Change your Facebook language in settings in under a minute

Facebook lets you switch the language of your interface — the menus, buttons, and labels you see — from your account settings. The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a computer or phone. Go to Settings and Privacy, select Settings, then find Language and Region in the left menu. Choose your preferred language from the dropdown and save. Facebook will switch immediately, though some parts of the site may take a few minutes to update.

This changes only the language Facebook displays to you, not the language of posts your friends write or pages you follow. If you want to read content in a different language, you can use Facebook's translation tools on individual posts instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then look for Language and Region in the left sidebar menu.
  • Click the language dropdown, choose your preferred language, and the change takes effect immediately.
  • Changing your interface language does not translate posts from your friends or change what language other people see when they visit your profile.
  • If you use Facebook on multiple devices, you may need to change the language separately on each one.
  • Some third-party apps connected to your Facebook account may not switch languages automatically.

Steps to change language on a computer

On a desktop or laptop, start by clicking the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook — this is your account menu. Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side of the screen, scroll down until you see Language and Region. Click on it.

A dropdown menu will appear showing your current language. Click the dropdown to see all available languages. Facebook supports over 100 languages. Find the one you want and click it. The page will refresh and your entire interface will switch to that language. If you do not see your language in the list, you can search by typing the first letters of the language name.

Steps to change language on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or top right on Android. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to find Language and Region — on some phones this appears under Preferences.

Tap Language and Region, then tap the language dropdown. Scroll through the list or type to search for your language. Once you select it, the app will restart and display everything in your chosen language. This may take a few seconds.

What happens to your posts and messages

Changing your language setting affects only what you see on your screen. Your posts, messages, and profile information stay in whatever language you originally wrote them in. When your friends visit your profile, they see your posts in the language you wrote them, not translated to their language setting.

If a friend writes a post in a language different from your interface language, Facebook may offer a Translate button below their post. Clicking it will show you a translation without changing any settings. This translation is temporary and only appears for you.

If you use Facebook in multiple languages

Facebook does not have a built-in way to switch between multiple languages quickly. If you regularly use Facebook in two or more languages, you have a few options. You can change your language setting each time you want to switch, which takes about 30 seconds. You can also create a separate Facebook account for each language, though this means maintaining two profiles and two sets of friends.

Some people use browser extensions that auto-translate web pages, but these can sometimes conflict with Facebook's own translation features and may not translate all elements of the interface correctly. Another option is to bookmark Facebook in different languages by using the URL parameter method, though this requires some technical knowledge and may not work reliably across all Facebook features.

Troubleshooting language changes that do not stick

If you change your language but Facebook keeps reverting to your old language, clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again. On a phone, try closing the Facebook app completely and reopening it. If you are using Facebook through a web browser on your phone, try the official app instead — the web version sometimes has glitches with language settings.

If you are logged into Facebook on multiple devices, changing the language on one device does not automatically change it on the others. You will need to repeat the process on each phone, tablet, or computer you use. If you share a device with someone else, make sure you are logged into your own account before changing the language.

Regional settings versus language

Facebook's Language and Region menu has two separate settings: language and region. Your language controls the interface. Your region controls which ads you see and which version of Facebook services you access. You can set these independently — for example, you can use the interface in Spanish while keeping your region set to the United States.

Changing your region may affect which local businesses and events appear in your feed, and it can also change the currency used for purchases and ads. If you travel frequently or move to a new country, you may want to update your region setting as well as your language, though this is not required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my language affect my friends' experience on Facebook?

No. Your language setting is personal to your account. Your friends will see Facebook in whatever language they have set on their own accounts, regardless of what language you use. Your posts and messages will appear to them in the language you wrote them.

Can I set different languages for different parts of Facebook?

No. Facebook applies your language choice to your entire interface. You cannot set your feed to one language and your messages to another. However, you can use the Translate button on individual posts to read content in a different language temporarily.

What if my language is not in the Facebook list?

Facebook supports over 100 languages, but not every language is available. If yours is not listed, you can try using a browser translation tool or extension. Keep in mind that automatic translations are sometimes inaccurate, especially for slang or regional dialects.

Do I need to change my password after changing my language?

No. Changing your language setting does not affect your password or security settings. Your login information stays the same.

If I change my language, will Facebook stop showing me posts in other languages?

No. Your language setting controls the interface only. If your friends post in other languages, those posts will still appear in your feed in their original language. You can use the Translate button to read them if you want.