Where to Find Facebook's Language Settings
Facebook's language settings live in your account menu, not in a separate settings page. Open Facebook on any device, look for the downward-pointing arrow or menu icon in the top right corner, and select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On mobile, tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) at the bottom right, scroll down, and tap "Settings and privacy," then "Settings."
Once you're in Settings, look for the "Language and region" section on the left sidebar (desktop) or scroll down to find it (mobile). This is where you control what language Facebook displays to you. The change takes effect when ready across all your devices once you save it.
Key Takeaways
- Your language setting is in Settings and privacy > Settings > Language and region, accessible from the menu icon in the top right corner.
- Facebook offers over 100 languages, and you can change yours in seconds without affecting anyone else's account or posts.
- Changing your language setting does not translate posts from your friends — it only changes the buttons, menus, and labels you see.
- If you use Facebook in multiple languages, you can switch back and forth as often as you want by returning to the same menu.
Selecting a New Language from the List
When you click on "Language and region," you'll see a dropdown menu showing your current language. Click it to open a list of available languages. Facebook includes major languages like Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Arabic, and Hindi, as well as many regional and minority languages. Scroll through the list until you find the one you want, then click it to select.
The interface switches to your new language within seconds. All menus, buttons, and labels — like "Like," "Comment," "Share," and "Settings" — now appear in your chosen language. Your News Feed, messages, and notifications will also display in that language, though the actual posts your friends wrote remain in whatever language they posted them in.
What Changes and What Stays the Same
Changing your language setting affects only what you see on your own screen. It does not change the language of posts your friends wrote, comments on your posts, or messages people send you. If a friend posted in Spanish, it will still appear in Spanish in your feed, even if you've set Facebook to English.
Your profile, posts, and comments remain in whatever language you originally wrote them. Other people see your content in the language you posted it, not in their own language setting. The language change is personal to your account — it does not affect anyone else's experience of Facebook or how they see your profile.
Changing Language on Mobile Devices
On iPhone or Android, the process is nearly identical. Open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right corner, scroll down past your name and profile section, and tap "Settings and privacy." Then tap "Settings." Scroll down until you see "Language and region" and tap it.
Select your preferred language from the dropdown menu. The app will refresh and display everything in your new language. If you switch between devices — say, you use Facebook on your phone and your computer — you may need to change the language on each device separately, depending on your device's own language settings and how you've configured Facebook.
Switching Back to Your Original Language
If you change your language and want to switch back, follow the same steps: go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Language and region, click the dropdown, and select your original language. There is no limit to how many times you can change your language setting. Some people switch between languages depending on which device they're using or what they're doing on Facebook.
If you've changed the language and can't find the menu because you don't recognize the words, look for the icon that looks like a downward arrow or three dots in the top right corner of the page. Tap or click it, then look for the word that resembles "Settings" (it may look different in your new language). From there, the layout is the same regardless of language.
Using Facebook in Multiple Languages
Facebook does not have a built-in feature to display different languages on different devices automatically. However, you can manually switch your language each time you log in on a different device. Some people keep their phone set to one language and their computer set to another, then switch Facebook's language setting to match when they move between devices.
If you want Facebook to display in one language but your phone's operating system is set to another language, Facebook will usually follow your phone's system language by default. You can override this by going to Language and region and selecting a different language for Facebook specifically. This setting is tied to your Facebook account, not your device, so it will carry over if you log in on another phone or computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my language affect my friends' view of my profile?
No. Your language setting is personal to your account. Your friends will see your profile, posts, and comments in the language you originally wrote them, using their own language settings for the Facebook interface itself.
Can I set Facebook to display in a language my phone doesn't support?
Yes. Facebook's language setting is separate from your device's language. You can set Facebook to any of its supported languages regardless of what language your phone or computer is set to. Your device's keyboard may need to support that language if you want to type in it, but reading Facebook in a different language works on any device.
What happens to my messages if I change my language?
Messages you've already received stay in the language the sender wrote them. Changing your language setting does not translate old messages. The Facebook interface around your messages — like the "Message" button and menu options — will display in your new language, but the message text itself does not change.
If I change languages, will Facebook translate my posts for other people?
No. Your posts remain in the language you wrote them. Other people see your posts in that original language. Facebook does offer a translation tool on some posts (usually a "See translation" link), but that is separate from your language setting and is controlled by each individual user who reads your post.
Can I use Facebook in two languages at the same time?
Not simultaneously on one device. You can switch your language setting back and forth as often as you want, but only one language displays at a time. If you need to use Facebook in two languages regularly, you could log into two different accounts, each set to a different language.