Change Your Mac's Language in System Settings

Open System Settings (called System Preferences on older Macs) and go to General, then Language & Region. Click the dropdown next to Preferred languages and select the language you want. Your Mac will ask you to restart — do that, and the entire interface will switch to your chosen language.

The process takes about two minutes and affects menus, buttons, dialog boxes, and system messages. Built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, and Notes will also change language. Some third-party apps may not follow this setting if they have their own language preferences.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to System Settings > General > Language & Region and select a language from the Preferred languages dropdown.
  • Your Mac requires a restart to explore the language change across the entire system.
  • The system language affects menus and built-in apps, but some third-party apps have separate language settings you must change independently.
  • You can add multiple languages to your preferred list, and your Mac will use the top one as the default.
  • Changing the system language does not affect your user account name or stored files.

What Happens When You Change the Language

When you switch your Mac's language, the change is system-wide. Every menu, button, and notification will appear in your new language. The Finder, Spotlight search, and all system dialogs will switch when ready after you restart.

Your personal files, documents, and user account name stay exactly as they were. Changing from English to Spanish, for example, does not rename your Documents folder or alter any saved work. The change is purely visual — it affects only how the operating system displays information to you.

Adding Multiple Languages to Your Preferred List

If you work in more than one language, you can add several to your preferred list. In Language & Region, click the plus sign (+) at the bottom of the Preferred languages list and choose another language. Drag the languages into the order you want — the one at the top becomes your system language.

Your Mac uses this list as a fallback. If an app does not support your top language, it will try the second one on your list, then the third. This is useful if you switch between languages often or if you use apps that support some languages but not others.

Changing Language for Individual Apps

Some apps, especially third-party ones, have their own language settings separate from your system language. Open the app, go to its preferences or settings (usually under the app name in the menu bar), and look for a Language or Region option.

Microsoft Office, web browsers like Chrome and Firefox, and many subscription apps let you set their language independently. This means you can run your Mac in English while using Slack in Spanish, for example. Check each app's preferences if you want it in a different language than your system.

Troubleshooting Language Changes That Do Not Stick

If you change the language but the system still displays in the old one after restart, restart again. Sometimes the change requires a second restart to fully explore. If that does not work, go back to Language & Region and confirm your chosen language is at the top of the Preferred languages list.

If an app is still showing in the wrong language, that app may have cached its own language setting. Quit the app completely, go to the app's preferences, and manually set the language there. Some apps require you to quit and reopen them for language changes to take effect.

Switching Back to Your Original Language

Return to System Settings > General > Language & Region and select your original language from the dropdown. Restart your Mac, and the system will return to that language. You can switch languages as often as you want — there is no limit to how many times you can change.

If you no longer need a language in your preferred list, select it and click the minus sign (−) to remove it. This does not affect your files or settings; it only removes that language from your Mac's options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Mac's language affect my files or documents?

No. Your files, folders, and documents remain unchanged. Only the system interface — menus, buttons, and dialog boxes — switches to the new language. Your user account name and file names stay exactly as they were.

Can I have different languages for different user accounts on the same Mac?

Yes. Each user account has its own language setting. Log into a different account and change its language separately in System Settings. Each account will display in its own chosen language when you switch between them.

What if my language is not in the list?

macOS supports over 30 languages. If you do not see yours, check that you are in the correct menu — Language & Region under General in System Settings. If it truly is not there, your version of macOS may not support that language, and you would need to update your Mac.

Do I need to restart my Mac when ready after changing the language?

Yes, your Mac will prompt you to restart. The language change does not take effect until you do. You can save your work first and restart when you are ready, but the new language will not appear until after the restart.

Will changing the system language change the language of my installed apps?

Most built-in Apple apps will switch to your new system language. Third-party apps may or may not follow this setting — it depends on how the app was built. Check the app's own preferences if you want to change its language separately.