Change Your Facebook Language in Settings

To change the language Facebook displays to you, go to the down arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page, select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, find Language and region and click it. Under Language, click the dropdown next to your current language, choose the language you want, and click Save changes. Facebook will reload in your new language within seconds.

This change affects only your account. Other people viewing your profile or your posts will see Facebook in whatever language they have set for themselves. If you post in English but your friend has Facebook set to Spanish, they will see the Facebook interface in Spanish, but your post text stays in English.

The language you choose here controls the buttons, menus, and labels on Facebook — not the content people post. If you switch to German, you will see Gefällt mir instead of Like, but a friend's English caption on a photo remains in English.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the down arrow menu in the top right, go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Language and region to find the language dropdown.
  • Your language choice changes only what you see on Facebook — the interface buttons and menu text — not the posts or messages other people send you.
  • Changing your language takes effect when ready and does not affect anyone else's account or how they see Facebook.
  • Facebook offers more than 100 languages, including regional variants like Brazilian Portuguese and Mexican Spanish.
  • If you change your mind, you can switch back to your original language using the same Settings path at any time.

Where to Find the Language Menu on Mobile

On the Facebook mobile app for iPhone or Android, the path is slightly different. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of your screen. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to find Language and tap it. Select your preferred language from the list and confirm.

The mobile app may take a moment longer to reload than the desktop version, but the change is permanent until you switch it again. If you use both the app and the website, changing the language on one does not automatically change it on the other — you may need to set it separately if you want the same language on both.

What Happens to Your Posts and Messages

Changing your language setting does not translate your old posts or messages. If you wrote a post in English and then switch Facebook to French, that post still appears in English to everyone, including you. The only things that change are the labels and buttons around the post — the Like button becomes J'aime, the Comment button becomes Commenter, and so on.

If you want to translate a post someone else wrote, Facebook offers a See translation option on some posts. This is separate from your language setting and works regardless of what language you have Facebook set to. Hover over or tap a post, look for the three dots menu, and if translation is available, you will see the option there.

Switching Between Multiple Languages

Facebook lets you set only one language at a time in your main settings. If you need to use Facebook in different languages regularly, the fastest way is to switch back and forth using the Settings menu — it takes about 30 seconds each time. Some people create a second Facebook account in a different language if they need to maintain a consistent experience, though this means managing two separate profiles and friend lists.

Another option is to use your browser's built-in translation tool. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all offer page translation features that can translate Facebook into any language your browser supports, even if Facebook does not officially offer that language. This does not change your account settings — it just translates what you see on screen — and you can turn it on or off for any page.

Troubleshooting Language Changes That Do Not Stick

If you change your language but Facebook keeps reverting to your old language, clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again. Sometimes stored data from your previous session can override a new setting. On Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac), select All time, check Cookies and other site data, and click Clear data. Then log back into Facebook and change your language again.

If you are using the mobile app and the language does not change, try closing the app completely and reopening it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom to close the app. On Android, go to Settings, find Facebook in your app list, and tap Force stop, then reopen the app. If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the app — this clears any corrupted settings files that might be preventing the change.

Regional Language Variants

Facebook offers not just languages but regional versions of some languages. For example, you can choose English (US), English (UK), or English (Australia). Spanish speakers can select Spanish (Spain) or Spanish (Mexico). Portuguese speakers can choose Portuguese (Brazil) or Portuguese (Portugal). These variants use different spellings, terms, and sometimes different translations of Facebook's own interface.

If you speak a language but are not sure which regional version to pick, start with the one closest to where you live or where you learned the language. You can always switch to a different variant using the same Settings path if the first choice does not feel right.

Languages Facebook Supports

Facebook supports over 100 languages, including major languages like Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Hindi, and Russian, as well as smaller regional languages. If your language does not appear in the dropdown, it may not be officially supported by Facebook yet. In that case, your best option is to use your browser's translation tool or keep Facebook in English.

Facebook's language list changes occasionally as the platform adds support for new languages or regional variants. If you are looking for a specific language and cannot find it, check back in a few months — the language you need may be added in a future update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my language affect what my friends see?

No. Your language setting changes only what you see on Facebook. Your friends will see Facebook in whatever language they have set for themselves, and your posts remain in the language you wrote them in.

Can I set different languages for different devices?

Yes. Your phone app and your computer can have different languages set. Change the language separately on each device using the Settings menu. Facebook stores the setting for each device independently.

What if I accidentally change my language to one I do not understand?

Go back to Settings and look for the option that looks like a globe or the word for "Language" in that language. The Settings menu is usually in the same location regardless of language. If you are stuck, use your browser's translation tool to translate the page back to English temporarily so you can navigate to the right menu.

Will changing my language change the language of ads I see?

Ads may change language to match your setting, but Facebook also targets ads based on your location and browsing history. An ad might appear in your chosen language, or it might appear in the language of the country you are in, depending on the advertiser's settings.

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

No, Facebook allows only one language per account at a time. You can switch between languages as often as you want, but only one will be active. If you need to use two languages regularly, use your browser's translation tool on top of your main language setting.