How to Change the Language on an Android, iPhone, or Basic Phone

Follow these simple steps to swap languages on your mobile device

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: December 14, 2024 Fact Checked

Using an Android

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Using an iPhone

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Using a Basic Phone

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Video

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Q&A

With smart cell phones offering great flexibility to their users, it has become incredibly easy to configure mobile phones to display information in another language. Your smartphone comes with a preset language, but you can change it to your language of choice by following a few easy steps.

How to Change Your Phone's Language

Your phone's language can be changed by going to the Settings menu. On an Android, go to General management > Languages. On an iPhone, go to General > Language & Region.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using an Android

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1
Open Settings. Depending on the Android you have, the icon will differ. Older versions have a gray and blue rectangle with horizontal sliders. Newer versions will have an icon that looks like a round gear.
- It is not the gear with the small "g" in the middle. This is the "Google Settings" app.
2
Tap General management. Depending on your Android model, the "general" settings option might also just be called General (or something similar).

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Your current language will be shown under this option.
They will be listed in their native language to make it easy for you to find. Tap your desired language and your Android will switch to that language. Be patient; it will take approximately 30 seconds to switch.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using an iPhone

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The Settings app is in the app dock at the bottom of the screen by default, and has an icon of a gear.^{[2]
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This option also has an icon of a gear.
3
Select Language & Region. It has an icon of a blue globe.
4
Tap Add Language…. A list of all available languages will be shown to you.
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Tap your desired language. You will likely have to scroll to find the language you want to use.
- The languages will be first listed in their native language, then listed in the current iPhone language underneath.^{[3]
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Once you tap on a language, you are prompted with a choice to change your primary language to that language. You can alternatively tap Use (current primary language) to add the language to your languages list, but not change your primary language.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Basic Phone

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1
Find Settings. Search through your phone for your Settings app, possibly labeled Settings & Tools. It may be an icon with gears on it or, in older models, you may need to open your menu and scroll down through a list to find it.
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Select Language. The language setting may be in a different settings menu; you may need to look around to find it, as each phone will be slightly different.
3
Choose your desired language. A list will appear with the different languages that are installed on your phone. This list will likely not be as extensive as on an iPhone or Android, but will contain the most popular languages spoken globally.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I add another language to my cell phone?

Community Answer

You can go to the settings option, and click "add language." Then, you can add whichever language you would like.

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Question

How do I change a language on a Samsung phone?

Community Answer

Go to settings, Click on "My Device," then scroll down and click "Language and Input." Select whichever language you need.

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Question

How do I change the language on my voicemail?

Community Answer

Go to settings. Press 4 to change your personal options, then press 8 to change mailbox language. Press 2 to hear your mailbox prompts in English.

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