How to Change Language on iPhone or iPad? Step-by-Step Guide

How to Change Language on iPhone

What is the system language on your iPhone or iPad? English, Japanese, or Spanish? If you are a multi-language learner, you might want to change the language on your iPhone, or you might want to change the keyboard language, for a better immersive language experience.

This guide is for you, aiming to show you how to change the language on iPhone or iPad, covering the system language and the language for specific apps, and some language-related settings that you may not be aware of.

Before You Start: Things to Know

Before you start changing languages on your iPhone, it’s essential to know a few things:

Languages supported by iPhone: iPhones support a wide range of languages. You can select a system language from a list that includes popular options like English, Spanish, French, and Chinese, but also less common languages.

Changing language may affect app layout: According to the language, some elements of your iPhone, such as text and icons, will be displayed differently. For example, languages like Arabic or Hebrew have a right-to-left layout, which can change the orientation of text and icons.

Language settings don’t affect all apps: While the system language will change the language for most built-in apps, some third-party apps may still appear in the language they were originally set to. You’ll need to adjust those individually (which we’ll cover later).

Impact on Siri: Changing the system language also affects Siri’s language, but you can change Siri’s language independently later.

How to Change Language on iPhone or iPad (System Language)

Changing the system language on your iPhone will change the language across the whole device, including the home screen, menus, apps, and Siri.

Follow these steps to change the system language:

  1. Tap the Settings app on your iPhone. This is usually represented by a gray gear icon.
  2. Scroll down and tap on General. This is where most of the major settings of your iPhone are located.
  3. Inside the General section, tap Language & Region. This option allows you to adjust the language settings for the system and apps.
  4. Tap on Add Language. Here, you’ll see a list of all the languages supported by iOS.
  5. Scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top to find the language you want to use. Once you find the language, tap on it to select it.
  6. A pop-up will appear, asking you to confirm the change. Tap Use [language] to confirm your selection. Your iPhone will now apply the new language settings.
  7. The screen will go blank for a moment as the iPhone applies the new language. This may take a minute or two, so be patient.
  8. Once the change is complete, your iPhone will display in the new language you selected.
Choose a language for your iPhone

How to Change Keyboard Language on iPhone?

If you type in multiple languages or want to switch your keyboard to another language, you can do this in the Keyboard settings.

Here’s how to change the keyboard language:

  1. Open the Settings app again.
  2.  Tap General, then scroll down and tap Keyboard.
  3. Inside the Keyboard section, tap Keyboards. This will show you all the available keyboards you have set up on your iPhone.
  4. If you want to add a new language to your keyboard, tap Add New Keyboard. You’ll see a list of available languages. Select the language you want to use for the keyboard.
  5. Once the new keyboard is added, you can switch between them by tapping the globe icon on the keyboard when typing. This will cycle through the available languages.
Change keyboard language on your iPhone

Setting different languages on your keyboard might be a usual thing for language learners. For more immersive language experiences, you can also consider using a VPN, for example, the LightningX VPN.

For multilingual learners, LightningX VPN can help you connect to 2000+ servers in over 50 countries. With LightningX VPN, you can access educational resources and language learning apps unique to that country, which provides you with a richer learning experience. Download LightningX VPN for better language learning experience!

How to Change Language on iPhone for Specific Apps

Some apps on your iPhone allow you to set a language that differs from the system language. This is particularly useful for apps that support multiple languages, such as WhatsApp, Instagram, X, and Facebook.

To change the language for specific apps:

  1. Launch the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down to the bottom and click Apps. Choose the app for which you want to change the language (e.g., X, WhatsApp or Facebook).
  3. If the app supports changing the language, you should see an option for Language. Tap it, and choose your desired language.
  4. After selecting the language, exit the settings and open the app to see it in the new language.
Change the language for X app.

Related: How to Change Language on Disney Plus: A Complete Guide

How to Change Language on iPhone (Siri’s Language)

You can also change Siri’s language and voice. This is particularly helpful if you prefer a different accent or language for Siri. Remember to enable Siri before you decide to change its language.

To change Siri’s language:

  1. Go to the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Siri.
  3. Tap on Language under the Siri section. You’ll see a list of languages that Siri supports. Select the language you prefer.
  4. If you want to change the accent or gender of Siri’s voice, you can do so by tapping on Siri Voice and choosing from the available options.
  5. After making your selection, press and hold the Home or Side button (depending on your iPhone model) and ask Siri something to test if the new language and voice are working.

Language Issues Solved: How to Change Language on iPhone

Sometimes, you may encounter issues when changing the language on your iPhone. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

1. App Not Presented in the Correct Language:

If you’ve changed the language in the settings but an app isn’t reflecting the new language, make sure the app itself supports language changes. Some apps might need to be manually updated or reinstalled for changes to take effect.

For example, if your Safari browser doesn’t reflect the new language you have changed, you need to update your Safari browser. You can check our guide blog: How to Update Safari? Step-by-Step Guide.

2. Siri Not Responding in the New Language:

If Siri is not speaking the correct language after you’ve changed it, try restarting your iPhone. If the issue persists, go back to Settings > Siri > Language, and make sure it’s set to the language you want.

Conclusion

Changing the language on your iPhone or iPad is a straightforward process that can make your device feel more comfortable and accessible. This guide mainly shows you how to changethe language on iPhone or iPad devices. Whether you’re traveling, learning a new language, or just want to experiment with different settings, you can master in this guide!

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