Having an iPhone that displays in your preferred language can make using your device much easier. Whether you want to change the system language or add keyboards for other languages, modifying the iPhone’s language settings is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change the language on your iPhone.
Requirements
Before changing your iPhone’s language, it’s important to note the following requirements:
- Your iPhone must be updated to the latest iOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for and install any available updates.
- Some features, like Siri, only support certain languages. Check Apple’s language availability charts to see if your desired language is supported.
- Changes made to the system language will translate menus, alerts, and built-in apps. Third party apps may still display in their default language.
- You’ll need to restart your iPhone after changing the system language for all changes to take effect.
Change the System Language
The system language controls the language for all menus, settings, built-in apps, and notifications. Here’s how to change it:
- Go to Settings > General > Language & Region.
- Tap Language.
- Select your desired language.
- Tap Done in the top right corner.
- A prompt will appear – tap Change to Confirm.
- Your iPhone will restart to apply the language change. This will take a minute or two.
Once your iPhone restarts, all system text should now appear in your selected language. Keep in mind that some pre-installed Apple apps may need to download language packs before displaying in the new language.
Add Keyboards for Other Languages
In addition to changing the system language, you can also add keyboards for other languages. This allows you to easily switch between multiple languages when typing. Here’s how to add and manage keyboard languages:
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard.
- Select the language you want to add.
- Repeat to add other keyboards. Added keyboards will appear in the Keyboards list.
- To remove a keyboard, go to Keyboards and tap Edit. Tap the red minus icon next to any keyboard you want to delete.
Once additional keyboards are added, you’ll be able to switch between them when typing. Here’s how:
- When typing, tap the globe icon to switch to the next keyboard.
- You can also touch and hold the globe icon to select a specific keyboard.
- The keyboard name will briefly appear when you switch to help identify which keyboard is now active.
Change Siri Language
The language used by Siri is independent of the system language. Here’s how to change it:
- Go to Settings > Siri & Search.
- Tap Language.
- Select the desired language.
Siri should now respond and process requests in the selected language. Keep in mind Siri only supports a subset of languages, so your desired language may not be available.
Change App Language
While changing the system language will translate Apple’s built-in apps, third party apps will default to their own language. To change the language on an app-by-app basis:
- Go to the app’s settings or preferences menu.
- Look for a Language or Localization section.
- Select your desired language.
If the app does not provide language options, you will need to contact the developer to request this feature.
Region Specific Formatting
In addition to language, your iPhone’s region also controls location-specific formatting like date and time displays, currency symbols, measurement units, and more. To change region:
- Go to Settings > General > Language & Region > Region.
- Tap your preferred region.
Region and language are separate settings, so you can mix and match as needed. For example, use English as the device language while choosing a European region to get Euro currency symbols.
Check Language Compatibility
Before switching your iPhone to a new language, it’s a good idea to check Apple’s language availability charts. This will let you confirm that your desired language will work fully with your specific iPhone model and iOS version. Here are some key compatibility notes:
- Siri supports over 20 languages, but not every Siri language works on every iPhone model.
- Some older iPhone models don’t support all language options for features like dictation and Spell Check.
- Not all languages are available as keyboards. Be sure your desired language is listed as an option under Keyboards.
- Region-specific settings like Calendar, Mail, and Contacts formats vary by language.
Taking a quick look at Apple’s language charts can prevent any surprises when switching languages on your iPhone. Languages are continually being added, so be sure to keep your iPhone updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the language erase any data?
No, changing the iPhone system language does not delete or erase any of your data or content. Only the language displayed will be affected.
Can I have multiple languages on my iPhone?
Yes! You can add keyboards for as many additional languages as you want. Just toggle the globe icon when typing to easily switch between your enabled keyboard languages.
What if my language is not supported on iPhone?
Apple supports over 40 languages on iPhone, but unfortunately not every language is available. Contacting Apple user feedback can help request unsupported languages to be added in future iOS updates.
Can I change the language if my iPhone is locked?
No, you cannot access the language settings if your iPhone is locked. You will need to first unlock your iPhone before changing any language settings.
Will changing the language impact third party apps?
The system language will only translate Apple’s built-in apps and menus. Third party apps will remain in their default language. You need to change languages within each third party app individually.
What happens if I accidentally set the wrong language?
Don’t worry, you can easily change the language again back to your preferred language. Just return to the language settings and select the language you want.
Summary
Here are some key takeaways for changing iPhone language settings:
- The system language controls menus, alerts, Apple apps, and more.
- Add keyboards in Settings to easily switch between languages when typing.
- Siri language is set separately from the system language.
- Region controls date, time, currency, and other location-based formats.
- Make sure your desired language is fully supported by checking Apple’s compatibility charts.
- Changing languages will not delete or erase any user data or content.
With just a few taps in Settings, you can quickly change the entire language of your iPhone. This makes it easy to customize for your language needs.
Conclusion
Being able to modify the iPhone’s language and region opens up iOS usability for millions of users around the world. Whether you need to access your iPhone in multiple tongues or adjust location-specific settings, Apple makes it straightforward to personalize your experience.
Following this simple guide, any iPhone user can successfully change system languages, add custom keyboards, modify Siri’s speech, and adjust region-specific formatting. Just dive into Settings > General > Language & Region on your iPhone to get started.
So unlock your iPhone’s multilingual capabilities today. With billions of potential language combinations now at your fingertips, you can enjoy an iOS experience that’s uniquely yours.