Change the system language in Settings
Open your Chromebook and click the time in the bottom right corner. Select the gear icon to open Settings. In the left menu, click Advanced, then scroll down to find Languages and inputs. Click that section to expand it.
Under "Languages," you'll see your current language listed. Click Add languages to see the full list of available languages. Find the language you want, click it, and then click Add. The new language now appears in your Languages list.
Once the language is added, hover over it and click the three dots that appear on the right. Select Display Chromebook in this language. A popup will ask you to confirm — click Restart. Your Chromebook will restart and display everything in the new language.
Key Takeaways
- The language setting is in Settings > Advanced > Languages and inputs, not in a separate language menu.
- You must add a language to your Chromebook before you can set it as the display language.
- Changing the display language requires a restart, which takes one to two minutes.
- Your Google Account language and your Chromebook's display language are separate settings — changing one does not change the other.
- You can keep multiple languages installed and switch between them without removing the old one.
What happens to your apps and websites
When you change your Chromebook's display language, the system menus, notifications, and keyboard layout all switch to the new language. Built-in apps like Files, Settings, and the Chrome browser's interface will display in your chosen language.
Websites you visit may also detect your new language setting and display in that language automatically — but not always. Some websites ignore your system language and show content based on your location or your Google Account settings instead. You can override this by changing the language in individual websites' settings, or by using Chrome's translation feature to translate a page on the fly.
Apps you've installed from the Google Play Store will display in the new language if the app developer has translated it. If an app has no translation for your language, it will remain in English or whatever language it was originally built in.
Change the language for just your Google Account
If you want to change the language for your Google Account without changing your Chromebook's display language, go to myaccount.google.com in Chrome. Click Personal info in the left menu, then scroll down to find Language. Click it and choose your preferred language from the dropdown.
This change affects Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and other Google services when you're signed in — but it does not change the language your Chromebook displays. Your Chromebook will still show menus and system messages in whatever language you set in Settings.
Add a keyboard layout for your new language
Changing the display language does not automatically change your keyboard layout. If you want to type in your new language, you need to add an input method. In Settings, go to Advanced > Languages and inputs, then click Inputs and assistants.
Click Add input methods and find the keyboard layout or input method for your language. Some languages have multiple options — for example, Chinese has Pinyin, Zhuyin, and handwriting input. Select the one you want and click Add. Once it's added, you can switch between keyboard layouts by clicking the keyboard icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, or by pressing Ctrl + Space.
Switch back to your original language
Go back to Settings > Advanced > Languages and inputs. Find your original language in the list, hover over it, click the three dots, and select Display Chromebook in this language. Click Restart when prompted. Your Chromebook will restart and return to your original language.
The language you switched away from remains installed on your Chromebook — it does not get removed. You can switch back and forth between languages as many times as you want without adding or removing anything.
Troubleshooting language changes that don't stick
If you change your display language but it reverts to English after restart, your Chromebook may not have completed the restart properly. Try the process again, and this time wait for the restart to finish completely before using your device. Do not close the lid or turn off the Chromebook during the restart.
If you're using a Chromebook managed by a school or workplace, your administrator may have locked the language setting. In that case, you won't see the option to change it. Contact your administrator to request a language change, or ask whether you can change the language for your Google Account instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my Chromebook's language affect my files or data?
No. Your files, photos, documents, and all saved data remain exactly as they are. Only the language used to display menus, buttons, and system messages changes. You can switch languages back and forth without any risk to your files.
Can I use two languages at the same time?
Your Chromebook displays in one language at a time, but you can install multiple languages and switch between them. You can also add multiple keyboard layouts so you can type in different languages without changing your display language. Use Ctrl + Space to switch keyboards.
What if my language isn't in the list?
Chromebooks support over 100 languages, but not every language or dialect is available. If you don't see your language, the closest related language may be your best option. You can also change your Google Account language separately, which affects Google services even if your Chromebook displays in a different language.
Does changing my Chromebook's language change the language on websites I visit?
Some websites detect your system language and display accordingly, but many ignore it. Websites often use your location, your Google Account language, or your browser history to decide what language to show. You can usually change the language within each website's settings, or use Chrome's built-in translation tool to translate any page.