It’s all a foreign language to you? Possibly not to Android: find out here how to change the interface language on an Android phone ⤓ (for both the operating system and for apps).
First, Japanese Has 643; English Has 6,306 More
If one goes about counting the unique syllables in the world’s common languages — and why would one not? — , the results are stunning.
While Japanese famously makes do with some 650 syllables arranged in artisan ways, the likes of German and English can rely on 5,000 syllables and more. The result, of course, is largely the same: most languages let you say most things, In so many syllables.
Want to see what it looks like written on your phone? Let’s change the language on Android devices:
How to Change the System Language on Android
Time needed: 3 minutes
To change the language used for the user interface on an Android device:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to the System category.
- Now choose Language & input.
- Open Languages.
- Drag the language you want to use as the default to the top.
Not in list: If the language you want to use as the default Android language is not in the list, see the following steps for adding it.
- Add any additional languages you want to use.
1. Tap Add a language.
2. Tap any language to add it.
Search: Tap the magnifying glass (🔍) to search for languages by name (in their own language or English). - Close the Settings app.
The web’s language: How to Change the Language in Chrome (Web and Interface)
How to Change the System Language on Android: FAQ
How are the languages in the list used?
Android will use the topmost language for the system interface language.
Apps will use the first supported language going from top to bottom. If an app supports none of the languages you have picked in the Settings app, it will use its default language.
Can I remove a language from Android altogether?
Yes.
In lieu of moving a language down the list of priorities, you can also remove it from the list.
To delete a language from Android on your device:
- Tap the three dots menu icon on the Language preferences screen.
- Select Remove.
- Check all languages you want to remove from the list.
- Now tap the deletion button.
- Tap OK to confirm.
(Tested with Android 9; first published July 2021, last updated September 2022)