Change your Google Maps language in settings
Google Maps uses the language setting from your Google account or device, but you can override it anytime. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on a phone or computer, but both take less than a minute. Your language choice applies to all the text in the app or website — menu labels, street names, search results, and directions.
On a phone, open Google Maps and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Settings, then tap Language. Choose from the list of available languages. On a computer, click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top left, select Settings, then click Language in the left sidebar and pick your language from the dropdown.
The change takes effect immediately. If you don't see your preferred language in the list, Google Maps may not support it yet — the app currently supports over 100 languages, but not every language is available in every region.
Key Takeaways
- Google Maps language settings are found in the Settings menu, accessible from your profile picture on phones or the menu icon on computers.
- Changing the language in Google Maps affects only that app or website, not your device's overall language setting.
- The language you select applies to all text in Maps, including directions, place names, and menu labels.
- If you switch devices or sign out, your language preference stays saved to your Google account and will appear on your next login.
- Some languages may not be available in all regions, even though Google Maps supports over 100 languages worldwide.
Why your language might not match what you expect
Google Maps defaults to the language setting on your device or the language associated with your Google account. If you just set up your phone in English but your Google account is set to Spanish, Maps will likely open in Spanish. This is by design — Google assumes your account language reflects your preference.
If you've changed your device language but Maps hasn't updated, try signing out of your Google account in Maps and signing back in. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to pick up a new device language. You can also manually override this by going to Settings and selecting a different language, which will stick even if your device language changes later.
Changing language on Android phones
Open Google Maps and look for your profile picture or initial in a circle at the top right of the screen. Tap it, then select Settings from the menu that appears. Scroll down and tap Language. A list of languages will appear — tap the one you want to use.
If you don't see a Language option in Settings, make sure you're signed into your Google account. Maps requires an active Google account to save language preferences. You can check this by looking at the profile picture icon — if it shows your account photo or initial, you're signed in.
Changing language on iPhones and iPads
The process on iOS is nearly identical to Android. Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Settings. Scroll to find Language and tap it. Choose your preferred language from the list that appears.
On iOS, Google Maps respects your device's language setting as a starting point, but the in-app language setting overrides it. This means you can keep your iPhone in English while using Google Maps in French, for example. The change applies only to Google Maps — your other apps and your device menus stay in their original language.
Changing language on a computer
Go to Google Maps in your web browser and look for the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top left corner. Click it, then select Settings. In the left sidebar, click Language. A dropdown menu will show all available languages — click the one you want.
The web version of Google Maps saves your language choice to your Google account, so it will appear in the same language the next time you visit, even on a different computer. If you're not signed into your Google account, the language preference will only apply to that browser session.
What changes when you switch languages
When you change the language in Google Maps, nearly everything shifts except your saved places and search history. Menu buttons, labels, and navigation instructions all appear in your chosen language. Street names and business names may also display in that language when available — for example, switching to French might show "Rue de la Paix" instead of the English transliteration.
Your saved locations, starred places, and review history remain unchanged and accessible. Search results will still show the same businesses and addresses, just with labels and descriptions in your new language. If you search for a place name in English while Maps is set to another language, the app will still find it and show results.
Switching back to your device's default language
If you want Google Maps to match your device's language again, go back to Settings and select the language your phone or computer uses. For most people, this is the language they chose when first setting up their device. On Android, you can check your device language in Settings > System > Languages and input. On iPhone, it's in Settings > General > Language & Region.
You don't have to match them — many people keep their device in one language and Google Maps in another. But if you want them synchronized, selecting your device's language in the Maps Settings menu will do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the language in Google Maps affect other Google apps?
No. Google Maps language is separate from your Google account language and your device language. Changing it in Maps won't affect Gmail, Google Search, YouTube, or any other app. Each Google service has its own language setting if you want to change them individually.
Can I use Google Maps in a language my device doesn't support?
Yes. Google Maps supports many languages that your device might not have built-in support for. You can use Maps in any language from the app's language list, regardless of your device's language setting. This is useful if you're learning a language or traveling and want navigation in a specific language.
What happens to my saved places if I change the language?
Your saved places, starred locations, and review history stay exactly the same. Changing the language only affects the text labels and menus you see — not your data. You can switch languages as many times as you want without losing anything.
Why don't I see my language in the Google Maps language list?
Google Maps supports over 100 languages, but not every language is available in every region. If your language isn't listed, it may not be supported yet in your area, or Google may not have translated the full interface for it. You can check Google's supported languages page to see if your language is available anywhere.
If I sign out of Google Maps, will my language setting stay?
If you sign out completely, your language preference is saved to your Google account and will reappear when you sign back in. If you're using Google Maps without signing in, the language choice applies only to that browser session or device login.