Change your iPhone's system language in Settings
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap General, then tap Language & Region. At the top, you'll see iPhone Language — tap it to see all available languages. Select the language you want, and your iPhone will restart to apply the change.
The entire system switches: menus, notifications, keyboard, and built-in apps like Mail, Messages, and Calendar all display in your chosen language. This change takes effect immediately after the restart, which usually takes 30 seconds to a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings > General > Language & Region > iPhone Language to change your system language.
- Your iPhone will restart when you select a new language, and all system text will switch to that language.
- You can set a different region separately from language, which affects date and time formats, currency, and measurement units.
- Third-party apps may not switch languages automatically — many apps have their own language settings inside the app itself.
- If you change your language by mistake, you can return to Settings and switch back the same way.
What happens when you change your iPhone language
When you select a new language, your iPhone restarts and displays everything in that language. This includes the Settings app itself, so if you change to a language you don't read, you may need to navigate by memory or by the position of icons until you switch back.
The change affects system text only. Third-party apps — like Instagram, TikTok, or banking apps — may or may not switch languages. Many apps follow your iPhone's language setting automatically, but some have their own language menu buried in their settings. Check inside each app if you need it in a specific language.
Setting your region separately from language
Language and region are two separate settings. You can speak English but live in Japan, or speak French but live in Canada. Your region setting controls date format (MM/DD/YYYY versus DD/MM/YYYY), time format (12-hour versus 24-hour), currency symbol, and measurement units (miles versus kilometers).
To change your region without changing your language, go to Settings > General > Language & Region and tap Region. Select your country or region from the list. Your language stays the same, but dates, times, and measurements adjust to match that region's standard format.
Changing the keyboard language
Your iPhone keyboard language is separate from your system language. You can type in multiple languages even if your system language is English. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap Add New Keyboard to add a second or third language keyboard.
Once you add a keyboard, a globe icon appears on your keyboard when you're typing. Tap it to switch between languages. This is useful if you speak multiple languages or need to type in a language different from your system language.
What to do if your iPhone is in a language you don't understand
If you accidentally changed your language to one you can't read, you can still navigate back. Open Settings (the gear icon, usually in the bottom right of your home screen). Tap the second item in the list — this is General. Tap the third item — this is Language & Region. Tap the first item — this is iPhone Language. Scroll to find your language and tap it.
If you're unsure which icon is Settings, look for a gear symbol. If you're completely lost, you can also connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes or Finder, back up your data, and restore your iPhone to factory settings, then set it up again in your preferred language.
Languages available on iPhone
Apple offers over 40 languages on iPhone, including English (US, UK, Australia, Canada, India), Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Russian, and many others. The exact list depends on your iPhone model and iOS version, but most major languages are available.
If you don't see your language in the list, your iPhone may not support it as a system language. You can still add it as a keyboard language for typing, or you can change individual apps' language settings if they offer that option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my iPhone language affect my apps?
Most apps will switch to your new language automatically if they support it. However, some apps have their own language setting that overrides your system language. Open each app and look in its settings menu if you need it in a specific language.
Can I use two languages on my iPhone at the same time?
Your system language can only be one at a time, but you can add multiple keyboard languages. You can also set Siri to respond in a different language than your system language by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Language.
What if I change my language and can't find Settings?
Settings is always the gear icon. Look for it on your home screen or in your app library. If you're completely lost, you can restore your iPhone using a computer and set it up again in your preferred language.
Does changing my language affect my data or files?
No. Changing your language only changes how text appears on your screen. Your photos, messages, contacts, and all other data remain exactly the same.
Can I change the language for just one app?
Yes, many apps have their own language setting. Open the app, go to its settings or preferences menu, and look for a language option. Not all apps offer this, but most major apps do.