How to Change Language on Facebook (Any Device, Any Version)
Facebook is used in dozens of languages worldwide, and switching between them is straightforward — once you know where to look. The tricky part is that the steps differ depending on whether you're using the mobile app, a desktop browser, or the Lite version of the app. Your current language setting also affects what the menus say, which can make navigating the interface confusing if you've accidentally switched to a language you don't read.
Here's a clear breakdown of how it works across every major platform.
Why Facebook Has Separate Language Settings
Facebook stores your display language — the language used for menus, buttons, and interface text — at the account level, not the device level. This means changing your phone's system language won't automatically change Facebook's interface. You have to update it inside the app or on the website directly.
There's also a separate concept: translation preferences, which control whether Facebook auto-translates posts written in other languages. These are different settings, and changing one won't affect the other.
How to Change Language on Facebook — Desktop (Browser) 🖥️
This is the most reliable method because the full settings menu is easier to navigate on a larger screen.
- Log in to Facebook at facebook.com
- Click your profile picture in the top-right corner
- Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings
- In the left-hand sidebar, click Language and Region
- Next to Facebook language, click Edit
- Choose your preferred language from the dropdown list
- Click Save Changes
Your interface will reload immediately in the new language. This change carries over to your account on other devices as well, so you may notice the update reflected in the mobile app after a short sync.
How to Change Language on Facebook — iPhone (iOS App) 📱
- Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom-right corner
- Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy
- Tap Settings
- Scroll to the Preferences section and tap Language
- Select your preferred language from the list
On some versions of the iOS app, the Language option appears under Settings & Privacy > Language directly, without going through the full Settings menu. If you don't see it in one place, check the other.
How to Change Language on Facebook — Android App
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner (or bottom-right, depending on your app version)
- Scroll down to Settings & Privacy
- Tap Settings
- Scroll to find Language under the Preferences section
- Tap it and choose your language
Note for Android users: If you can't find the language option inside Facebook's settings, check your phone's system settings. On some Android versions and manufacturer skins, Facebook may inherit the system language automatically. Go to Phone Settings > General Management > Language (Samsung) or Settings > System > Language (stock Android) to change it there.
What If the Menu Is Already in a Language You Don't Understand?
This is a common problem — you've accidentally switched to a language and now can't read the menus to switch back. Here's how to navigate it without reading the text:
| Step | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Desktop | Click your profile photo (top-right) → second item in the dropdown → first item in next menu |
| Mobile | Tap the three-line menu → scroll near the bottom → look for a gear/cog icon |
| Language setting | Usually the 4th or 5th option under the main settings list |
| Dropdown | Languages are listed in their native script, so look for your language's own name (e.g., "Español," "Français," "日本語") |
Facebook also lists languages in their native form rather than translated names, which actually helps when you're locked out of a familiar-looking interface.
Changing Post Translation Preferences
Separate from your display language, Facebook can automatically translate posts written in other languages. If you want to manage this:
- On desktop: Go to Settings > Language and Region > News Feed Translation Preferences
- You can set languages you already understand so Facebook won't offer to translate them
- You can also turn off automatic translation entirely
This setting doesn't change how the interface looks — it only affects translated content in your feed.
Variables That Affect Your Experience
The steps above cover the standard paths, but a few factors can make your experience vary:
- App version: Facebook updates its mobile app frequently, and menu layouts shift between versions. If a step doesn't match exactly, look one level up or down in the settings tree.
- Region and account type: Business accounts and Pages managed through Facebook's Meta Business Suite have their own interface, and language settings there follow a slightly different path.
- Facebook Lite: The stripped-down Lite app has a more condensed settings menu. Language is still accessible under Settings, but the visual layout is simpler.
- Browser language vs. account language: If you use Facebook in a browser, your browser's language setting can sometimes influence which language Facebook defaults to on first load — especially on a new login.
When the Language Doesn't Stick
If you change the language and it reverts on next login, there are a few possible causes:
- You're logged into multiple accounts and the change only applied to one
- A cached version of the app is loading stale settings — try force-closing and reopening
- You're using Facebook through a third-party browser with aggressive privacy settings that clear session data
Clearing Facebook's app cache (on Android: Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage > Clear Cache) often resolves persistent sync issues without affecting your login or data.
The right language setting for your situation depends on which device you use most, whether you manage one or multiple accounts, and how your phone's own language settings interact with Facebook's account-level preferences — details that vary meaningfully from one setup to the next.