Change Your Android Language in Settings

To change the language on your Android phone, open Settings, tap System or System and device (the exact name varies by manufacturer), then select Languages and input or Language. Tap Languages and choose the language you want from the list. Android will explore the change when ready to your entire phone — menus, apps, and notifications will all switch to your chosen language.

The exact path depends on your phone's manufacturer. Samsung phones label it Settings > General management > Language and input > Languages. Google Pixel phones use Settings > System > Languages and input > Languages. If you cannot find the option, 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 phone restarts some system processes to explore it. This takes a few seconds and you do not need to restart your phone manually. If an app was already open, close it and reopen it to see the language change take effect in that app.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, find System or System and device, then tap Languages and input to reach the language menu.
  • Select your preferred language from the list and Android applies the change to your entire phone when ready.
  • The exact path to language settings varies by phone manufacturer, but searching "language" in Settings will find it on any Android phone.
  • Some apps may need to be closed and reopened to display in your new language, but system-wide changes happen right away.
  • You can add multiple languages to your keyboard and switch between them without changing your phone's system language.

What Happens When You Change Your Language

When you select a new language, Android changes the display language for the entire system. This includes the Settings app itself, notification text, system messages, and the names of your apps on the home screen. Most built-in Google apps — like Gmail, Maps, and Chrome — will also switch to your chosen language the next time you open them.

Third-party apps from the Play Store may or may not change language automatically. Some apps detect your phone's system language and switch on their own. Others have their own language settings buried in their menus, separate from your phone's system language. If an app does not switch after you change your phone language, look in that app's settings for a language or localization option.

Switching Back to Your Original Language

If you change your language and realize you chose the wrong one, or you want to switch back, follow the same steps. Open Settings, navigate to Languages and input, and select your original language. The change takes effect when ready, just as it did the first time.

If you cannot read the menu labels in your new language, use the icons and position to navigate. The language list is usually the first or second option in the Languages and input menu, and it displays flags or language codes next to each choice. You can also use Google Translate on another device to identify which option is your target language.

Adding Multiple Languages to Your Keyboard

You can add multiple languages to your keyboard without changing your phone's system language. This is useful if you type in more than one language but want your menus and apps to stay in one language. Open Settings, go to Languages and input, then select Virtual keyboard or On-screen keyboard. Choose your keyboard app — usually Gboard on most Android phones — and tap Languages.

Tap the plus icon or Add language and select each language you want to type in. Once you add them, you can switch between languages while typing by tapping the globe icon on your keyboard or swiping the space bar. Your phone's system language stays the same; only your keyboard switches.

Changing Language for Individual Apps

Some apps let you set their language independently from your phone's system language. Open the app, go to its settings or preferences menu — usually found by tapping a menu icon or your profile picture — and look for a Language or Localization option. Not all apps offer this, but many social media, messaging, and productivity apps do.

If an app does not have its own language setting, it will use whatever language your phone is set to. Changing the app's language does not affect your phone's system language or other apps.

Troubleshooting Language Changes

If your phone language changed but some apps are still in the old language, clear the app's cache. Open Settings, go to Apps or process manager, find the app, tap Storage, and select Clear cache. This removes temporary files without deleting your data, and the app will reload in your phone's current language the next time you open it.

If you cannot find the Languages and input menu, your phone may organize settings differently. Search for "language" at the top of your Settings app — this search works on all Android phones and will take you directly to the language menu. If the search does not work, restart your phone and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my phone language affect my Google account or contacts?

No. Changing your phone's language only changes how menus and apps display on your device. Your Google account, contacts, photos, and all your personal data stay exactly the same. You can change your language back anytime without losing anything.

Can I set different languages for different users on the same phone?

Yes, if your phone supports multiple user accounts. Each user account can have its own system language. Go to Settings, find System > Multiple users or Users and accounts, and create a new user. Each user can then set their own language independently.

What if my language is not in the list?

Android includes most major languages, but some regional or minority languages may not be available. If your language is missing, you can set your phone to the closest related language, or check if your phone manufacturer offers additional language packs through their app store or settings.

Does changing language affect my text messages or emails?

No. Your text messages and emails are stored in whatever language you wrote them in. Changing your phone's language only changes the language of the app menus and system text, not the content of your messages.

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

Your phone's system language can only be one at a time, but you can add multiple languages to your keyboard and switch between them while typing. You can also set individual apps to different languages if they have their own language settings.