How to Change the Language on a Mac

Macs are designed for a global audience. Whether you purchased a MacBook in a foreign country, share the computer with a bilingual relative, or are actively studying a new language and want total immersion, Apple allows you to change the entire operating system’s language without reinstalling macOS.

Changing the primary language alters everything on the computer. The Apple menu, the Finder, system settings, built-in apps like Safari and Mail, and even most third-party applications downloaded from the App Store will instantly translate to the newly selected language.

How to Change the Primary System Language

macOS handles languages through a prioritized list. You must add the new language to the list and then drag it to the very top to make it the primary display language.

1. Click the Apple Logo () in the top-left corner of the menu bar.
2. Select System Settings (or System Preferences on macOS Monterey and older).
3. Scroll down the left-hand sidebar and click on General.
4. In the right-hand panel, click on Language & Region.
5. Look at the top section labeled “Preferred Languages.” You will likely only see your current language (e.g., English) listed here.
6. Click the small “+” (Plus) button directly underneath the Preferred Languages list.
7. A massive list of supported languages will appear. Use the search bar or scroll to find the language you want (e.g., Español, Français, Japanese).
8. Select the language and click Add.
9. A dialog box will pop up asking: “Would you like to use [New Language] as your primary language?”
10. Click the blue button labeled “Use [New Language].”

Crucial Final Step: You will notice the new language is now at the top of the list, but the computer hasn’t translated yet. To apply the massive system-wide translation, you must restart the computer. Close all your open applications, click the Apple Logo, and select Restart.

How to Change the Language for Only ONE Specific App

Sometimes you don’t want the entire computer translated. Perhaps you are a developer testing a localized app, or you are writing a letter in French using Microsoft Word, but you still want the rest of your Mac to remain in English.

macOS provides a brilliant, granular feature allowing you to assign a specific language to a single application.

1. Return to System Settings > General > Language & Region.
2. Scroll down to the very bottom of the window, past the Region settings, until you see a section labeled Applications.
3. Click the “+” (Plus) button under this list.
4. A pop-up will appear. In the “Application” dropdown, select the specific app you want to translate (e.g., Safari).
5. In the “Language” dropdown, select the new language (e.g., French).
6. Click Add.

Now, the moment you open Safari, all of its menus, buttons, and preferences will be entirely in French, while the rest of your Mac remains perfectly untouched in English.