Change Alexa's Language in the App or on the Device

You can change the language your Alexa device speaks and understands through the Alexa app on your phone or tablet, or directly on the device itself if it has a screen. The app method works for all Alexa devices and takes about two minutes. The on-device method is faster if your device has a touchscreen, like an Echo Show.

Alexa supports dozens of languages and regional variants — English (US, UK, India, Australia, Canada), Spanish (Spain, Mexico), French (France, Canada), German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and others. When you change the language, Alexa's voice, responses, and understanding of your commands all switch to that language. Your routines, smart home controls, and shopping lists stay intact.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Alexa app, tap the menu icon, select Settings, then Device Settings, choose your device, and tap Language to pick a new one.
  • On an Echo Show or other touchscreen device, swipe down from the top, tap Settings, then Device Options, and select Language.
  • Alexa will restart after you change the language, which takes about 30 seconds to one minute.
  • You can set a different language for each Alexa device in your home independently.
  • Changing the language does not erase your routines, smart home connections, or shopping lists.

Change Language Using the Alexa App

Open the Alexa app on your phone or tablet and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings, then Device Settings. Find and tap the name of the Alexa device you want to change — if you have multiple devices, make sure you select the correct one.

Scroll down and tap Language. A list of available languages appears. Tap the language you want. Alexa will show a confirmation message and begin restarting. Wait 30 seconds to one minute for the device to finish restarting and explore the new language. You will hear Alexa speak in the new language when it finishes.

Change Language on a Touchscreen Device

If you have an Echo Show, Echo Spot, or another Alexa device with a screen, you can change the language directly on the device. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu. Tap Settings.

Tap Device Options, then Language. Select the language you want from the list. The device will restart and explore the new language within about one minute. The screen will go dark briefly during the restart — this is normal.

What Happens When You Change the Language

When you change Alexa's language, the device switches everything at once: the voice Alexa uses to speak, the language it listens for in your commands, and the language of on-screen text and menus. If you ask Alexa a question in the old language after switching, it will not understand you.

Your smart home devices, routines, shopping lists, and music library all remain connected and unchanged. If you have a routine called "Good morning" that turns on lights and reads the news, it will still work — Alexa will just respond in the new language. You do not need to set anything up again.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

If Alexa does not respond after you change the language, the device may still be restarting. Wait another minute and try again. If the language did not change, make sure you tapped the language name to confirm your choice — sometimes the menu closes without saving if you tap elsewhere.

If you changed the language by mistake and cannot navigate the menus in the new language, use the Alexa app instead. The app is in your phone's language, not Alexa's, so you can change it back without needing to understand Alexa's voice commands. Open the app, go to Settings > Device Settings > your device > Language, and select the language you want.

Changing Language on Multiple Devices

If you have more than one Alexa device in your home, you can set each one to a different language. This is useful if different family members speak different languages or if you want one device in your bedroom to speak Spanish and another in your kitchen to speak English.

In the Alexa app, go to Device Settings and repeat the language-change steps for each device separately. Each device stores its own language setting, so changing one does not affect the others. You can also mix and match — some devices can have voice commands in English while others listen for Spanish, all in the same home.

Supported Languages and Regional Variants

Alexa's language support varies by region and device type. Most devices support English (US), Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. Some devices also support Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, and other languages depending on where you live and which Alexa device you own.

When you open the Language menu on your device or in the app, you will see only the languages available for your specific device and region. If a language you want is not listed, it may not be supported on that device model yet. Check the language list in the app to see all options available to you before purchasing a device if a specific language is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing the language erase my routines and smart home settings?

No. Your routines, smart home device connections, shopping lists, music library, and all other settings stay exactly as they are. Only the language Alexa speaks and listens for changes. You do not need to set anything up again.

Can I use Alexa in two languages at the same time?

Not on a single device. Each Alexa device speaks one language at a time. However, if you have multiple devices, you can set one to English and another to Spanish, for example. Some newer devices may support bilingual modes in the future, but this is not currently standard.

How long does it take for the language change to take effect?

Alexa restarts after you change the language, which usually takes 30 seconds to one minute. During this time, the device will not respond to voice commands. Wait until you hear Alexa speak in the new language before trying to use it.

What if I change the language and Alexa stops working?

Restart the device by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. If it still does not work, use the Alexa app to change the language back to one you understand, then try again. You can also reset the device to factory settings if nothing else works, though this will erase all your settings.

Can I change the language for just Alexa's voice, not the commands it listens for?

No. The language setting controls both what Alexa speaks and what it listens for. When you change the language, both change together. There is no separate setting to change only the voice or only the command language.