Where to find language settings on Facebook

Facebook's language setting lives in your account settings, not in a general preferences menu. The fastest way to reach it is to click the downward arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page (on desktop) or tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right (on mobile), then select Settings and privacy, then Settings.

Once you are in Settings, look for the Language section in the left sidebar on desktop. On mobile, scroll down until you see it — it usually appears near the top of the list. Click or tap on Language and you will see a dropdown menu showing your current language and a list of all available languages Facebook supports.

Key Takeaways

  • Language settings are found in Settings and privacy > Settings > Language on both desktop and mobile.
  • Facebook supports over 100 languages, and changing your language setting updates all menus, buttons, and notifications when ready.
  • Your language choice does not affect the language of posts or messages from other people — only Facebook's own interface.
  • You can change your language back at any time by returning to the same menu, even if you cannot read the current interface.

Selecting a new language from the dropdown

When you click or tap on the Language field, a dropdown menu appears with languages listed alphabetically. Scroll through the list to find the language you want. Languages are usually shown in both English and in the language itself — for example, you might see "Spanish (Español)" or "French (Français)".

Once you find the language you want, click or tap on it. Facebook saves your choice when ready — you do not need to click a separate "Save" button. Within seconds, all of Facebook's text, buttons, menu labels, and notifications will switch to your chosen language.

What changes and what does not

When you change your language setting, Facebook updates everything it controls: the names of buttons like "Like" and "Share", menu labels, notification text, and error messages. Your News Feed will still show posts from your friends in whatever language they wrote them — changing your setting does not translate other people's content.

Messages you receive from friends stay in the language they sent them. If a friend messages you in Spanish and you change your Facebook language to English, the message remains in Spanish. Facebook's own interface — the parts Facebook wrote — switches to English, but user-generated content does not.

Changing language on mobile devices

On iPhone or Android, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down until you see Language and tap it.

The language list appears as a scrollable menu. Tap the language you want, and Facebook switches when ready. If you are looking for a less common language, scroll slowly — the list is long and alphabetical order can be straightforward to overshoot on a small screen.

Reverting to your original language if you cannot read the interface

If you accidentally change to a language you do not read, you can still change it back without understanding the menus. On desktop, look for the downward arrow in the top right corner — this icon is the same in every language. Click it, then look for the gear icon (⚙️), which opens Settings in any language.

Once in Settings, the Language option is usually the first or second item in the left sidebar, and the word "Language" looks similar across many languages. If you are stuck, you can also visit facebook.com/language.php directly — this page takes you straight to the language selector, bypassing the need to navigate menus you cannot read.

Regional and dialect options

Some languages offer multiple regional versions. Spanish, for example, might show as "Spanish (Spain)" and "Spanish (Latin America)" — these use different vocabulary and spelling conventions. When you click on a language that has regional options, Facebook shows you the available choices.

Choose the version that matches where you live or the dialect you speak. You can change between regional versions the same way you change languages — just return to the Language menu and select a different version. The change takes effect when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my language affect what my friends see?

No. Your language setting is personal to your account. Your friends see Facebook in whatever language they have chosen for themselves. When they look at your profile or read your posts, they see their own language setting, not yours.

Will changing my language translate my old posts?

No. Your posts remain in the language you wrote them. Changing your Facebook language setting only changes the interface — the menus, buttons, and labels. It does not translate content you or anyone else has posted.

Can I use different languages on different devices?

Yes. If you log into Facebook on your phone and set it to Spanish, and then log in on your computer and set it to French, each device will show that language. Facebook remembers your choice per device, so you can use different languages on different phones or computers if you want.

What if my language is not in the list?

Facebook supports over 100 languages, but not every language in the world. If your language is not available, you can request it through Facebook's Help Center, though there is no may provide it will be added. In the meantime, you can choose a related language or use English.

Does changing language affect my privacy settings or data?

No. Language is purely a display setting. Your privacy settings, data, and account security remain exactly the same no matter what language you choose. Changing language does not log you out or affect any of your account information.