How to Change Language for a Specific App on Android

Ever wanted Instagram in Spanish but your system in English? Or maybe you prefer certain productivity tools in a different language from your phone’s default? I’ve been doing this for years — keeping my system in English but switching specific apps to other languages for better translations. Changing the language of a specific app on Android without touching the system language has been possible since Android 13, and it’s incredibly useful.

Table of contents

Change app language on Android 13 and above

Starting with Android 13, Google added a native per-app language feature. It’s the cleanest way to do this without any extra apps. I use it constantly and it works flawlessly.

Steps on stock Android (Pixel, Motorola, etc.)

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to System > Languages > App languages.
3. You’ll see a list of your installed apps.
4. Select the app you want to change.
5. Choose the desired language from the list.

That’s it. The app will now display in that language while the rest of your system stays the same. No restart needed.

Steps on Samsung (One UI)

Samsung implemented this feature slightly differently:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to General management > Language and input > App languages.
3. Find the app in question.
4. Tap it and select the language.

Samsung was a bit late to add this feature, so make sure you have One UI 5.0 or above.

Pro-tip: If you don’t see the per-app language option, your Android version is likely below 13. In that case, you’ll need alternative methods described below.

Change app language on Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO (HyperOS)

Xiaomi and its HyperOS ecosystem also support this feature, though the menu path may vary by version:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Additional settings > Language & region.
3. Look for “App language” or a similar option.
4. Select the app and the language.

If you can’t find the exact option, try Settings > Apps > Manage apps, select the app, and look for a language setting within the app’s individual configuration.

How to do it if your phone doesn’t support per-app languages

Here’s the interesting part. If your phone runs Android 12 or below, or if the manufacturer didn’t implement the feature, you have alternatives.

Using Language Switcher app

Language Switcher is a free app from the Play Store that lets you force the language of individual apps:

1. Download Language Switcher from the Play Store.
2. Open the app and grant the necessary permissions.
3. Find the app you want to change.
4. Select the language.
5. The app will restart in the new language.

It works quite well, though it’s not compatible with 100% of apps. Some apps that use their own internal translation system sometimes ignore this setting.

Using Developer Options

Another option is to use developer settings, though this is more technical:

1. Enable Developer Options (go to Settings > About phone > tap “Build number” 7 times).
2. Enter Developer Options.
3. Look for the “Simulate app” or similar option.

Warning: Developer options can affect system performance if you change something you shouldn’t. Use with caution and only if you know what you’re doing.

Comparison table of methods

Apps that usually cause problems

Not all apps respond well to language changes. These are the ones that have given me the most trouble:

WhatsApp

WhatsApp tends to respect the system language and doesn’t always obey the per-app language setting. If you want WhatsApp in a different language, changing the keyboard language is sometimes easier than the app itself.

Instagram

Instagram works fine with Android’s native feature but takes a few seconds to apply the change. Sometimes you need to close and reopen it.

Google Maps

Maps works perfectly with per-app language change. You can even have the interface in one language and voice directions in another, which is great for practicing languages while driving.

Using language change for language learning

One of the best uses of this feature that almost nobody thinks of: partial digital immersion. Instead of changing your entire system to another language (which can be frustrating), you only change the apps you use for leisure.

My personal setup:

• System and productivity apps: in English (my main language).
• Instagram, YouTube, and Netflix: in Spanish (to practice effortlessly).
• Duolingo: in French (a language I’m learning).

Why does it work? Your brain gets used to reading “Me gusta”, “Compartir”, “Comentar” on Instagram without you realizing it. These are words you see dozens of times a day. Within a few weeks, you’ve internalized them without studying anything.

Apps ideal for immersion:

• Instagram and TikTok: simple interface, repetitive vocabulary.
• Netflix: change the app language and subtitles to your target language.
• Spotify: the interface is short and direct.
• Word games: games like Wordle or crosswords in your target language are great.

Apps I DON’T recommend changing:

• Banking apps: if you don’t fully understand the language, you could make mistakes with transactions.
• Emergency apps: you need to understand them perfectly in an urgent situation.

Pro-tip: Don’t change all your apps at once. Start with one, get used to it for a week, then add another. Changing everything at once can be overwhelming and you end up going back to your original language.

Languages other than English: how well does it work?

The per-app language feature doesn’t just depend on Android, but on each app having been translated into that language. Here’s what I’ve found:

Languages very well supported: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (simplified and traditional). Practically all major apps have these languages.

Languages with partial support: Arabic, Hindi, Turkish, Polish, Dutch. Major apps have them, but translations are sometimes automatic or low quality.

Languages with limited support: Catalan, Basque, Galician, Romanian, Greek. Very few apps offer these languages. If you try to switch to Catalan in an app that doesn’t support it, it simply won’t appear in the list of available languages.

Accessibility and language: making apps easier to use

Changing the app language isn’t just about preference or learning — it can be a genuine accessibility feature:

For multilingual families: If your household speaks multiple languages, each family member can have apps in their preferred language on shared devices like tablets. The kids can have games in Spanish while you keep your email in English.

For elderly users: Older family members who are more comfortable in their native language can have apps in that language even if the phone’s system is in another. This reduces confusion and makes technology more accessible to them.

For vision-impaired users: Some languages have better screen reader support than others. If your native language has poor text-to-speech quality, switching certain apps to English (which has the best TTS support) can improve the experience significantly.

FAQ

Does changing the language affect my app data?

No, absolutely not. Only the visual interface changes. Your data, settings, and account remain intact.

Can I have multiple apps in different languages simultaneously?

Yes, that’s exactly the point. You can have Instagram in French, Gmail in English, and the rest of your system in Spanish without any issues.

Does it work with system apps like Settings or Phone?

No, the feature only affects third-party apps downloaded from the Play Store. System apps follow the global language.

Conclusion

Changing the language of a specific app on Android is a feature many people don’t know about but is incredibly useful. Whether for practicing a language, using apps with better translations, or simply personal preference, having this option available makes a real difference. Try it with one app today and see how easy it is to configure each application to your liking.