Change your iPhone's language in Settings
To change the language your iPhone displays, open Settings, tap General, then tap Language & Region. At the top, you'll see iPhone Language — tap it, scroll through the list of available languages, and select the one you want. Your iPhone will restart briefly to apply the change.
The language you choose here controls what appears on your home screen, in apps, and throughout the system — things like menu names, button labels, and system notifications. It does not change the language of content you've downloaded, like books or movies, only the interface itself.
If you don't see your preferred language in the list, it may not be supported on your device model or iOS version. Older iPhones support fewer languages than newer ones do.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings > General > Language & Region > iPhone Language to see all available options and pick a new one.
- Your iPhone will restart when you change the language, and the change affects the entire system interface.
- You can also set a second language for Siri and keyboard input without changing the main system language.
- If you change your mind, you can switch back to English or any other language using the same path at any time.
- Some languages may not appear if your iPhone model or iOS version is older and doesn't support them.
Set a secondary language for Siri and keyboards
You don't have to change your entire system language to use a different language for typing or talking to Siri. In Settings > General > Language & Region, scroll down to Preferred Languages and tap the plus button to add a second language. This lets Siri understand and respond in that language, and your keyboard can switch between both languages when you type.
When you add a secondary language, your keyboard will usually offer both languages at once. You can swipe left or right on the space bar to toggle between them, or tap and hold the globe icon on your keyboard to pick which one you want to use for that message.
This approach is useful if you live in a multilingual household or regularly communicate in more than one language — your system stays in English (or whatever your main language is), but you gain the ability to switch on the fly.
Change the language for individual apps
Some apps let you change their language separately from your system language. Open the app, go to its settings or preferences (usually found by tapping a gear icon or your profile picture), and look for a Language option. Not every app offers this — it depends on whether the developer built it in.
If an app doesn't have its own language setting, it will display in whatever language your iPhone is set to. You can't override that without changing your system language or the app's own preferences.
Apps from major companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta often include language settings. Smaller apps may not. Check the app's settings first before assuming you need to change your whole phone.
What happens to your content when you change languages
Changing your iPhone's language affects only the interface — the buttons, menus, and labels. Your photos, messages, notes, and other personal content stay exactly as they are. Text you've written in English remains in English even if you switch your system to Spanish or Mandarin.
Downloaded books, movies, and music also keep their original language. If you bought an English-language book through Apple Books, it will still be in English after you change your system language. The language setting controls how the store itself is displayed, not what you've already bought.
If you use iCloud to sync your data across devices, changing the language on one iPhone doesn't change it on your iPad or Mac — each device's language setting is independent.
Troubleshooting when a language won't appear
If you're looking for a specific language and it's not showing up in your list, check your iOS version first. Older versions of iOS support fewer languages. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available — updating often adds support for additional languages.
Some languages also depend on your iPhone model. Very old iPhones (iPhone 5 and earlier) support fewer languages than newer models. If you're using an older device and can't find a language you need, that model may not support it.
If you've updated iOS and the language still isn't there, try restarting your iPhone. Sometimes the language list doesn't refresh properly until you restart. Hold down the side button and either volume button, then slide to power off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
Switch back to English or your original language
Changing your language back is the same process as changing it the first time. Go to Settings > General > Language & Region > iPhone Language, find English (or whichever language you want), and tap it. Your iPhone will restart and return to that language.
If you can't read the menus because you're not familiar with the language you chose, the icons and layout stay the same — Settings is always the gear icon, General is in the same position, and Language & Region appears in the same spot on the screen. You can navigate by memory or by the order of the options even if you can't read the words.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my iPhone's language affect my Apple ID or iCloud account?
No. Your Apple ID and iCloud account settings are separate from your system language. Changing the language on your iPhone won't log you out or change any of your account information. You'll still be able to access all your synced data and purchases.
Can I have different languages on my iPhone and iPad?
Yes. Each device has its own language setting, and they don't sync. You can set your iPhone to Spanish and your iPad to English without any problem. They'll both still sync your photos, messages, and other content normally.
What if I accidentally set my iPhone to a language I don't understand?
You can still change it back using the icons and position of the menu items. Open Settings (gear icon), tap the third option down (General), then look for the option that mentions regions or language — it's usually near the top of that menu. Tap it, then tap the first option (iPhone Language), and select English or your preferred language from the list.
Do I need to restart my iPhone after changing the language?
Your iPhone will restart automatically when you select a new language — you don't have to do anything. The restart usually takes less than a minute, and you'll see the Apple logo appear briefly on the screen.
Can I change the language just for Siri without changing my whole system?
Yes. Go to Settings > Siri & Search, tap Language, and pick a different language for Siri alone. Your system interface will stay in your original language, but Siri will understand and respond in the language you chose.