Change your Facebook language in Settings
Facebook lets you change the language of the interface — the menus, buttons, and labels you see — from your account settings. The steps are the same whether you use Facebook on a computer or phone, though the exact location of the Settings menu differs slightly between the two.
On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right, scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Once you are in Settings, look for the Language section — it is usually near the top of the page.
Click or tap the language you currently see listed, and a dropdown menu will show you all available languages. Select the one you want, and Facebook will reload when ready in that language. Your choice stays saved to your account, so the next time you log in, you will see the same language.
Key Takeaways
- You change Facebook's language through Settings and privacy, then Settings, then the Language section.
- Facebook offers more than 100 languages, and your choice is saved to your account permanently.
- The language setting only changes the interface — it does not translate the posts and comments your friends write.
- If you cannot find the Language option, make sure you are logged into your own account and not viewing Facebook as a guest.
Where to find the Language option on different devices
On a desktop or laptop computer, the quickest route is the account menu in the top right. Click the downward arrow next to your name or profile picture, and you will see a dropdown menu with several options. Select Settings and privacy from that menu, then click Settings in the submenu that appears. The page that opens shows your account settings organized into sections on the left side — scroll down until you see Language.
On an iPhone or Android phone, the menu icon (three horizontal lines) is in the bottom right corner of the screen. Tap it to open the main menu, then scroll down past your friends list and other options until you see Settings and privacy. Tap that, then tap Settings. The Language option appears in the same section as on a computer.
If you are using Facebook in a web browser on a phone rather than the app, the layout is similar to the desktop version — look for the downward arrow menu in the top right corner instead of the three-line menu at the bottom.
What languages Facebook supports
Facebook supports more than 100 languages, including major languages like Spanish, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Portuguese, and Hindi, as well as many regional and minority languages. The exact list changes occasionally as Facebook adds support for new languages, but the most widely spoken languages are always available.
When you click on the Language option, you will see the full list of available languages for your region. Some languages may not be available in all countries — for example, certain regional dialects or languages with smaller speaker populations may only be offered in specific areas. If you do not see the language you want, it may not yet be supported by Facebook, or it may not be available in your location.
The difference between interface language and content translation
Changing your language setting only changes the words Facebook itself uses — the buttons that say "Like" or "Comment", the menu labels, and the notifications you receive. It does not translate the posts, comments, or messages your friends write to you.
If a friend posts in Spanish and you have set your interface to English, you will still see the post in Spanish. Facebook does offer an optional translation feature for individual posts — you can tap or click "See translation" on a post to have Facebook translate it for you — but this is separate from your language setting. The language setting is purely about the Facebook interface itself.
Changing your language back or switching between multiple languages
If you change your language and want to switch back, follow the same steps: go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Language. Select your original language from the dropdown, and Facebook will reload in that language when ready.
Facebook does not have a built-in feature to switch between multiple languages automatically or to set different languages for different times of day. You can only have one language active at a time on your account. If you regularly use Facebook in more than one language, you will need to change the setting manually each time you want to switch.
Troubleshooting when you cannot find the Language option
If you cannot locate the Language section in Settings, first confirm that you are logged into your own account and not viewing Facebook as a guest or in a limited mode. Guest accounts and some restricted accounts do not have access to the full Settings menu.
If you are logged in but still cannot find Language, try logging out completely and logging back in. Sometimes the Settings menu does not load fully until you refresh your session. Clear your browser cache if you are on a computer, or close and reopen the Facebook app on your phone. If the Language option still does not appear, your account may have a temporary glitch — wait a few hours and try again.
What happens to your saved language preference
Once you set your language, Facebook remembers it across all your devices. If you log into Facebook on your phone, tablet, and computer, all three will show the same language you selected. This is because the setting is tied to your account, not to a specific device or browser.
If someone else logs into your account on a different device, they will see the language you set, not their own preferred language. If you share a device with other people and each person has their own Facebook account, each account will remember its own language setting separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my language affect my friends' view of my posts?
No. Your language setting only changes what you see on your own screen. Your friends will see Facebook in whatever language they have set for their own accounts, and they will see your posts in the language you wrote them in. Your language choice is private to your account.
Can I set different languages for different parts of Facebook?
No. Facebook applies your language setting to the entire interface. You cannot set one language for messages and another for the news feed, for example. You can only change the language for your whole account at once.
What if the language I want is not in the list?
Facebook supports over 100 languages, but not every language in the world is available. If your language is not listed, you can report this to Facebook through their Help Center, but there is no way to add it yourself. You would need to use Facebook in one of the available languages.
Does changing my language change the language of emails Facebook sends me?
Yes. Notifications and emails from Facebook will be sent in the language you set in your account. If you change your language setting, future emails will arrive in the new language, though emails already sent will remain in the language they were sent in.
Can I change the language just for messages or just for notifications?
No. The Language setting in your account controls the entire Facebook interface, including messages, notifications, and all menus. There is no separate setting for individual features. If you need different languages for different purposes, you would need to change your account language each time.