the list, and click Add to make it available.
  • Switch between languages using the flag icon in your menu bar, or use the keyboard shortcut (usually Control + Space or Command + Space).
  • You can customize the keyboard shortcut for switching languages in the same Input Sources tab if the default does not suit you.

Find the Input Sources Tab Quickly

If you have never opened System Settings before, the path is straightforward. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings. On the left sidebar, scroll down until you see Keyboard and click it. You should see several tabs across the top of the main panel; click Input Sources.

If you already have multiple languages installed, the Input Sources tab will show them all in a list. The language with a checkmark is your current default. You can reorder them by dragging, which changes the order they appear in the menu bar switcher.

Use the Menu Bar Flag to Switch Languages

Once you have added a second language, a small flag icon appears in your menu bar (the row of icons at the top right of your screen). Click this flag to see a dropdown menu showing all your installed keyboard languages. Click the one you want to use, and your keyboard will switch to that language when ready.

The flag shows which language is currently active. If you type in a language that uses different characters—such as Chinese, Arabic, or Cyrillic—the flag will change to reflect that language. This visual cue helps you confirm you are typing in the right language before you start.

Set a Keyboard Shortcut for Faster Switching

Using the menu bar flag works, but a keyboard shortcut is faster if you switch languages often. In the Input Sources tab of Keyboard settings, look for the section labeled Keyboard Shortcuts at the bottom. You will see an option called Select the previous input source with a default shortcut listed (usually Control + Space). You can click this field and press a new key combination to change it.

Common shortcuts people use are Control + Option + Space or Command + Option + Space, but you can set any combination that does not conflict with another Mac shortcut. Test your new shortcut by typing in a document, then pressing it to confirm the language switches. If the shortcut does not work, it may conflict with another process; try a different combination.

Add Languages That Use Different Character Sets

If you are adding a language like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, or Russian, your Mac may ask you to read additional input method software the first time you select it. Click Install when prompted, and your Mac will read the necessary files (this usually takes a minute or two on a normal internet connection). Once installed, that language is ready to use.

Some languages offer multiple input methods. For example, Chinese has Simplified and Traditional options, and Japanese offers Hiragana, Katakana, and Romaji. When you add the language, you can choose which input method you prefer. You can always add the same language again with a different input method if you need both.

Troubleshoot When the Flag Icon Does Not Appear

If you added a language but the flag icon is not showing in your menu bar, the language may not have finished installing. Go back to Keyboard settings and check the Input Sources tab—if the language shows a read icon or says "installing," wait for it to complete. If it shows an error, try removing it and adding it again.

Another reason the flag might not appear is if your Mac is set to show only the current input source in the menu bar. In the Input Sources tab, look for a checkbox that says Show Input menu in menu bar and make sure it is checked. If it is unchecked, click it to enable the flag icon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a different keyboard layout for the same language?

Yes. Some languages have multiple layouts available—for example, English offers QWERTY, DVORAK, and Colemak. In the Input Sources tab, click the plus sign and you will see layout options listed under each language. Add the layout you want, and it will appear as a separate entry in your language switcher.

What if I want to remove a language I no longer use?

Open Keyboard settings, go to Input Sources, click the language you want to remove, and click the minus sign below the list. The language will disappear from your menu bar switcher when ready. You can always add it back later if you change your mind.

Does changing keyboard language affect my Mac's system language?

No. Keyboard language and system language are separate. Changing your keyboard language only affects what characters appear when you type. Your Mac's menus, settings, and applications will stay in whatever language your system is set to. To change your system language, go to System Settings and click General, then Language & Region.

Why does my keyboard layout look different after I switch languages?

The physical keys on your keyboard do not change, but the characters they produce do. For example, if you switch to French AZERTY, pressing the top-left letter key will type "A" instead of "Q." Your Mac does not show a visual keyboard map by default, but you can open the Keyboard Viewer to see which key produces which character. Go to Keyboard settings, click Input Sources, check Show Input menu in menu bar, then click the flag and select Show Keyboard Viewer.

Can I set a language to be the default when I restart my Mac?

Your Mac remembers the last language you used and returns to it after restart. If you want a specific language to always be the default, use that language before you shut down. Alternatively, in Input Sources, you can drag languages to reorder them—the top language in the list becomes the default if no other language was active when you last shut down.