Where to find the language setting on your iPad
The language setting lives in the Settings app, not in a separate menu. Open Settings, tap General, then tap Language & Region. From there you can change the system language, the region format, and the keyboard languages all in one place.
The exact names of these menus stay the same across iPad models and most recent versions of iPadOS, so the path works whether you have an iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, or iPad mini. If you cannot find Language & Region under General, your iPad is running an older version — scroll down in the General menu to look for Language instead.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, tap General, then Language & Region to change your system language.
- Tap the language listed at the top of the Language & Region screen to see all available languages and select a new one.
- Changing the system language affects menus, buttons, and app text throughout your iPad, but does not change the language of content you create.
- You can add multiple keyboard languages separately from the system language so you can type in different languages without switching the whole interface.
- Some apps may not support all languages, so they may stay in English or another language even after you change your system language.
Changing the system language step by step
Tap Settings on your home screen. Scroll down and tap General. Look for Language & Region and tap it. At the top of the screen you will see the current language — tap it to open a list of all available languages.
Scroll through the list to find the language you want. The list is alphabetical and shows both the language name and the region or dialect if there are multiple versions — for example, English (US), English (UK), and English (Australia) are separate options. Tap the language you want. Your iPad will ask you to confirm; tap Change Language. The system will restart and display everything in your new language.
If you change your mind, follow the same steps and select a different language. There is no limit to how many times you can switch.
Changing the region format separately from the language
The region format controls how your iPad displays dates, times, currency, and phone numbers — not the language itself. You might want English menus but European date formatting, for example. In Language & Region, scroll down to Region and tap it. Choose the region that matches the format you want.
Changing the region does not change the language of your menus or apps. It only changes how numbers and dates appear. If you want both the language and the format to match a specific country, you may need to set both — the language at the top of Language & Region and the region lower down.
Adding keyboard languages without changing the system language
You can type in multiple languages without switching your entire system to another language. In Settings, tap General, then Keyboard. Tap Keyboards, then Add New Keyboard. A list of available languages appears — tap the language you want to add. You can add as many as you need.
Once you have added a keyboard language, a globe icon appears on your keyboard when you are typing. Tap it to cycle through your available keyboards. The system language stays the same; only the keyboard switches. This is useful if you speak multiple languages but prefer your iPad menus in English.
What changes when you switch the system language
Changing the system language affects the iPad itself — menus, buttons, settings names, and system messages all appear in your new language. Most apps follow the system language, so their menus and buttons change too. However, content you create — documents, emails, notes — stays in whatever language you typed it in. Changing the system language does not translate your files.
Some apps, especially older ones or those designed for specific regions, may not support all languages. Those apps might stay in English or another language even after you change your system language. If an app is important to you and does not support your preferred language, check the App Store to see if an update is available or if the developer has noted language support in the app description.
Troubleshooting language changes that do not stick
If you change the language but it reverts to the previous one, restart your iPad. Press and hold the top button and one of the volume buttons until the power-off slider appears. Drag it to turn off the iPad, wait a few seconds, then press the top button again to turn it back on. This forces the system to fully explore the language change.
If the language still does not change, check that you have enough storage space available. Language packs require a small amount of space to read and install. Go to Settings, tap General, then About to see how much storage is free. If you are very low on space, delete some photos, videos, or apps, then try changing the language again.
Changing language on specific apps instead of the whole system
Some apps let you change the language within the app itself, separate from your system language. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences, and search for a Language option. Not all apps offer this feature — it depends on the developer — but popular apps like Netflix, Spotify, and Microsoft Office often do.
If an app has its own language setting, it overrides the system language for that app only. This is useful if you want to learn a language by using an app in that language while keeping your iPad menus in English. Check the app's settings menu to see what options are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the language affect my files or documents?
No. Changing the system language only affects how the iPad displays its menus and buttons. Any documents, emails, or notes you have already created stay in the language you typed them in. The change is visual only and does not translate your content.
Can I use multiple languages at the same time?
Yes, through keyboards. Add multiple keyboard languages in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap the globe icon on your keyboard to switch between them while typing. Your system language stays one language, but you can type in others.
What if my language is not in the list?
iPad supports most major languages, but not all regional dialects or minority languages. If your language is not listed, the closest related language may be available — for example, if a specific dialect is not there, a broader version of that language might be. Check the full list by scrolling all the way through.
Do I need to restart my iPad after changing the language?
Your iPad will restart automatically when you confirm the language change. You do not need to do anything else. If the change does not seem to take effect, manually restart by holding the top button and a volume button until the power slider appears, then turn it back on.
Will changing the language change the language of apps I downloaded?
Most apps will follow your system language automatically. Some apps, especially those designed for specific countries, may not support your new language and will stay in their original language. Check the App Store listing to see what languages each app supports.