Change Your iPhone's Language in Settings

To change your iPhone's language, open Settings, tap General, then tap Language & Region. At the top, you'll see iPhone Language with your current language listed. Tap it, scroll through the list of available languages, select the one you want, and tap Done. Your iPhone will restart briefly, and all menus, buttons, and system text will appear in your chosen language.

The process is the same whether you're using an iPhone 15 or an older model — the Settings app layout has remained consistent for several years. If you don't see Language & Region in General settings, you may be running an older iOS version, but the feature exists on all current iPhones.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap General, then Language & Region, and select iPhone Language to change your system language.
  • Your iPhone will restart after you confirm the change, and all system text will switch to the new language when ready.
  • You can also set a regional format (date, time, and number style) separately from your language choice in the same menu.
  • Individual apps may not change language automatically — some apps have their own language settings inside the app itself.
  • If you change your language by mistake, you can reverse it by following the same steps and selecting your original language.

What Happens When You Change Your Language

When you select a new language and tap Done, your iPhone displays a confirmation message in the new language, then restarts. This restart takes about 30 seconds. After it completes, every system feature — Settings labels, notifications, Siri, keyboard suggestions, and built-in apps like Mail, Messages, and Calendar — will display in your chosen language.

Your personal data (photos, contacts, messages, calendar events) does not change. Only the interface language changes. If you have multiple languages you use regularly, you can switch back and forth as often as you like by repeating the same steps.

Setting a Region Separately from Language

In the same Language & Region menu, you'll see Region listed below iPhone Language. These are separate settings. Your region controls how dates, times, phone numbers, and currency appear — not what language they're in. For example, you can set your language to English and your region to France, so you'll see English text but French date formatting.

If you want your dates and times to match your language choice, set both to the same country. Tap Region, select your country, and tap Done. This change does not require a restart.

When Apps Don't Change Language Automatically

Some third-party apps (like social media, banking, or messaging apps) have their own language settings and won't automatically switch when you change your iPhone's system language. If an app is still showing in English or another language after you've changed your iPhone's language, you'll need to change the language inside that app.

Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences (usually a gear icon or three horizontal lines), and search for a language or localization option. The exact location varies by app. If you can't find it, check the app's help section or support website for instructions.

Changing Keyboard Language and Input Methods

Changing your iPhone's system language does not automatically add a keyboard in that language. If you want to type in your new language, you need to add a keyboard separately. Open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards. Tap Add New Keyboard, scroll to find your language, and tap it.

Once added, you can switch between keyboards by tapping the globe icon on your keyboard while typing. This is useful if you speak multiple languages or want to keep your system in one language but type in another.

Troubleshooting Language Changes

If your iPhone language didn't change after you selected a new one, restart your phone manually. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, drag it to turn off your phone, wait 10 seconds, then press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears. This usually takes about 30 seconds.

If you accidentally selected a language you don't recognize and can't read the menu labels, the steps are the same — just look for the gear icon (Settings), then the first menu item (General), then the third or fourth item down (Language & Region). Tap the first option under that heading, scroll to find English or your preferred language, and tap it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my iPhone language affect my iCloud or Apple ID account?

No. Your Apple ID account language is separate from your iPhone's system language. Your account settings, passwords, and data remain unchanged. If you want to change the language your Apple ID account uses for emails and notifications, you can do that separately in your Apple ID settings on iCloud.com, but it's not required.

Can I use two languages on my iPhone at the same time?

Your system language can only be one at a time, but you can add multiple keyboards and switch between them while typing. You can also add a second language for Siri — open Settings, tap Siri & Search, then Language, and you'll see an option to add a secondary language that Siri will recognize.

What if my language isn't in the list?

Apple supports over 40 languages on iPhone. If your language isn't listed, it may not be supported on your iOS version. Check Apple's website for your iOS version to see which languages are available. You can also check if a regional variant exists — for example, Spanish (Spain) versus Spanish (Mexico) — and select the closest match.

Do I need to back up my iPhone before changing the language?

No. Changing your language is a safe operation that doesn't affect your data or settings. Your photos, messages, contacts, and apps all remain intact. However, it's always good practice to back up your iPhone regularly, regardless of what changes you're making.