Change Alexa's language in settings on your phone or web browser
You can change the language Alexa speaks and understands through the Alexa app on your phone, or through Amazon's web portal on a computer. The process takes about two minutes and applies to that specific device — if you have multiple Alexa devices, you change each one separately. Alexa supports dozens of languages including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Hindi, among others.
The language you choose affects both what Alexa understands when you speak to it and what language it uses to respond. If you switch languages, Alexa will no longer reliably understand commands in your previous language, so this is a deliberate change rather than something that happens by accident.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Alexa app on your phone, find your device in the Devices tab, tap Settings, and select Language to pick a new one from the list.
- On a computer, log into alexa.amazon.com, go to Devices, select your device, scroll to Language, and choose from the available options.
- Changing the language on one device does not affect your other Alexa devices — each one has its own language setting.
- After you change the language, Alexa will respond in that language and will understand voice commands in that language instead of the previous one.
Steps to change language in the Alexa mobile app
Open the Alexa app on your phone and tap the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen. Find the Alexa device you want to change and tap it to open its settings page. Scroll down and tap Settings.
In the Settings menu, look for the option labeled Language and tap it. You will see a list of available languages. Tap the language you want Alexa to use. The change takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart the device.
Steps to change language on a computer
Go to alexa.amazon.com in your web browser and sign in with your Amazon account. Click on Devices in the left menu, then select the specific device you want to change from the list.
Scroll down the device settings page until you find the Language option. Click the dropdown menu next to it and select your preferred language from the list. Click Save or confirm the change — the device will update within a few seconds.
What happens when you change the language
Once you change the language, Alexa will speak and respond in that language. If you ask Alexa a question in your old language after switching, it may not understand you or may give you an error response. This is normal — Alexa is designed to work in one language at a time.
If you need Alexa to work in multiple languages, you will need to manually switch the language setting each time you want to use a different one. There is no built-in way to have Alexa automatically detect which language you are speaking and respond in that language.
Switching back to your original language
If you change your mind or made a mistake, you can switch back to your original language using the same steps. Open the Alexa app or go to alexa.amazon.com, find your device settings, tap or click Language, and select the language you want to use instead.
There is no limit to how many times you can change the language setting, so you can experiment without worry. Each change takes effect right away.
Changing language on an Echo Show or Echo Spot
If you have an Echo Show or Echo Spot (devices with screens), you can also change the language directly on the device itself. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings, tap Settings, then select Language. Choose your preferred language and confirm.
This method works the same way as changing it through the app — the language change applies only to that device and takes effect when ready. You can also use the app or web method for these devices if you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have Alexa understand two languages at once?
No. Alexa works in one language at a time. If you need to use multiple languages, you will need to manually change the language setting in your device settings each time you switch. Some Alexa routines can be set up to work across languages, but the device itself speaks and understands only one language at a time.
Will changing the language affect my smart home routines or connected devices?
Your routines and connected devices will continue to work, but voice commands in the old language will no longer work. If you have routines that rely on voice triggers in a specific language, you may need to update those routines after you change the language.
What if my language is not in the list?
Alexa supports a limited number of languages. If your language is not available, check Amazon's Alexa support page to see the full current list. Languages are added over time, so a language you need may become available in a future update.
Do I need to restart my Alexa device after changing the language?
No. The language change takes effect when ready without a restart. You can start using Alexa in the new language right away.
If I have multiple Alexa devices, do I have to change the language on each one?
Yes. Each Alexa device has its own language setting. If you want all your devices to use the same language, you will need to change the setting on each device separately using the same steps.