Change your Facebook language in three steps
Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to the Language and region section, click Language, and choose your preferred language from the list. Facebook will reload in your new language when ready.
The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a computer or phone. On mobile, the menu button may appear as three horizontal lines instead of a downward arrow, but the path through Settings remains identical. Your language choice syncs across all your devices once you save it.
Key Takeaways
- You change your Facebook language through Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Language and region.
- Facebook reloads when ready in your chosen language, and the change applies to all your devices at once.
- You can switch languages as often as you want — there is no limit to how many times you change it.
- Changing your language does not affect your friends' view of your account or any of your posts and messages.
Where to find the language menu on desktop
On a computer, log into Facebook and look for the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page, next to your profile picture. Click it to open a dropdown menu. You will see several options including Settings and privacy near the top — click that option.
Once you are in Settings and privacy, click Settings again. The page will load your account settings. Scroll down the left sidebar until you see Language and region. Click on it, then click the Language option. A list of available languages will appear, and you can select whichever one you want to use.
How to change language on Facebook mobile
On an iPhone or Android phone, open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down until you find Language and region and tap it.
Tap Language to see all available options. Select the language you want, and Facebook will switch when ready. The app will reload and display everything in your chosen language from that point forward.
What happens after you change your language
When you select a new language, Facebook reloads within seconds and all menus, buttons, and labels appear in that language. Your News Feed, messages, and notifications will display in your chosen language. However, posts and comments written by other people remain in whatever language they originally posted — Facebook does not translate user-generated content.
Your language choice is tied to your account, not your device. If you log into Facebook on a different computer or phone, it will use the language you selected in Settings. If someone else logs into their Facebook account on your device, their language setting will appear instead.
Switching between multiple languages
You can change your language as many times as you want. Some people switch languages to practice a language they are learning, or to use Facebook in different languages depending on where they are. There is no penalty or limit — you can go back to your original language at any time by following the same steps.
If you want to use Facebook in two languages regularly, you may find it faster to create a second account in your other language rather than switching back and forth. However, Facebook's terms of service require that each account represent one person, so a second account should only be used if you have a legitimate reason for maintaining separate profiles.
Languages Facebook supports
Facebook offers more than 100 languages, including major languages like Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Arabic, and Japanese, as well as many regional and minority languages. The exact list of available languages depends on your region and account settings, but the most widely spoken languages are always included.
If you do not see your language in the list, it may not be available yet. Facebook adds new languages over time, but some smaller languages may not have complete translations. You can still use Facebook in English or another available language as a workaround.
Troubleshooting language changes that do not work
If you change your language but Facebook does not reload, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the app. Clear your browser cache if you are on a computer — sometimes old data prevents the new language from loading. On mobile, try closing the Facebook app completely and opening it again.
If the language still does not change after refreshing, log out of your account and log back in. This forces Facebook to reload your settings from scratch. If you are still having trouble, make sure you are using the current version of the Facebook app or an up-to-date web browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my language affect what my friends see on my profile?
No. Your language setting only changes what you see on your own screen. Your friends will see your profile and posts exactly as they always have, in whatever language they have set their own Facebook to use.
Can I set different languages for different parts of Facebook?
No. Facebook applies your language choice to your entire account. You cannot set the News Feed to one language and messages to another. You can only choose one language at a time for your whole account.
What if I change my language and cannot find a button I need?
The button locations stay the same even when the language changes — only the words on them change. If you are looking for a specific feature, try clicking where that button was in your previous language. You can also switch back to your original language temporarily to reorient yourself.
Will changing my language affect my password or login information?
No. Your password and login details remain exactly the same. Changing your language only changes the words you see on the screen, not any of your account security or personal information.