Change your Facebook language in three steps

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to find Language and region, click Language, and choose your preferred language from the list. Facebook will refresh immediately in your new language.

The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a computer or the mobile app. If you cannot find the language option, make sure you are logged in to your account — the settings menu only appears when you are signed in. You do not need to restart the app or browser; the change takes effect as soon as you select a new language.

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook language settings are found under Settings and privacy > Settings > Language and region > Language on both desktop and mobile.
  • Your language choice affects only what you see on your screen and does not change what language your friends see on their screens.
  • Facebook supports over 100 languages, and you can change your language setting at any time without affecting your account or data.
  • Changing your language does not change the language of messages or posts other people have written — only the Facebook interface itself changes.
  • If you select a language you cannot read, you can still navigate back to the language menu using the same menu path to switch again.

Where to find the language menu on desktop

Log into Facebook on your computer. In the top right corner, you will see a downward-pointing arrow or your profile picture. Click it to open a dropdown menu. Select Settings and privacy from the list that appears.

On the next page, click Settings. You will see a menu on the left side with several options. Scroll down until you see Language and region. Click on it, then click the Language option. A list of available languages will appear — select the one you want to use. The page will reload, and your entire Facebook interface will display in your new language.

How to change language on the Facebook mobile app

Open the Facebook app on your phone. Tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or the top right corner on Android. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings.

Scroll down to Language and region and tap Language. Select your preferred language from the list. The app will update immediately, and all menus, buttons, and labels will appear in your new language the next time you open Facebook. You may need to close and reopen the app to see the full change reflected across all screens.

What happens when you change your language

Changing your language setting affects only what you see on your screen. The words in your own posts, comments, and messages do not change — if you wrote something in English, it stays in English for everyone who reads it. Only the Facebook buttons, menu labels, and interface text switch to your new language.

Your language choice is private to your account. Other people cannot see what language you have selected, and your choice does not affect what language appears on their screens. Each person sees Facebook in whatever language they have chosen for themselves. This means you and a friend can be looking at the exact same post but seeing different menu labels and button text.

Switching back to a different language

You can change your language as many times as you want. Follow the same steps — go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Language and region > Language — and select a different language. The change takes effect immediately, and you do not lose any data or settings when you switch.

If you accidentally selected a language you do not read, you can still navigate back to the language menu using the same path, even if you cannot read the words. The menu structure stays the same regardless of language, so you can click through the same locations to find the language option again. The icons and layout remain consistent, making it possible to find your way back.

Languages Facebook supports

Facebook offers more than 100 languages, including major languages like Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, and Japanese. It also supports many regional and minority languages. If you do not see your language in the list, Facebook may not yet support it, but the company adds new languages periodically as translations are completed.

Some languages may have incomplete translations for newer features, meaning a few buttons or labels might still appear in English. This is normal and usually resolves as translations are completed. You can still use Facebook fully in any supported language, and incomplete translations do not prevent you from accessing any part of the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Facebook in multiple languages at the same time?

No. Your account has one language setting, and Facebook displays in that language. You cannot set different languages for different parts of the app. If you need to switch languages frequently, you will need to change your setting each time through the language menu.

Will changing my language affect my friends' experience?

No. Your language setting is personal to your account only. Your friends will continue to see Facebook in whatever language they have chosen, and they will not know you changed yours.

What if I cannot find my language in the list?

If your language is not available, you can use Facebook in English or another supported language. You can also contact Facebook through their help center to request support for a language that is missing. Requests do not may provide a language will be added, but Facebook does consider user feedback.

Does changing language change the language of messages people sent me?

No. Messages are written in whatever language the sender used. Changing your Facebook language only changes the interface — buttons, menus, and labels. The actual content of messages, posts, and comments stays in the language the person who wrote them chose.

Can I change my language on Facebook Messenger separately?

Messenger uses the same language setting as your main Facebook account. If you change your Facebook language, Messenger will change to match. You cannot set them to different languages.