Change your Facebook language in three steps
Facebook lets you switch the language of your interface — the menus, buttons, and labels you see on screen — without changing anything about your account or posts. The fastest way is through your settings menu: click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Language and region, then choose your language from the list and click Save changes. The interface updates when ready.
If you are on the Facebook mobile app, the path is slightly different. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Scroll to Language and region, tap Language, and select the language you want. Your app interface switches right away.
The language you choose affects only what you see — your friends still see their own language setting, and your posts and comments stay in whatever language you wrote them. Changing your language setting does not translate your old posts or messages automatically.
Key Takeaways
- On desktop, go to the downward arrow menu, select Settings and privacy, then Settings, find Language and region, and choose your language.
- On mobile, tap the three-line menu icon, go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, scroll to Language and region, and select your language.
- Changing your language setting only changes what you see on your screen — it does not translate your existing posts or messages.
- Your friends and followers see their own language setting regardless of what you choose, so changing your language does not affect what they see.
- Facebook supports over 100 languages, and you can switch back to a different language at any time using the same steps.
Where to find the language menu on desktop
On a computer or laptop, the language setting lives in your account menu. Look for the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook — it is next to your profile picture. Click it and you will see a dropdown menu with several options. The second option should be Settings and privacy; click that, then click Settings from the submenu that appears.
Once you are in Settings, look at the left sidebar. You will see categories like Account, Privacy, and Apps and websites. Scroll down until you find Language and region — it is usually near the bottom of the list. Click it, and the main panel on the right will show your current language and a list of all available languages. Click the one you want, then scroll down and click the blue Save changes button.
Where to find the language menu on mobile
On iPhone or Android, the menu is in a different place because the app layout is different. Open Facebook and look at the very bottom of your screen. You should see five icons in a row — Home, Friends, Videos, Menu (three horizontal lines), and your profile picture. Tap the three horizontal lines, which opens your main menu.
Scroll down in this menu until you see Settings and privacy. Tap it, then tap Settings from the options that appear. Now scroll down through the settings list until you find Language and region. Tap Language underneath it, and you will see a list of available languages. Tap the one you want, and it takes effect when ready — you do not need to save or restart the app.
What happens to your posts and messages when you change language
Changing your language setting does not change the language of anything you have already written. If you posted in English, it stays in English. If you sent a message in Spanish, it stays in Spanish. The language setting only controls the words Facebook uses to label buttons, menus, and features — things like "Like," "Comment," "Share," and "Settings."
If you want to translate a post or message that someone else wrote, Facebook has a separate translate feature. When you see a post in a language you do not read, look for the word Translate below the post (it may say "See translation" depending on your version). Click it and Facebook will show you a translation. This translation feature works independently of your language setting.
Switching between multiple languages
You can change your language as often as you want. There is no limit to how many times you switch, and no penalty for doing so. If you speak multiple languages and want to use Facebook in different languages at different times, just follow the same steps and pick a new language whenever you need to.
Some people keep their Facebook interface in one language but use Facebook in another language with friends or family. For example, you might keep your interface in English but write posts and messages in Spanish. Your language setting does not force you to write in any particular language — it only changes the menus and buttons you see.
If your language is not in the list
Facebook supports over 100 languages, but not every language in the world is available. If you do not see your language in the list, check the spelling or try a related language — for example, if you speak Brazilian Portuguese, you might find it listed separately from European Portuguese. Scroll through the entire list carefully, as languages are usually in alphabetical order.
If your language truly is not available, you can still use Facebook in English or another language that is close to yours. Some languages are added over time as more people request them, but there is no way to request a new language through Facebook settings. If you want to suggest a language, you can report the issue through Facebook's Help Center, though there is no may provide it will be added.
Troubleshooting language changes that do not work
If you change your language but the interface does not update, try closing and reopening Facebook. On desktop, close the browser tab or window completely, then open Facebook again in a fresh tab. On mobile, close the app completely — swipe it away from your recent apps — then tap the Facebook icon to open it again. This forces the app to reload and explore your language change.
If the language still has not changed after you close and reopen, clear your browser cache (on desktop) or the app cache (on mobile). On iPhone, go to Settings, find Facebook, and toggle Offload App on and off. On Android, go to Settings, Apps, Facebook, Storage, and tap Clear Cache. Then open Facebook again. If the problem continues, log out completely, log back in, and try changing the language again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Facebook in one language while my friends use it in another?
Yes. Your language setting only affects what you see on your screen. Your friends see their own language setting, and your posts and messages appear in whatever language you wrote them, regardless of what language your interface is in.
Does changing my language translate my old posts?
No. Changing your language setting only changes the Facebook interface — menus, buttons, and labels. Your old posts stay in the language you wrote them. If you want to translate a post, use the separate Translate feature that appears below posts in languages you do not read.
What if I accidentally change my language and cannot read the menus?
You can still change it back even if you cannot read the words. The steps are the same: click the downward arrow in the top right, click the second option (Settings and privacy), click the first option in the submenu (Settings), scroll down the left sidebar, click the option near the bottom, and select your language. The position of the buttons does not change, only the words.
Can I set different languages for different devices?
Yes. Your language setting is tied to your account, but Facebook remembers the language you set on each device separately. You can use English on your phone and Spanish on your computer, and each device will remember your choice the next time you log in.
Is there a way to translate messages from my friends?
Facebook does not automatically translate messages in your inbox, but you can copy a message and paste it into a translation tool like Google Translate. Some browsers also have built-in translation features that can translate the entire page, which would translate messages along with everything else.