Change WhatsApp's language in three steps
WhatsApp on Android pulls its language from your phone's system settings, not from a menu inside the app itself. To change the language WhatsApp displays, you go to your phone's Settings, find Apps or process Manager, select WhatsApp, and choose Language. The exact path depends on your Android version and phone manufacturer, but the principle is the same across all devices.
If you want WhatsApp to display in a different language than the rest of your phone, you will need to use your phone's per-app language settings — a feature available on Android 13 and newer. Older Android versions do not let you set WhatsApp to a different language than your system language without changing your entire phone's language.
Key Takeaways
- WhatsApp uses your phone's system language by default, so changing the app's language means changing your phone's language setting.
- Android 13 and newer phones let you set a different language for WhatsApp alone, without changing your whole phone's language.
- The path to language settings varies by manufacturer — Samsung, Google Pixel, and other brands have slightly different menu names.
- WhatsApp will switch to the new language the next time you open the app after changing the setting.
How to change language on Android 13 and newer (per-app language)
Android 13 introduced the ability to set a language for individual apps. Open your phone's Settings app, then go to Apps (or Applications). Find and tap WhatsApp. Tap Languages, then select the language you want. Close Settings and open WhatsApp — it will now display in that language while the rest of your phone stays in its original language.
Not all phones running Android 13 or newer have this feature in the same place. On Samsung phones, the path is Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Advanced > Language. On Google Pixel phones, it is Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Languages. If you cannot find a Languages option, your phone manufacturer may not have included this feature, and you will need to change your system language instead.
How to change language on Android 12 and older (system language)
On older Android versions, WhatsApp will only display in whatever language your entire phone is set to. Open Settings, then look for Language and Input, Language, or Locale — the exact name depends on your phone. Tap it, then select the language you want. Your phone will restart or refresh, and WhatsApp will display in that language along with all other system text.
This method changes the language for your entire phone, not just WhatsApp. Every app, menu, and notification will switch to the new language. If you only want WhatsApp in a different language and your phone runs Android 12 or older, you have no built-in way to do that without changing your whole phone's language.
What languages WhatsApp supports
WhatsApp displays in more than 60 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Hindi, and many others. The full list depends on your Android version and phone manufacturer, but the most widely spoken languages are always included.
If you select a language and WhatsApp does not switch to it, the app may not support that language on your version of Android. Try restarting WhatsApp or restarting your phone. If the language still does not appear, check that your phone's system language is set to one WhatsApp supports — some regional or constructed languages may not be available.
Why WhatsApp uses your phone's language
WhatsApp does not have its own language menu because the app is designed to respect your phone's settings. This approach saves space in the app and keeps your phone's interface consistent — if WhatsApp had its own language setting separate from your system language, you would see menus in one language and notifications in another.
The downside is that you cannot easily use WhatsApp in one language while keeping your phone in another, unless you have Android 13 or newer. If you share your phone with someone who speaks a different language, you would have to change your entire phone's language to switch WhatsApp's language, then change it back again.
Troubleshooting: WhatsApp language did not change
If you changed your phone's language or used the per-app language setting but WhatsApp still displays in the old language, close the app completely and open it again. Android sometimes caches the old language until the app restarts. Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp, tap Force Stop, wait a few seconds, then open WhatsApp from your home screen.
If that does not work, restart your phone. Language changes sometimes require a full system restart to take effect across all apps. After your phone turns back on, open WhatsApp and check whether the language has switched. If it still has not changed, verify that you selected the language correctly in Settings — some languages have similar names (like English US and English UK) and it is straightforward to pick the wrong one by mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use WhatsApp in one language while my phone is in another?
Only if your phone runs Android 13 or newer. Older Android versions force WhatsApp to use your system language. On Android 13 and up, go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Languages and pick a different language than your phone's system language.
Will changing WhatsApp's language affect my chats or contacts?
No. Changing the language only changes the text of menus, buttons, and notifications — your messages, contact names, and chat history stay exactly the same. The language you use to type messages is separate from the app's display language.
What if my language is not in the list?
WhatsApp supports over 60 languages, but not every language in the world. If your language is missing, WhatsApp will display in English or your phone's default language. You can request support for a new language through WhatsApp's feedback option in Settings > Help > Contact Us.
Does changing my phone's language to use WhatsApp affect other apps?
Yes. If you change your system language on Android 12 or older, every app and menu on your phone switches to that language, not just WhatsApp. Android 13 and newer lets you change WhatsApp's language alone without affecting other apps.
Will my contacts see messages in a different language if I change WhatsApp's language?
No. Your contacts see the messages you send in whatever language you typed them, regardless of what language your WhatsApp interface is set to. Changing the app's language only changes what you see on your screen, not what you send or receive.