Change your Facebook language in settings

To change the language Facebook displays to you, go to the downward arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page, select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Language and region. Next to the language listed, click Edit, choose your preferred language from the dropdown menu, and click Save changes. Facebook will reload in your new language within seconds.

This change affects only your account. Other people viewing your profile or posts will see Facebook in whatever language they have set for themselves. If you change your mind, you can return to the same menu and switch back at any time — there is no limit to how many times you can change it.

The process is the same whether you are using Facebook on a computer or the mobile app, though the menu layout on mobile is slightly more compact. If you cannot find the language option, make sure you are logged into your own account and not viewing someone else's profile.

Key Takeaways

  • Language settings are found under Settings and privacy > Settings > Language and region, and you can change them in seconds.
  • Changing your language affects only what you see on your screen, not what other users see when they view your profile.
  • You can switch between languages as many times as you want with no restrictions or waiting period.
  • The same steps work on both desktop and mobile versions of Facebook.
  • If the language menu does not appear, verify you are logged into your own account rather than viewing another person's profile.

What happens to your posts and messages when you change the language

Changing your Facebook language does not translate your existing posts or messages. The text you have already written stays in whatever language you wrote it in. Only the Facebook interface — the buttons, menus, notifications, and labels — switches to your new language.

If you want to read a post someone wrote in another language, Facebook offers a See translation button that appears below posts in languages different from your setting. Clicking it shows a translation of that post, though the translation is done by an automated system and may not be perfect. The original post itself is not changed.

Choosing from Facebook's available languages

Facebook supports over 100 languages. When you click the language dropdown, you will see a list organized alphabetically. Common languages like English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, and Arabic appear near the top. Less commonly used languages are further down the list.

If you speak a language that is not on the list, you can still use Facebook in English or another available language. Facebook does add new languages periodically, but there is no way to request a specific language or to know when one might be added. You can check the full list by opening the language menu — what is available depends on your region and account type.

Fixing language settings if Facebook is in the wrong language

If you log in and Facebook is suddenly in a language you do not understand, you can still navigate to the settings menu by looking for the icon pattern rather than reading text. On a computer, look for the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page — it is usually the last icon on the right. On mobile, it is typically in the bottom right corner as a menu icon (three horizontal lines).

Once you tap or click that icon, look for the gear icon or settings symbol in the menu that appears. The gear icon is universal across languages. From there, you can find the language option by its position in the menu — it is usually near the top of the settings list. Select your correct language and save.

If you are still stuck, you can also log out and log back in. Sometimes Facebook will detect your device's system language and reset to that, though this is not may provide. The most reliable method is to navigate through the settings menu using the icon positions as your guide.

Using Facebook in multiple languages

You have one language setting per account, so you cannot have Facebook display in two languages at the same time. However, you can create multiple Facebook accounts if you want to use the platform in different languages — each account can have its own language setting.

If you regularly switch between languages, the fastest approach is to change your setting each time you want to switch. The process takes less than a minute once you know where the menu is. Some people bookmark the language settings page in their browser to make it even faster to access.

Language settings on Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger uses the same language setting as your main Facebook account. When you change the language in your Facebook settings, Messenger automatically switches to match. You do not need to change Messenger separately.

If Messenger is showing a different language than your main Facebook account, it usually means your settings did not save properly. Go back to Settings and privacy > Settings > Language and region, confirm your language is selected, and click Save changes again. Messenger should update within a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my language affect my friends or family who view my profile?

No. Your language setting is personal to your account only. When your friends or family visit your profile, they see Facebook in whatever language they have set for themselves. Changing your language does not change what anyone else sees.

Can I translate my old posts into a different language?

Facebook does not have a built-in tool to translate your own posts. The translation feature only works when reading other people's posts. If you want your posts in another language, you would need to rewrite them manually or use a separate translation tool and post the translated version as a new post.

What if my language is not in the Facebook dropdown menu?

If your language is not available, you can use Facebook in English or another language from the list. Facebook has over 100 languages but not every language in the world. You can check the full list by opening the language dropdown to see all options currently available to you.

Does changing my language change the language of ads I see?

Your Facebook language setting affects the language of the interface and some ad text, but Facebook also targets ads based on your location, interests, and browsing history. An ad might appear in a different language than your Facebook setting if it was created in that language by the advertiser.

Can I change the language just for Messenger without changing Facebook?

No. Messenger and Facebook share the same language setting. If you change one, the other changes automatically. There is no separate language menu for Messenger alone.