Change your iPad's display language in Settings

Open Settings on your iPad home screen, then tap General. Scroll down and tap Language & Region. At the top, you'll see iPad Language with your current language listed. Tap it, choose your preferred language from the list, and tap Done. Your iPad will restart and display everything in the new language.

The process takes less than a minute. Your apps, menus, and system messages will all switch to the language you selected. Some apps may still display in English if they don't support your chosen language, but Apple's built-in apps and most major third-party apps will follow your system setting.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings > General > Language & Region > iPad Language to change your system language.
  • Your iPad will restart after you select a new language, and all system menus will switch immediately.
  • You can add a second language in the same menu under Other Languages if you want to switch between two languages without restarting.
  • Some apps may not support all languages, so they might stay in English even after you change your system language.
  • You can change your language back at any time using the same steps, even if you don't recognize the menu names in your current language.

Add a secondary language without restarting

If you want to use two languages and switch between them quickly, you don't have to restart your iPad each time. In the same Language & Region menu, scroll down to Other Languages and tap the plus icon. Select a second language from the list and tap Done.

Once you've added a second language, you can switch between them using Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, look for a button labeled with your current language (like "English" or "Español"), and tap it to toggle to your other language. This keeps your primary language active while letting you use the secondary one when you need it.

Change the keyboard language separately

Your keyboard language doesn't have to match your system language. If your iPad is set to English but you want to type in Spanish, you can add a Spanish keyboard without changing your entire system. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, and select the language you want to type in.

When you're typing, a globe icon appears at the bottom of your keyboard. Tap it to cycle through your available keyboards. This is useful if you live in a bilingual household or work in multiple languages — you can keep your menus in one language while typing in another.

Change the region for dates, times, and currency

Region is separate from language and controls how your iPad displays dates, times, phone numbers, and currency. You might want English menus but European date formatting, for example. In Settings > General > Language & Region, tap Region and choose your location.

This setting doesn't change your language — it only changes the format. A date might display as 12/25/2024 in the United States but 25/12/2024 in the United Kingdom, even though both are in English. You can set your language and region independently to match however you prefer to see information.

Troubleshoot if menus are in an unfamiliar language

If you accidentally changed your language and can't read the menu names, you can still navigate back. Open Settings (the gear icon), tap the second item in the list (which is General in any language), then tap the fifth or sixth item down (which is Language & Region). Tap the first option under that heading and select your preferred language.

If you're unsure which option is which, the Settings app uses the same icon order in every language, so you can count down from the top. Alternatively, you can ask Siri to change your language by saying "Change my language to English" — Siri will understand even if your menus are in another language.

What happens to your apps and data when you change language

Changing your language does not delete any of your data, apps, or settings. Your photos, messages, documents, and everything else stays exactly where it is. Only the text labels in menus and system messages switch to your new language.

Some apps store their own language setting separately from your system language. If an app stays in English after you change your iPad's language, you may need to change the language inside that app itself. Open the app, go to its settings (usually found by tapping a gear icon or menu button), and look for a language option there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my language affect my Apple ID or iCloud account?

No. Your Apple ID and iCloud account are tied to your email address and password, not your language setting. You can change your iPad's language as many times as you want without affecting your account. Your data will sync normally to iCloud regardless of what language your iPad displays.

Can I use multiple languages at the same time?

Your system language can only be one at a time, but you can add multiple keyboards and switch between them while typing. You can also add a secondary language in Language & Region and toggle between them using Control Center. Some apps let you set their own language independently from your system language.

What if my language isn't in the list?

iPad supports over 40 languages, but not every language in the world. If your language isn't listed, check if a regional variant is available — for example, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese are separate options. If it's still not there, you may need to use English or another available language.

Do I need to restart my iPad after changing the language?

Your iPad will restart automatically when you change your main system language. This usually takes 30 seconds to a minute. If you add a secondary language instead, no restart is needed — you can switch between them instantly using Control Center.

Will changing my language change the language on my other Apple devices?

No. Each device has its own language setting. Your iPhone, Mac, and iPad can all be set to different languages independently. If you want them to match, you'll need to change each one separately in its own Settings app.