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Whether you bought an imported phone, want to practice another language, or simply because English wasn’t the default language, changing the system language on Android is something everyone should know how to do. Here’s how to do it step by step, including tricks that most tutorials don’t mention.
Table of contents
Table of contents
Change the system language on Android step by step
The process is practically the same on all modern Android devices (version 10 and above), though the exact location may vary slightly by manufacturer. I’ll give you the general steps and then the specific differences for each brand.
Universal steps:
- Open Settings on your Android
- Look for the System section or Language & Input
- Tap Language
- You’ll see the current language at the top of the list
- Tap Add a language
- Search for the language you want in the list or use the search bar
- Select it and choose the regional variant if there are several
- To make it the primary language, long-press on it and drag it to the first position
Once done, the entire system will switch to the new language: settings, notifications, default keyboard, and most apps will adapt automatically. The process doesn’t require restarting the phone in most cases.
I switched my Android’s language to Spanish months ago to practice, and the transition was instant. The only thing that took a moment was the Gboard keyboard downloading the dictionary for the new language.
Pro-tip: Before changing the primary language, make sure you know how to get back to language settings in the new language. Note down or screenshot the path: Settings → System → Language. That way you won’t get stuck in a language you don’t understand.
Differences by phone brand
| Brand | Path in settings | Notable difference |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Settings > Language and input > Language | Direct option in main menu |
| Xiaomi | Settings > Additional settings > Language & region | Separates language and region |
| Google Pixel | Settings > System > Languages & input | Cleanest interface |
| Motorola | Settings > System > Languages | Same as Pixel |
| Huawei | Settings > System & updates > Language & region | Includes regional settings |
Add multiple languages on Android
Something many people don’t know is that you can have several languages configured simultaneously. Android will automatically switch between them based on context, which is super useful if you speak multiple languages.
To add a second language:
- Go to Settings > System > Languages
- Tap Add a language
- Select the additional language
- Don’t drag it to the first position if you don’t want it to be primary
Once you have multiple languages configured, Android will show a language selector on the keyboard (if you use Gboard) that lets you quickly switch between them while typing. This is great if you write messages in English and Spanish, for example.
You can also configure certain apps to use a different language than the system. This is especially useful for apps like Duolingo or work apps that you prefer in another language:
- Go to Settings > System > Languages
- Look for App languages (per-app language preferences)
- Select the app you want to configure
- Choose the specific language for that app
Pro-tip: If you use both English and Spanish a lot, configure both languages on your system. That way the keyboard autocorrect won’t correct English words when you’re typing in that language, and vice versa.
Most added languages on Android
| Language | Main use | Regional availability |
|---|---|---|
| English | International, work, apps | US, UK, Australia, India, etc. |
| French | Travel, work | France, Canada, Belgium |
| German | Work, study | Germany, Austria, Switzerland |
| Portuguese | Travel, communication | Brazil, Portugal |
| Chinese | Business, apps | Simplified, Traditional |
Change the keyboard language on Android
The keyboard language is independent of the system language. You can have your phone in English but type in Spanish without issues if you configure the keyboard correctly.
For Gboard (Google’s keyboard, which is the most used):
- Open any app where you can type
- When the keyboard appears, tap the gear icon ⚙️ or long-press the comma
- Select Languages
- Tap Add keyboard
- Search for and select the language you want to add
- Choose the keyboard type (QWERTY, AZERTY, etc.)
Once added, you can switch between languages by tapping the globe icon 🌐 that appears in the keyboard’s bottom bar. Each language has its own dictionary and predictive suggestions.
For SwiftKey, the process is similar: go to keyboard settings, select Languages, and add the ones you need. SwiftKey stands out because it predicts in all active languages simultaneously without needing to switch manually.
Pro-tip: Download dictionaries for each language for offline use. That way the autocorrect will work even without internet. In Gboard: Keyboard settings > Languages > tap the language > Download.
Language for specific apps
Many apps allow you to change their language independently of the system. This is useful if you want your phone in English but certain apps in another language to practice or because the English translation isn’t great.
Apps that allow individual language changes:
- Google Maps: App settings > Language preferences
- Google Assistant: Assistant settings > Language
- Instagram: Settings > Account > Language
- WhatsApp: WhatsApp settings > Chats > App language
- YouTube: Settings > General > Language
However, not all apps offer this option. Most simply follow the system language. If you change the system language, apps will adapt automatically.
Some apps even use the system language without the option to change it, which can be frustrating if you want one app in a language and the rest of the system in another. For those situations, Android 13 and later offers the per-app language option mentioned earlier.
Pro-tip: If you change the system language and an app doesn’t update, fully close the app (don’t just minimize it) and reopen it. If it still doesn’t change, clear that app’s cache in Settings > Apps > [App] > Storage > Clear cache.
Language settings for travelers and expats
If you’re traveling or living abroad, Android’s language settings can do more than just change the interface. They can help you navigate foreign environments, communicate better, and even save money on data.
Google Maps language: When you’re in a country with a different language, Google Maps can display place names in both the local language and your preferred language. Go to Google Maps > Settings > App language and set it to your language. Then enable “Show local place names in your language” so you can read street signs while understanding what the places are called in your language.
Google Translate integration: Download offline language packs for the country you’re visiting before you leave. Go to Google Translate, select the language pair, and tap the download icon. This way, you can translate menus, signs, and conversations without using mobile data.
Keyboard for multiple scripts: If you’re traveling to a country with a different alphabet (Japan, Korea, Arabic-speaking countries), add that keyboard layout to Gboard before your trip. It’s much easier to set up while you still have the interface in a language you understand.
Regional settings: Beyond language, check Settings > System > Languages > Region. This affects date formats, currency display, and temperature units. Setting the region correctly ensures apps show prices in local currency and dates in the format locals use.
Voice assistant language: If you use Google Assistant, you can set it to understand multiple languages. Go to Assistant settings > Languages and add your travel language. This is useful for asking directions or translating phrases by voice.
Pro-tip: Before traveling, practice navigating your phone’s settings in the local language for 10 minutes. If you accidentally switch the system language abroad, knowing where the language menu is without reading the labels will save you a lot of frustration.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the Android language without losing my data?
Yes, changing the system language doesn’t affect your data, photos, apps, or settings. It only changes the interface language. Everything on your phone remains intact.
What do I do if I changed the language and can’t understand anything?
Go to Settings (the gear icon), look for the option that looks like a globe or the word “System” (if it’s in English). Inside, look for “Language.” If you can’t find it, use the search bar in Settings and type “language.”
Does the system language affect call language?
No, the system language only affects your phone’s interface. Phone calls work the same regardless of the configured language. What does change is the language of assistant services like Google Assistant.
Can I set Android to a language not in the list?
Android supports a large number of languages, but if yours doesn’t appear, you can install additional language packs from Google Play or use third-party apps that add languages to the system. This is more common for minority languages or dialects.
Conclusion
Changing the system language on Android is a simple process that opens up many possibilities: from changing your imported phone’s language to configuring multiple languages to boost your productivity.
My recommendation: if you speak more than one language, configure both on your Android and take advantage of Android 13+‘s per-app language feature. It’ll give you flexibility you didn’t even know you needed. What language is your Android set to? Have you tried using it in another language?