Change your iPhone's language in Settings

Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap General. Scroll down and tap Language & Region. At the top, tap iPhone Language, then select the language you want from the list. Your iPhone will restart and display everything in that language.

The process takes less than a minute. Your apps, menus, and system messages will all switch to your chosen language. If you change your mind, you can reverse it the same way — just go back to Settings > General > Language & Region > iPhone Language and pick a different one.

Your personal files, photos, and documents don't change. Only the interface language changes. If you use multiple languages, you can also add a second language to your keyboard without changing your whole system language.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings > General > Language & Region > iPhone Language to see all available languages.
  • Selecting a new language will restart your iPhone and change all system text immediately.
  • You can switch back to your original language at any time using the same menu.
  • Adding a keyboard in a different language lets you type in multiple languages without changing your system language.
  • Your personal data, photos, and apps stay exactly as they are — only the interface text changes.

Add a keyboard in a different language without changing your system language

If you want to type in another language but keep your iPhone's menus in English, add a keyboard instead. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap Add New Keyboard. Scroll through the list and select the language you want. You can add as many keyboards as you need.

When you're typing, a globe icon appears on your keyboard. Tap it to switch between your keyboards. This is useful if you speak multiple languages at home or work but prefer your phone's system language to stay in one.

Change the language for individual apps

Some apps let you change their language separately from your iPhone's system language. Open the app, go to its settings or preferences, and look for a language option. Not all apps offer this — it depends on what the developer built in.

If an app doesn't have its own language setting, it will use whatever language your iPhone is set to. Changing your system language will change that app's language too.

What happens to Siri when you change your language

Siri switches to your new language automatically. If you change your iPhone to Spanish, Siri will respond in Spanish and understand Spanish commands. You can also set Siri to a different language than your system language if you want — go to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Language and pick a different one.

Some languages have different accents or dialects available. For example, Spanish offers options for Spain, Mexico, and other regions. When you select a language, you can choose which accent you prefer.

Change the region format separate from language

Your iPhone's region setting controls how dates, times, and numbers display — separate from what language everything is written in. You might want English text but dates formatted the way they're written in your country. Go to Settings > General > Language & Region and tap Region to change this without changing your language.

For example, you could have your iPhone in English but set your region to France, so dates show as 25/12/2024 instead of 12/25/2024. This doesn't change what language your apps or menus use.

Troubleshooting if your language won't change

If your iPhone doesn't restart after selecting a new language, or if the language doesn't actually change, try restarting your phone manually. Hold the power button and volume button together until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds, then hold the power button again until the Apple logo shows.

If you're still seeing the old language after restart, go back to Settings > General > Language & Region and confirm your choice was saved. Occasionally the selection doesn't stick on the first try. Select it again and wait for the restart to complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my iPhone's language affect my apps?

Most apps will switch to your new language automatically if they support it. Some apps only work in certain languages and won't change. Your personal data, messages, and photos stay exactly the same — only the text in menus and buttons changes.

Can I have two languages on my iPhone at the same time?

Your system language can only be one at a time, but you can add multiple keyboards so you can type in different languages. You can also add a second language to Siri separately from your system language by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Language.

What if my language isn't in the list?

iPhone supports most major languages, but not every language or dialect is available. If yours isn't listed, you can keep your system language as English and add a keyboard for typing in your language, or check if your language is available under a different name or region.

Does changing my language affect my Apple ID or iCloud?

No. Your Apple ID, iCloud account, and all your synced data remain unchanged. Only what you see on your screen changes. You can sign in and use all your accounts normally in any language.