Change Your Android Phone's Language in Settings
To change the language on your Android phone, open Settings, tap System or About phone (depending on your phone model), then select Languages and input or Language. Tap the language currently shown, and choose a new one from the list. The phone's menus, buttons, and built-in apps will switch to that language within seconds.
The exact path varies slightly between phone makers. Samsung phones often label it Settings > General management > Language and input. Google Pixel phones use Settings > System > Languages and input. If you cannot find the language menu, search for "language" in your Settings app—most Android phones have a search bar at the top of Settings.
Once you select a new language, your keyboard, calendar, clock, and messaging app will all follow. Some third-party apps (like Facebook or Instagram) may stay in their own language settings until you change them separately inside each app.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, find the Languages section (usually under System or General management), and tap your current language to see the full list.
- The phone's system language changes when ready, but apps you downloaded separately may need their own language settings adjusted.
- If you cannot find the language menu, use the search bar in Settings and type "language" to jump straight to it.
- You can add a second language as a backup without removing the first one—swipe between them on your keyboard.
Finding the Language Menu on Different Android Phones
Android phones from different makers organize their settings differently, so the path to language depends on your phone's brand. The table below shows where to look on the most common models.
| Phone Brand | Path to Language Settings |
|---|---|
| Google Pixel | Settings > System > Languages and input > Languages |
| Samsung | Settings > General management > Language and input > Languages |
| OnePlus | Settings > System > Languages and input > Languages |
| Motorola | Settings > System > Languages and input > Languages |
| Other brands | Settings > search "language" at the top |
If you do not see a System folder, look for About phone or General management instead. Once you tap into any of these sections, you should see a Languages or Language and input option. If the menu looks different, your phone's maker may have renamed it—the search method is always faster than hunting through folders.
Selecting a New Language from the List
After you reach the Languages menu, you will see your current language highlighted or checked. Tap it to open the full list of available languages. The list is usually alphabetical and shows both the language name in English and in the language itself—for example, "Español (Spanish)" or "Français (French)".
Scroll through the list and tap the language you want. The phone will ask you to confirm the change, and within a few seconds, all system text will switch. Your home screen, notifications, Settings app, and system buttons will all appear in the new language when ready. You do not need to restart your phone.
If the language you want is not in the list, your phone may not support it. Android phones typically include 50 to 100 languages depending on the model and region. If you need a language that is not available, you can change individual apps to different languages, but the system itself cannot switch to an unsupported language.
Changing Language for Individual Apps
When you change your phone's system language, most built-in apps (like Calendar, Clock, and Messages) follow automatically. However, apps you downloaded from the Google Play Store may stay in English or their own default language until you change them separately.
To change an app's language, open the app, go to its Settings (usually a gear icon or menu button), and look for Language or Preferences. Not every app has this option—many apps use whatever language your phone is set to. If an app does not have a language setting, it will stay in its default language no matter what you choose for your phone.
Social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter almost always have their own language settings. Email apps like Gmail and Outlook do too. If you switch your phone to Spanish but Gmail stays in English, open Gmail, tap your profile picture, select Settings, then Language, and choose Spanish there.
Adding a Second Language Without Removing the First
Android lets you add a second language and switch between them without deleting your main language. This is useful if you speak two languages and want to use both on the same phone. Go back to Settings > Languages and input > Languages, and instead of tapping your current language, look for a plus sign or Add language button.
Tap it and select the second language from the list. Both languages will now appear in your language list. On your keyboard, you can swipe between them—most Android keyboards show a globe icon that lets you tap or swipe to switch languages while typing. Your system language stays the same, but you can type in either language without changing your phone's menus.
If you want to make the second language your main system language, go back to the Languages list and tap and hold the language you want to move to the top. Drag it above your current language, or look for an option to Set as default. The phone will switch to that language for all menus and buttons.
Troubleshooting Language Changes That Do Not Stick
Occasionally, a language change does not take effect, or the phone reverts to English after a restart. This usually happens if your phone is set to use your Google Account's language instead of the system language. To fix this, open Settings > System > Languages and input > Languages, and check whether there is a toggle for Use device language or Use system language. Turn it on.
If the language still does not change, restart your phone completely. Hold the power button until you see the power menu, tap Restart or Power off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. After the restart, check Settings again to confirm the language stuck.
Another common issue is that your Google Account may be set to a different language than your phone. If you sign into your Google Account on a new phone, it may default to the language you use in Gmail or Google Search. To override this, make sure your system language setting is set to your preferred language, and the account language will not override it.
Changing Language on Your Lock Screen and Keyboard
When you change your system language, your lock screen and home screen buttons change automatically. However, your keyboard language is separate and may need adjustment. If you type in a different language than your phone's system language, open Settings > System > Languages and input > On-screen keyboard (or Virtual keyboard), select your keyboard app (usually Gboard or Samsung Keyboard), and tap Languages.
Add the language you want to type in, and the keyboard will offer to switch between languages when you tap the globe icon while typing. This lets you keep your phone's menus in one language while typing messages in another. Some keyboards also let you type in multiple languages at once—for example, typing English and Spanish in the same sentence without switching.
Your lock screen will always display in your system language. If you want your lock screen to show the date and time in a different language, you must change your system language, because the lock screen does not have its own language setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my language delete my photos, messages, or apps?
No. Changing your phone's language only changes the text in menus and buttons. All your photos, messages, contacts, and installed apps stay exactly as they are. Your data is not affected at all.
Can I change the language back to English if I choose the wrong one?
Yes. Even if you cannot read the menus, you can still change the language back. Open Settings (usually the gear icon), scroll to find the language icon or section, and select English. If you are stuck, search online for "[your phone model] change language back to English" and follow the picture steps.
Why is my app still in English after I changed my phone's language?
Third-party apps have their own language settings separate from your phone's system language. Open the app, find its Settings menu (usually a gear icon), look for Language or Preferences, and change it there. Not all apps have this option—some only use your phone's system language.
Can I use two languages at the same time on my keyboard?
Yes. Go to Settings > Languages and input > On-screen keyboard, select your keyboard app, tap Languages, and add both languages. When you type, tap the globe icon on your keyboard to switch between them. Some keyboards also let you type both languages in one sentence without switching.
What if my language is not in the list?
Android phones support 50 to 100 languages depending on the model. If your language is not available, you cannot change your system language to it. However, you can change individual apps to other languages, and you can add a second keyboard language for typing. Check the Google Play Store for keyboard apps that support your language.