Change your Facebook language in three steps

Facebook lets you change the language of the 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. Open Facebook, go to Settings and Privacy, select Settings, then scroll to the Language section and pick a new language from the dropdown. Facebook will switch to that language immediately.

The language you choose affects only your view of Facebook. Other people's posts, comments, and messages stay in whatever language they wrote them in. If someone sends you a message in Spanish, it will still appear in Spanish even if your interface is set to English.

Facebook supports over 100 languages, including regional variations — you can choose between British English and US English, for example, or between Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Facebook language through Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then the Language section.
  • The language setting only changes your interface — menus and buttons — not the content other people post.
  • Facebook offers over 100 languages and regional variations like British English or Simplified Chinese.
  • The change takes effect immediately and applies across all your devices where you are logged in.
  • You can change your language back at any time using the same steps.

How to change language on Facebook desktop

On a computer, 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. The Settings page will open on the left side of your screen.

Scroll down the left menu until you see Language. Click it. A dropdown menu will appear showing your current language and a list of other languages. Click the language you want. Facebook will reload and display in your new language within a few seconds.

If you do not see the Language option in the left menu, scroll further down — it is usually near the bottom of the settings list, after options like Notifications and Privacy.

How to change language on Facebook mobile

On iPhone or Android, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the Facebook app. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. The settings menu will open.

Scroll down until you find Language. Tap it to see the list of available languages. Tap the language you want, and Facebook will switch immediately. You may need to close and reopen the app for the change to fully take effect on some phones.

If you use Facebook through a mobile web browser instead of the app, follow the same steps as the desktop version — the layout is the same.

What happens to your messages and posts when you change language

Changing your language setting does not translate your existing posts or messages. If you wrote a post in English and then switch Facebook to Spanish, that post will still display in English to you and everyone else. Only the Facebook buttons and menu labels around it will be in Spanish.

If someone sends you a message in another language, Facebook may offer to translate it for you — this is a separate feature from your language setting. You can tap or click the translate option on individual messages, but it is not automatic.

Going forward, if you type a post or comment in a language different from your interface language, Facebook will post it in whatever language you typed. Your interface language does not force your posts into that language.

Changing language for specific regions or dialects

Facebook offers regional versions of many languages. When you click on a language like English, you may see options for English (US), English (UK), or English (Australia). The differences are mainly in spelling and a few terms — for example, "mobile" versus "cell phone".

To see regional options, click on the language name in the Language settings. If regional versions are available, they will appear as a submenu. Select the version you prefer. If a language does not show regional options, only one version is available.

Troubleshooting language changes that do not stick

If you change your language but Facebook keeps reverting to the old one, clear your browser cache and cookies, then log out and log back in. Sometimes cached data prevents the new setting from taking effect.

On mobile, try closing the Facebook app completely — not just minimizing it — and then reopening it. If the language still does not change, uninstall and reinstall the app. This forces your phone to download the latest version with your language setting applied.

If you are logged into Facebook on multiple devices, the language setting syncs across all of them. If one device is not updating, check that you are logged into the same account on that device and that you have an active internet connection.

Switching back to your original language

To change your language back, follow the same steps: go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Language. Click or tap the language you want to use. You can switch languages as many times as you want — there is no limit or penalty for changing.

If you forget which language you are currently using, look at the menu labels. Common labels in different languages are easy to spot — for example, "Amis" is French for Friends, "Inicio" is Spanish for Home, and "Notificaciones" is Spanish for Notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my language affect what language my friends see?

No. Your language setting is personal to your account. Your friends will see Facebook in whatever language they have set on their own accounts. If you change to Spanish, your friends still see English, French, or whatever they chose.

Can I set different languages on Facebook and Messenger?

Facebook and Messenger share the same language setting. When you change your Facebook language, Messenger changes to match. You cannot set them separately.

What if I do not see my language in the list?

Facebook supports over 100 languages, but not every language is available in every region. If your language is not listed, check that you are in the correct country or region in your account settings. Some languages are only available in certain areas.

Will changing my language affect my privacy settings?

No. Your privacy settings, blocked users, and security options remain exactly the same when you change your language. Only the words and labels on the screen change.

Can I use Facebook in multiple languages at once?

No. You can only set one language per account. If you need to use Facebook in two languages regularly, you would need to create a second account with a different language setting.