The fastest way to change keyboard language on Mac

Open System Settings, go to Keyboard, then Input Sources, and click the plus sign to add a new language. Once you've added it, you can switch between languages using the flag icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen, or by pressing the keyboard shortcut Control + Space (or Command + Space, depending on your settings).

The menu bar flag appears automatically once you have more than one language installed. Click it to see your available languages and select the one you want to use right now. Your Mac remembers which language you were using in each app, so if you switch back to an app you were working in earlier, it may return to the previous language you had selected there.

Key Takeaways

  • Add new keyboard languages through System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, then click the plus button to choose from dozens of language and layout options.
  • Once you add a second language, a flag icon appears in your menu bar that lets you switch languages with one click.
  • You can set a keyboard shortcut like Control + Space to switch languages without touching your mouse, which is faster when you're typing.
  • Mac remembers which language you last used in each app, so switching between apps may switch your keyboard language automatically.
  • If you only need one language but a different keyboard layout (like DVORAK instead of QWERTY), you can add that layout without adding a new language.

Where to find Input Sources in System Settings

On any recent Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Then click Keyboard in the left sidebar. You'll see several options; look for Input Sources near the top of the Keyboard settings panel.

If you're using an older Mac with macOS Big Sur or earlier, the path is slightly different: go to System Preferences instead of System Settings, then Keyboard, then Input Sources. The steps after that are the same. Once you're in Input Sources, you'll see a list of languages and layouts you currently have installed, with a plus button below the list.

Adding a new keyboard language

Click the plus button under your current Input Sources list. A window opens showing every language and keyboard layout Mac supports. You can scroll through the list, or type the name of the language you want—if you type "French," it will jump to French options and show you variants like French (Canada) and French (Swiss).

Select the language and layout you want, then click Add. The language now appears in your Input Sources list. You can add as many languages as you need; there's no limit. If you add a language by mistake, select it in the list and click the minus button to remove it.

Switching languages while you type

The easiest way to switch is the flag icon in your menu bar. Once you have two or more languages installed, this icon appears automatically on the right side of your menu bar (next to the clock and Wi-Fi icon). Click it and a dropdown menu shows all your installed languages. Click the one you want to use.

If you switch languages often, use the keyboard shortcut instead. By default, Control + Space switches to the next language in your list. You can change this shortcut in Input Sources settings: look for "Select the previous input source" and "Select next input source," and click the field next to each one to set your own shortcut. Many people change it to Command + Space or Option + Space, depending on what feels natural.

Keyboard layouts versus languages

A keyboard layout is the physical arrangement of keys—QWERTY is the standard English layout, but DVORAK and Colemak are alternatives designed for faster typing. A language is the set of characters and accents that language uses. You can add a language with its standard layout, or add the same language with a different layout.

For example, you might add French (Canada) with the QWERTY layout, or French (Canada) with the Dvorak layout. If you only want to use DVORAK for English, you don't need to add a new language—just add English (Dvorak) in Input Sources. This is useful if you're learning a new keyboard layout but don't need to switch languages.

When Mac switches languages automatically

Mac can remember which language you were using in each app. If you switch from your email app (where you were typing in Spanish) to your web browser (where you were typing in English), Mac may automatically switch your keyboard back to English. This happens because each app can have its own language setting.

You can turn this behavior off if it's confusing. In Input Sources settings, uncheck "Allow different input sources for each app." Now when you switch languages, that language stays active no matter which app you open. Most people leave this on because it saves time—you don't have to remember to switch languages when you move between apps.

Troubleshooting when the flag icon doesn't appear

If you've added a second language but the flag icon isn't showing in your menu bar, restart your Mac. The icon usually appears immediately after you add a language, but occasionally it needs a restart to display.

If restarting doesn't work, go back to Input Sources and make sure you actually have two or more languages listed. The flag icon only appears when you have multiple languages installed. If you see only one language, the plus button may not have saved your selection—try adding the language again and watch for a confirmation message.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the keyboard shortcut for switching languages?

Yes. In System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, look for "Select the previous input source" and "Select next input source." Click the field next to each one and press the keys you want to use. Common choices are Control + Space, Command + Space, or Option + Space. Once you set it, that shortcut works everywhere on your Mac.

What if I want to use the same language but a different keyboard layout?

Add the layout as a separate input source. In the Input Sources window, search for your language and look for layout options—you'll see choices like English (QWERTY), English (Dvorak), and English (Colemak). Add whichever layout you want, then switch between them the same way you'd switch languages.

Does changing keyboard language affect spell-check?

Yes. When you switch to a different language, Mac's spell-checker switches to that language too. If you're typing in Spanish and a word is underlined as misspelled, it's because the Spanish dictionary doesn't recognize it. Switch back to English and the same word won't be flagged.

Can I remove the flag icon from my menu bar?

Not directly, but you can hide it by using the Control Center. Click Control Center in System Settings, then look for Keyboard. You can set it to show only when you have multiple languages, or hide it entirely. If you hide it, you'll need to use your keyboard shortcut to switch languages instead of clicking the flag.

What happens if I delete a language I was using?

Your Mac switches to the next language in your Input Sources list. Any documents you've already typed in that language stay the same—deleting the language doesn't erase your files. If you add the language back later, everything works as before.