Switch your keyboard language in System Settings

To change your keyboard language on Mac, open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder), then go to Keyboard in the left sidebar. Click Input Sources, then click the plus sign (+) at the bottom left. A list of languages appears — select the language you want, choose the keyboard layout that matches it, and click Add. That language is now installed and ready to use.

Once you have added a language, you can switch between them while you work. The fastest way is to hold Control and press Space — a menu pops up showing all your installed keyboard languages. Highlight the one you want and release. Some people prefer to click the input menu in the top right corner of the menu bar instead, which shows a flag or language code and lets you pick from a dropdown.

If you do not see the input menu in your menu bar, go back to Keyboard > Input Sources in System Settings and check the box that says Show Input menu in menu bar. This makes switching languages visible and quick.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, go to Keyboard, click Input Sources, and use the plus sign to add a new language and keyboard layout.
  • Switch between installed languages by holding Control and pressing Space, or by clicking the input menu in your menu bar.
  • Enable the input menu in your menu bar so you can see which language is active and switch without using keyboard shortcuts.
  • You can add as many languages as you need — each one stays installed until you remove it from the Input Sources list.
  • Some languages have multiple keyboard layouts (like QWERTY, AZERTY, or phonetic); choose the one that matches your physical keyboard or typing habit.

Find the right keyboard layout for your language

When you add a language, Mac often offers more than one keyboard layout. English has QWERTY (the standard US layout) and DVORAK (an alternative arrangement). French has AZERTY and QWERTY options. Chinese offers Pinyin, Cantonese, and handwriting input. The layout you choose depends on what your physical keyboard is labeled and how you are used to typing.

If you are not sure which layout to pick, start with the first one in the list — it is usually the most common for that language. You can always add the same language again with a different layout later if you need it. For example, you might add French (AZERTY) for work and French (QWERTY) for home if you switch between keyboards.

Remove a keyboard language you no longer need

If you have added languages you do not use anymore, removing them keeps your input menu clean. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, find the language in the list, click it once to select it, then click the minus sign (−) at the bottom left. The language is removed when ready, but you can add it back anytime.

Keep at least one language installed — Mac requires you to have a default input source at all times. If you try to remove your last language, the system will not let you.

Use keyboard shortcuts to switch languages faster

The Control + Space shortcut works on any Mac, but you can set up a different shortcut if you prefer. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts, click Input Sources in the left sidebar, and you will see two options: Select the previous input source and Select next input source. Click the shortcut next to either one and press the keys you want to use instead. For example, you might set Option + Space or Command + Space if Control + Space does not feel natural to you.

If you have only two languages installed, Select the previous input source and Select next input source do the same thing — they toggle between the two. With three or more languages, they cycle through them in order.

Set a default language when your Mac starts

Your Mac remembers which language you were using last and starts with that one the next time you log in. If you want a specific language to be your default every time, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, find the language you want as your default, and drag it to the top of the list. The language at the top is the one Mac will use when you first log in or restart.

This is useful if you work mostly in one language but occasionally need another. Set your main language at the top, and you will not have to switch every time you start your computer.

Troubleshoot when a language does not appear in the list

If the language you want is not showing up in the Input Sources menu, it may not be installed on your Mac yet. Click the plus sign and search for it by typing the language name — for example, type "Arabic" or "Japanese" to filter the full list. If it still does not appear, your Mac may need a language pack. Go to System Settings > General > Language & Region, click Add Language, and select the language. Mac will read any files it needs, which may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.

After the language pack installs, go back to Keyboard > Input Sources and add it as a keyboard input source. It should now appear in your list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different keyboard languages in different apps?

Mac does not automatically switch languages between apps, but you can manually switch whenever you need to. Some third-party apps let you set a default language for that app alone, but the built-in system treats all your installed languages as available everywhere. You control which one is active by using your keyboard shortcut or the menu bar.

What if my keyboard shortcut stops working?

Check that you did not accidentally disable it in Keyboard Shortcuts settings. Also make sure no other app is using the same shortcut — some programs like Spotlight or Alfred can override Mac shortcuts. Try restarting your Mac, or go back to Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Input Sources and reset the shortcut by clicking it and pressing the keys again.

Do I need to restart my Mac after adding a language?

No. New keyboard languages are ready to use when ready after you click Add. You can start typing in that language right away without restarting.

Can I type in multiple languages without switching?

Not automatically — you have to switch between languages using your shortcut or menu bar. However, some languages like Chinese and Japanese have input methods that let you type phonetically and then choose from a list of characters, which can feel like typing in multiple systems at once. For most languages, you will need to switch.