Change Your iPad's Display Language in Settings
To change the language your iPad displays, open Settings, tap General, then Language & Region. Tap iPad Language, select the language you want, and tap Done. Your iPad will restart and show menus, buttons, and system text in the new language.
The process takes about two minutes. Your personal files, photos, and apps stay exactly where they are — only the system interface changes. If you change your mind, you can switch back the same way at any time.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings > General > Language & Region > iPad Language to see all available languages on your device.
- Your iPad will restart automatically after you select a new language, so save any open work before you make the change.
- Changing the system language does not affect your apps, photos, documents, or personal data — only the iPad's menus and buttons.
- Some apps may still display in English or their own default language even after you change your iPad's system language.
What Happens When You Change the Language
When you select a new language and tap Done, your iPad will shut down and restart. This restart is normal and necessary — it tells the system to load all menus and buttons in your chosen language. The restart takes about 30 seconds to one minute.
After the restart, everything you see on your iPad will be in the new language: the Settings app, Control Center, notifications, keyboard, and system prompts. Your home screen layout stays the same, and all your apps remain in their original folders.
Changing the Keyboard Language Separately
Your iPad's keyboard language can be different from your system language. If you want to type in one language but see menus in another, you can add keyboard languages without changing the whole system. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, and choose the language you want to type in.
Once you add a keyboard, a globe icon appears on your keyboard. Tap it to switch between languages while you type. This is useful if you speak multiple languages or live in a bilingual household.
Choosing from Available Languages
When you tap iPad Language in Settings, you see a list of every language your iPad can display. The list includes major languages like Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Japanese, and Arabic, plus dozens of regional variations. For example, you can choose between Spanish (Spain) and Spanish (Mexico), or English (US) and English (UK).
Scroll through the full list to find your language. If you are not sure which regional version to pick, the one listed first is usually the most common choice for that language.
What to Do If Your iPad Is in a Language You Do Not Understand
If someone changed your iPad's language and you cannot read the menus, you can still change it back. The Settings app icon looks the same in every language — it is a gray gear. Tap it, then look for the icon that looks like a globe or the word that appears second in the list (this is usually General in most languages). Tap the third item in that menu, then the first option in the next screen.
If you get stuck, you can also restore your iPad to its original language by connecting it to a computer with iTunes or Finder and restoring it as new. This erases everything, so it should be your last option.
Regional Settings and Keyboard Layouts
Changing your language in Language & Region also changes your region setting, which affects how dates, times, and numbers display. For example, if you switch to Spanish (Spain), your iPad will show dates as day/month/year instead of month/day/year, and use a comma instead of a period for decimals.
You can adjust these regional settings separately if you want. In Settings > General > Language & Region, scroll down to see options for Region, Calendar, and Time Format. This lets you keep your system language in one place but display dates and numbers the way another region does.
Apps and Third-Party Software Language Settings
Changing your iPad's system language does not automatically change the language inside individual apps. Many apps follow your system language, but some have their own language settings. If an app is still in English after you change your iPad's language, open that app and look in its settings for a language option.
Popular apps like Netflix, Spotify, and Microsoft Office let you change the language inside the app itself, separate from your iPad's system language. Check the app's settings menu — usually found by tapping a profile icon, gear icon, or three horizontal lines — and look for a language or preferences section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my iPad's language delete my files or apps?
No. Changing the language only changes how menus and buttons appear. All your photos, documents, emails, and apps stay exactly as they are. You can change the language back anytime without losing anything.
Can I use two languages on my iPad at the same time?
Your system menus can only display in one language at a time, but you can add multiple keyboard languages and switch between them while typing. You can also change the system language whenever you want — it takes about two minutes.
What if my language is not in the list?
iPad supports over 40 languages. If yours is not listed, check if a regional variation exists — for example, Portuguese (Brazil) or Portuguese (Portugal). If your language truly is not available, your iPad will display in English by default.
Does changing the language affect Siri?
Yes. Siri will speak and understand the language you set in Language & Region. If you want Siri to use a different language, change your system language or go to Settings > Siri & Search > Language and choose a different one there.
Why is my iPad still showing English after I changed the language?
Make sure the restart completed fully — wait 60 seconds after you see the Apple logo. If menus are still in English, go back to Settings > General > Language & Region and check that your chosen language is actually selected. Some apps may also stay in English even if your system language changed.