Change Your iPhone's Display Language in Settings

Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap General. Scroll down and tap Language & Region. At the top, you will see iPhone Language with your current language listed. Tap it, and a list of available languages appears. Select the language you want, then tap the language name again to confirm. Your iPhone will restart briefly, and all menus, buttons, and system text will display in your chosen language.

The process takes less than a minute. Your apps, photos, and personal files stay exactly as they are — only the operating system language changes. If you change your mind, you can return to Language & Region and pick a different language at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings > General > Language & Region > iPhone Language to see all available languages on your device.
  • Selecting a new language restarts your iPhone briefly, but does not affect your apps, photos, or personal data.
  • You can switch languages as often as you want by returning to the same menu.
  • Some languages offer regional variants (like English US or English UK) — choose the variant that matches your location or preference.
  • If a language does not appear in the list, your iPhone model or software version may not support it.

What Happens to Your Apps When You Change Language

Most apps follow your iPhone's system language automatically. If an app supports the language you chose, it will display in that language the next time you open it. Some apps, particularly older ones or those from smaller developers, may stay in English or another language if the developer did not translate them.

You can override this for individual apps. Go to Settings, scroll down to find the app name, tap it, then tap Language if that option appears. Not all apps offer this choice, but popular ones like Facebook, Instagram, and Google often do. Changing an app's language does not change your system language — only that one app.

Regional Variants and Keyboard Layouts

When you select a language, you may see options for regional variants. English, for example, offers English (US), English (UK), English (Australia), and others. These variants affect spelling, date formats, and keyboard layouts. Choosing English (UK) will change "color" to "colour" and adjust your keyboard to British English conventions.

If you want a different keyboard layout than the one that comes with your language choice, go to Settings > General > Keyboard, tap Keyboards, then tap Add New Keyboard. You can add multiple keyboards and switch between them while typing by tapping the globe icon on your keyboard.

Changing Siri's Language Separately

Siri normally speaks and understands the same language as your iPhone's system language. If you want Siri to use a different language, go to Settings > Siri & Search, tap Language, and choose a different one. This does not change your iPhone's display language — only what language Siri listens for and speaks.

Keep in mind that Siri's available languages may differ from your iPhone's display languages. Some languages are supported for display but not for Siri voice commands. If you choose a language Siri does not support, Siri will revert to English or another default language.

If Your Preferred Language Does Not Appear

Not all languages are available on every iPhone model or iOS version. Older iPhones running older versions of iOS have fewer language options than newer models running the latest software. If a language you want is missing, check your iOS version by going to Settings > General > About and looking at the Software Version number.

You can update your iPhone to the latest iOS by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Updating may add more languages to your device. If a language still does not appear after updating, your iPhone model may not support it — Apple's support page lists which languages work on which devices.

Switching Back to Your Original Language

If you changed your language and now cannot read the menus because you do not understand the language, the process is the same. Tap Settings (usually the gear icon), then look for the option that looks like a globe or world symbol. Tap it, find your original language in the list, and select it. Your iPhone will restart and return to the language you know.

If you are completely lost, you can also restore your iPhone to factory settings and set it up again in your original language. This erases all data, so it should be a last resort — but it works if you cannot navigate the menus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my iPhone's language affect my iCloud account or data?

No. Your iCloud account, photos, messages, and all stored data remain the same. Only the language your iPhone displays changes. You can sign back into iCloud on any device in any language.

Can I use multiple languages on the same iPhone?

Your iPhone displays in one system language at a time, but you can add multiple keyboards and switch between them while typing. Apps may also support multiple languages independently. If you need to switch your entire system language often, you can do so in seconds through Settings.

What if an app does not translate to my new language?

The app will stay in its default language, usually English. You can check the app's settings to see if it offers a language option. If not, contact the app developer — they control which languages their app supports, not Apple.

Does changing language affect my keyboard?

Your keyboard layout changes to match your language choice automatically. If you want a different keyboard, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard and select the layout you prefer. You can have multiple keyboards active and switch between them while typing.

Can I change the language for just one app?

Some apps let you change their language independently of your system language. Open the app, go to its settings or preferences, and look for a Language option. Not all apps offer this — it depends on the developer. Your system language will not change.