How to Change the Language on an iPhone

Whether you are learning a new language and want to immerse yourself in it, or you accidentally handed your phone to a toddler who managed to switch your entire operating system into Mandarin, changing the language on an iPhone is incredibly simple. Apple has built-in support for dozens of languages and regional dialects (like distinguishing between UK English and US English).

You can change the primary language for the entire operating system, or you can simply add a secondary keyboard so you can type in another language without changing the menus.

How to Change the System Language

Changing the system language alters every single menu, app name, and system prompt on your device. (Note: If your phone is currently stuck in a language you cannot read, follow the icon descriptions below).

1. Open the Settings app (the icon looks like grey mechanical gears).
2. Scroll down and tap on General (the icon is a single grey gear with a white background).
3. Scroll down and tap on Language & Region (it is usually the fourth block of settings from the top).
4. At the very top of the screen, tap the blue text that says Add Language…
5. A massive list of languages will appear. You can use the search bar at the top, or scroll through the list to find the language you want. Tap it.
6. A prompt will pop up from the bottom of the screen asking which language you want to be your “Primary” language. Tap the bold red text to confirm your new choice.

The screen will instantly go black and display a message saying “Setting Language…” For about 5 to 10 seconds, the iPhone will rapidly reboot its internal user interface. When the screen wakes back up, the entire phone will be translated.

How to Switch Back (Or Reorder Languages)

If you look at the “Language & Region” menu, you will now see a list of “Preferred Languages.” The language at the absolute top of the list is the one the iPhone will use. If an app does not support your #1 language, it will automatically fall back to the #2 language on your list.

To switch back to your original language, simply tap and hold the three horizontal lines (the hamburger icon) next to your preferred language and drag it to the top of the list. The phone will instantly reboot the UI and translate back.

How to Change the Keyboard Language (Without Changing the Phone)

If you are a native English speaker but you are texting a relative in Spanish, you do not want your entire phone’s operating system to change to Spanish. You just want the Spanish keyboard (complete with the correct autocorrect dictionary and accents).

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Scroll down and tap on Keyboard.
4. Tap Keyboards at the very top of the screen.
5. Tap Add New Keyboard…
6. Select the language you want from the list (e.g., Spanish – Mexico).

How to Use the New Keyboard

Now that the keyboard is installed, you can switch to it instantly while typing.

1. Open any app where you can type (like Messages or Notes) and bring up the keyboard.
2. Look at the absolute bottom-left corner of the screen. You will see a new icon that looks like a Globe.
3. Tap the Globe icon once to instantly switch to the next language on your list. (The Spacebar will briefly display the name of the language).
4. If you want to see a list of all your installed keyboards, tap and hold the Globe icon. A menu will pop up allowing you to select exactly which keyboard you want to use.

To switch back to your primary language, just tap the Globe icon again.