Where to Find Language Settings on Facebook
Facebook's language setting lives in your account settings, not in a separate preferences menu. The fastest way to reach it is to click the downward arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings. From there, click Language and region in the left sidebar.
If you're on a mobile phone, tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the bottom right corner, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, then scroll until you see Language and region.
The language you choose here controls the words Facebook uses throughout your account — menu labels, button text, notifications, and messages from Facebook itself. It does not change the language of posts your friends write; those stay in whatever language your friends posted them in.
Key Takeaways
- Language settings are found under Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Language and region — not in a separate preferences area.
- Changing your language affects only Facebook's interface, not the content your friends post or the messages they send you.
- Facebook offers over 100 languages, and you can switch between them at any time without losing your account or data.
- On mobile, use the three-line menu icon at the bottom right to reach Settings and privacy, then follow the same path as desktop.
- If you accidentally change to a language you don't read, you can change it back using the same steps — the menu icons look the same in every language.
Steps to Change Your Language on Desktop
Open Facebook in a web browser and log in if you're not already logged in. Look for the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page, next to your profile picture. Click it to open a dropdown menu.
From the dropdown, select Settings and privacy. A submenu will appear; click Settings. You'll be taken to your Settings page, which shows a list of categories on the left side. Scroll down or look for Language and region and click it.
Under the Language section, you'll see your current language listed. Click the Edit button next to it. A list of available languages will appear. Find the language you want and click it. Facebook will when ready switch to that language, and the change is saved automatically — you don't need to click a separate Save button.
Steps to Change Your Language on Mobile
Open the Facebook app on your phone. At the bottom right of the screen, you'll see a three-line menu icon (sometimes called a hamburger menu). Tap it to open the main menu.
Scroll down through the menu until you see Settings and privacy. Tap it, then tap Settings from the submenu that appears. You'll see a list of settings categories. Scroll down until you find Language and region and tap it.
Tap the Edit button next to your current language. A list of languages will appear. Scroll through it to find the language you want, then tap it. The change happens when ready, and your phone will update Facebook's interface to match your choice.
What Languages Are Available
Facebook supports over 100 languages, including major languages like Spanish, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Portuguese, and Hindi. It also includes many regional and minority languages. The exact list available to you depends on your location and device, but the most widely spoken languages are always included.
If you don't see your language in the list, it may not be available yet. Facebook adds new languages over time, but some smaller languages are not yet supported. If you're looking for a specific language and can't find it, you can check Facebook's help center or try searching the language list by typing the first few letters of the language name — most language pickers have a search function.
Changing Back to Your Original Language
If you accidentally switched to a language you don't read, you can change it back using the same steps, even if you can't read the menu labels. The icons and layout are the same in every language. Look for the downward arrow in the top right corner (desktop) or the three-line menu icon at the bottom right (mobile), and follow the same path: Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Language and region, then Edit.
Once you click Edit, the language list appears with the names of languages written in their own script. If you know what your language looks like when written (for example, if you want English, look for the word "English"), you can find it and click it. If you're not sure, you can also try clicking languages one by one until Facebook switches to one you recognize.
Why Your Language Setting Might Reset
In rare cases, Facebook may reset your language setting to match your device's language or your location. This usually happens after a major app update or if you clear your browser cache. If this happens, straightforward follow the steps above to change it back to your preferred language.
If you change your device's system language (in your phone or computer settings), Facebook may automatically switch to match it. This is not a bug — it's Facebook detecting that your device language changed. You can override it by setting your Facebook language again using the steps above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my language affect my friends' posts or messages?
No. Your language setting only changes how Facebook's interface appears to you. Posts and messages from your friends stay in whatever language they wrote them in. If a friend posts in Spanish and you set Facebook to English, the post will still be in Spanish.
Can I use different languages on different devices?
Yes. Your language setting is tied to your account, but each device can have its own setting. If you set Facebook to Spanish on your phone and English on your computer, each device will remember its own choice. When you log in on a new device, it may default to your device's system language until you change it.
What if I can't find my language in the list?
Facebook supports over 100 languages, but not every language is available. If your language isn't listed, you can check Facebook's help center to see if it's planned for future release. In the meantime, you can use a language that's close to yours or that you read well.
Does changing my language affect my privacy settings?
No. Language is a display setting only. It doesn't change who can see your posts, your privacy level, or any of your account security settings. Those remain exactly as you set them.
Can I set different languages for different parts of Facebook?
No. Facebook uses one language setting for your entire account. When you change your language, it applies to all menus, buttons, notifications, and messages from Facebook across the site or app.