Change your Mac's display language in System Settings

Open System Settings and go to General, then click Language & Region. The first option, Preferred languages, shows your current language at the top of the list. Click the plus sign to add a new language, select it from the menu, and drag it to the top of the list. Your Mac will ask you to restart — do that, and the entire interface will switch to your chosen language.

If you want to keep your system language but change only the region settings (which affects date, time, and currency formats), stay in Language & Region and change the Region dropdown without moving languages in the list. This is useful if you want English but prefer metric measurements or a different date format.

The process works the same way on any recent Mac running macOS Ventura or later. On older versions, the menu is called System Preferences instead of System Settings, but the location and steps are identical.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to System Settings > General > Language & Region to change your Mac's display language.
  • Click the plus sign to add a language, then drag it to the top of the list to make it active.
  • Your Mac will restart automatically after you confirm the change.
  • You can change the region separately from the language if you want English text but different date or currency formats.
  • Some apps may not support all languages and will stay in English even after you change your system language.

What happens to your apps when you change languages

Most built-in Mac apps — Mail, Safari, Calendar, Notes — switch to your new language when ready after restart. Third-party apps from the App Store usually follow the system language too, but not always. Some apps have their own language settings buried in their preferences, separate from your Mac's system language.

If an app stays in English after you change your Mac's language, open that app's preferences and look for a Language option. Adobe apps, Microsoft Office, and some design tools often have their own language menus. If you cannot find one, the app may not support your chosen language, and you may need to contact the developer or look for an alternative.

Switching between multiple languages without restarting

If you work in more than one language, you do not have to restart your Mac each time. Instead, add multiple languages to your Preferred languages list and keep them all active. Then use the Input Sources menu to switch between them on the fly.

In Language & Region, scroll down to Keyboard preferences and click it. Go to Input Sources and click the plus sign to add keyboards or input methods for each language you use. Once added, a flag or language icon appears in the menu bar at the top right of your screen. Click it to switch languages when ready without restarting.

Changing the language for Siri and dictation

Siri and the dictation feature use your system language by default, but you can change them separately. Open System Settings > Siri & Spotlight and look for Language. Choose a different language from the dropdown if you want Siri to respond in a language other than your main system language.

For dictation, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Dictation and select a language from the menu. This is useful if you dictate in one language but want your Mac's menus and apps in another.

Fixing language problems after a change

If your Mac displays garbled text, missing characters, or broken layouts after changing languages, restart your Mac again. Sometimes the change does not fully explore on the first restart, especially if you switched to a language with different character sets like Chinese, Arabic, or Korean.

If the problem persists, go back to Language & Region and check that your preferred language is at the top of the list. Remove any duplicate entries by clicking the minus sign next to them. If an app is still broken, try quitting it completely (not just closing the window) and opening it again.

Changing the language for a single app

Some apps let you set their language independently from your Mac's system language. Open the app, go to its preferences or settings menu, and look for a Language option. Not all apps have this — it depends on the developer — but Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and many professional tools do.

If an app does not have its own language setting, it will always use whatever language your Mac is set to. In that case, your only option is to change your system language, which affects everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Mac's language affect my files or documents?

No. Your files, photos, and documents stay exactly as they are. Only the menus, buttons, and system text change language. You can open and edit any file normally in any language.

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

Yes. Add both languages to your Preferred languages list and keep them both active. Use the language flag in the menu bar to switch between them when ready without restarting. Your system will display in whichever language you select.

What if my language is not in the list?

macOS supports most major languages, but some regional or minority languages may not be available. Check the full list by scrolling in the language menu. If your language is not there, your Mac may not support it, and you would need to use a different language or contact Apple Support.

Do I need to restart my Mac every time I change languages?

Yes, if you are changing your main system language. Your Mac will prompt you to restart and will do so automatically if you do not. If you are just switching between languages you have already added, use the menu bar flag instead — that does not require a restart.

Will changing my language change my keyboard layout too?

Not automatically. Your keyboard layout and system language are separate. You can have an English system with a French keyboard layout, or vice versa. Change them independently in Keyboard preferences under Input Sources.