Change the language in Google Maps on your phone or computer
Google Maps will display in whatever language your device is set to use. If you want Maps to show in a different language than your phone or computer's main language, you can change it directly in the Maps app or website without changing your whole device. The steps are slightly different depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or a computer.
The language you choose affects everything Maps displays: street names, business categories, directions, and search results. If you switch languages, you'll see these changes the next time you open the app or refresh the website.
Key Takeaways
- On Android phones, open Maps settings and tap "Language" to pick from dozens of options.
- On iPhones, you must change the language in your phone's main Settings app under "Maps," not inside the Maps app itself.
- On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right corner of Google Maps and select "Settings" to change the language.
- Changing Maps language does not change your device's main language or affect other apps.
Change language on an Android phone
Open the Google Maps app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings." Look for the "Language" option and tap it to see all available languages. Select the language you want Maps to use.
Once you select a new language, Maps will switch immediately. If you don't see your preferred language in the list, it may not be supported yet. You can always switch back to your device's default language by following the same steps.
Change language on an iPhone
The iPhone version of Google Maps does not have a language setting inside the app itself. Instead, you must change it through your phone's Settings. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down until you find "Maps." Tap it, then tap "Language" and choose your preferred language from the list.
After you make this change, close and reopen the Google Maps app to see the new language take effect. If you switch back to your device's default language later, Maps will follow that change automatically.
Change language on a computer
Go to Google Maps in your web browser and look for your profile picture in the top right corner of the page. Click it and select "Settings" from the menu that appears. On the Settings page, find "Language" and click the dropdown menu to see all available options. Choose the language you want and the page will update right away.
If you're not signed into a Google account, you won't see a profile picture. Instead, look for a three-line menu icon (sometimes called a hamburger menu) in the top left corner. Click it, then click "Settings" to find the language option.
What happens when you change the language
When you switch Google Maps to a new language, the change applies only to Maps. Your email, other Google apps, and your device's main language stay the same. Street names, business names, and location labels will all appear in your chosen language, but the actual places and routes remain identical.
Some languages may display differently depending on your region. For example, if you choose Traditional Chinese, it may display differently than Simplified Chinese. If you're searching for a specific place and the name is only known in another language, you can still type it in and Maps will find it.
If your language isn't showing up
Google Maps supports over 100 languages, but not every language is available in every region. If you don't see your language in the list, it may not be supported yet. Check back occasionally, as Google adds new languages over time.
If you see a language listed but the text looks wrong or appears in boxes, your device may not have the right fonts installed to display that language properly. This is rare, but restarting your phone or computer usually fixes it. You can also try switching to a different language and back to see if the display improves.
Switching back to your device's default language
If you want Maps to match your phone or computer's main language again, follow the same steps you used to change it. On Android, open Maps settings and tap "Language," then select your device's default language. On iPhone, go to Settings > Maps > Language and choose the language that matches your device. On a computer, click your profile picture, select Settings, and change the language back.
You can also reset Maps to use your device's language automatically by looking for a "System default" or "Device language" option in the language menu, if available. This way, if you ever change your device's language, Maps will follow along without you having to adjust it separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing Google Maps language affect other Google apps?
No. Changing the language in Maps only affects that app. Gmail, Google Search, Google Drive, and other Google services will stay in whatever language they're currently set to. Each Google app has its own language setting that you can change independently.
Can I use Google Maps in multiple languages at the same time?
No, Google Maps displays in only one language at a time on a single device. If you need to switch between languages frequently, you'll have to change the setting each time. Some people use different devices or browser profiles to keep Maps in different languages simultaneously.
What if I change my device's language but want Maps to stay in a different language?
You can set Maps to a specific language and it will stay that way even if you change your device's main language, as long as you don't select "System default" or "Device language" in the Maps language menu. Just pick a specific language and Maps will keep using it.
Does changing the language affect how Maps calculates routes or distances?
No. The routes, distances, and directions are the same regardless of language. Only the labels, street names, and text displayed on the map change. A route that takes 15 minutes will still take 15 minutes whether you're viewing it in English or Spanish.
Can I change the language for just one search in Google Maps?
Not directly. You have to change the language setting for the whole app or website. However, you can search for places using their name in any language, and Maps will find them even if the app is set to display in a different language.