Where to find Facebook's language settings
Facebook's language settings live in your account menu, not in a separate settings page. Open Facebook on any device, look for the downward-pointing arrow or three horizontal lines in the top right corner, and tap or click it. You'll see a menu with options like "Settings & privacy" — tap that, then tap "Settings."
Once you're in Settings, scroll down until you see "Language and region" or just "Language." The exact wording depends on whether you're on mobile or desktop, but it's always in the same general area. Tap or click on it, and Facebook will show you a dropdown menu of available languages.
The language you select here changes the text on buttons, menus, and notifications across your entire Facebook account. It does not change the language of posts your friends write — those stay in whatever language they posted them in.
Key Takeaways
- Language settings are in the account menu under Settings, then "Language and region," not in a separate preferences page.
- Changing your language affects only Facebook's interface — the buttons, menus, and labels you see — not the content your friends post.
- Facebook offers over 100 languages, and you can switch between them at any time without affecting your account or data.
- If you use Facebook on multiple devices, you may need to change the language on each one separately, depending on your device settings.
What happens when you select a new language
Once you choose a language from the dropdown and confirm your choice, Facebook reloads immediately. Every label, button, and menu item switches to that language right away. Your News Feed, messages, and profile all display in the language you selected.
Your account data — your posts, photos, friends list, and messages — never changes. Switching languages does not delete anything or affect how other people see your profile. If a friend looks at your account, they still see it in whatever language their own settings are set to.
You can switch back to a different language at any time by following the same steps. There is no limit to how many times you can change it, and no waiting period between changes.
Mobile versus desktop differences
The steps are slightly different depending on whether you're using the Facebook app on a phone or the website on a computer, but the location of the setting is the same.
On the Facebook app (iPhone or Android): Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings & privacy," then "Settings." Scroll to "Language and region" and tap it. Select your language and tap "Save" or confirm the change.
On Facebook's website (desktop or laptop): Click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Click "Settings & privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, you may see a "Language" option, or you may need to scroll down to find "Language and region." Click it, select your language, and the page updates automatically.
If you use Facebook on both your phone and your computer, you may need to change the language on each device separately. Some people find it easier to use the same language everywhere, while others prefer different languages on different devices.
Languages Facebook supports
Facebook supports over 100 languages, including major languages like Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, Portuguese, and Japanese. It also supports many regional and minority languages, though the completeness of translation varies.
Some languages are fully translated — every button and menu item appears in that language. Others are partially translated, meaning some older or less common features may still show in English. When you select a language, Facebook usually shows you what percentage of the interface has been translated into that language.
If you choose a language that is not fully translated, you may see some English text mixed in with your chosen language. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with your account.
Troubleshooting when the language won't change
If you change your language setting but Facebook still displays in a different language, the most common cause is your device's own language setting overriding Facebook's choice. Your phone or computer's operating system can force apps and websites to use the device language, even if you've set something different inside Facebook.
To fix this, check your device's language settings separately from Facebook. On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Language & Region. On Android, go to Settings > System > Languages & input > Languages. On a Windows computer, go to Settings > Time & language > Language. On a Mac, go to System Settings > General > Language & Region. Change your device language to match what you want Facebook to display, or set it to a neutral option like English if you want Facebook's setting to take priority.
If you've checked both your device settings and Facebook's language setting and Facebook still shows the wrong language, try logging out completely and logging back in. Sometimes the change does not take effect until you refresh your session.
When Facebook translates posts from other languages
Facebook has a separate feature from language settings that automatically translates posts written in languages different from yours. This is not the same as changing your interface language.
If a friend posts something in Spanish and your Facebook interface is set to English, Facebook may offer a "See translation" button below the post. Clicking it shows you Facebook's machine translation of that post into English. You control whether this feature is on or off in your settings under "Language" — look for an option about translations or automatic translation.
This translation feature is optional and separate from your interface language choice. You can have your Facebook menus in Spanish while still translating posts into English, or vice versa.
Changing language on Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger — the separate app for messages — has its own language setting. Changing your main Facebook language does not automatically change Messenger's language.
To change Messenger's language on a phone, open the Messenger app, tap your profile picture in the top left corner, scroll down to "Language," and select a new language. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top left, look for "Language," and choose from the dropdown.
Like the main Facebook app, Messenger's language setting is independent of your device's language. You can run Messenger in one language and Facebook in another if you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my language affect my privacy settings or who can see my posts?
No. Language settings only change the text you see on buttons and menus. Your privacy settings, who can see your posts, and all your account permissions stay exactly the same. Changing language does not make your account more or less private.
Can I set different languages for different parts of Facebook?
Not within Facebook itself. You choose one language for your entire interface. However, you can use your browser's translation feature (like Chrome's built-in translator) to translate specific pages or posts into a different language without changing your Facebook settings.
What if my language isn't in the list?
Facebook's language list is fixed and does not include every language in the world. If your language is not available, the closest related language or English are usually your best options. You can also use your device's accessibility features or browser translation tools as a workaround.
Does changing my language change the language of ads I see?
Usually yes — ads typically display in the language you've set for your Facebook interface. However, advertisers can also target by language separately, so you may occasionally see ads in a different language. This is controlled by advertisers, not by your settings.
If I change my language, will my friends see my profile in that language?
No. Your friends see your profile in whatever language their own settings are set to. Changing your language only affects what you see on your own screen.