Change your Facebook language in account settings

To change the language Facebook displays to you, open Facebook and go to the down arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Language and region. Next to the language listed, click Edit, choose your preferred language from the dropdown menu, and click Save changes. Facebook will reload in your new language within seconds.

This change affects only your account — it does not change the language for anyone else who uses Facebook on the same device or computer. Each person with their own Facebook account can set their own language independently.

The language you choose applies to all of Facebook's interface elements: menu labels, button text, notifications, and settings pages. Posts and comments from other people remain in whatever language they wrote them, but Facebook's own text will appear in your selected language.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the down arrow menu in the top right, go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Language and region to find your current language choice.
  • Click Edit next to your language, select a new one from the dropdown, and save — the change takes effect immediately.
  • Changing your language affects only your account and only Facebook's own interface text, not posts from other users.
  • Facebook offers more than 100 languages, including regional variants like Brazilian Portuguese and Mexican Spanish.
  • You can change your language as often as you want with no restrictions or waiting period.

Where to find the language setting on mobile

On the Facebook mobile app for iPhone or Android, the process is slightly different. Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Scroll to find Language and tap it. Select your preferred language from the list that appears.

The mobile app may show fewer language options than the desktop version, though the most commonly spoken languages are always available. If you do not see your language on the mobile app, try making the change on a computer instead — the setting will sync to your phone once you log in again.

What happens to your posts and messages when you change language

Changing your language setting does not change the language of anything you have already posted or any messages you have sent. Your old posts stay in whatever language you wrote them. Other people will see your posts in the language you wrote them, regardless of what language their Facebook is set to.

If you have written posts in multiple languages, they will each remain in their original language. Facebook does not automatically translate your past content when you switch your language setting. The language change only affects the buttons, menus, and labels that Facebook itself displays to you.

How to find a specific language if you do not see it listed

Facebook's language list is long — over 100 options — so scrolling can take time. If you know the name of the language you want, start typing it in the search box that appears when you click Edit. For example, typing "Tagalog" will filter the list to show only that language and similar options.

Some languages appear with regional notes. Brazilian Portuguese shows as "Portuguese (Brazil)", Mexican Spanish shows as "Spanish (Mexico)", and so on. If you speak a regional variant, look for the parenthetical note that matches your region. If your specific regional variant is not listed, choose the base language — most regional differences are small enough that the standard version will work for you.

Reverting to your previous language

If you change your language and then realize you made a mistake, you can change it back immediately using the same steps. Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Language and region, click Edit, and select your original language. There is no waiting period or limit on how many times you can change your language.

If you changed your language and now cannot find the Settings menu because you do not recognize the words, look for the down arrow icon in the top right corner — this icon looks the same in every language version of Facebook. Click it, and the first option in the menu will always be Settings and privacy, even if you cannot read the label. From there, follow the same path to Language and region.

Language settings on Facebook Business Pages and Creator Accounts

If you manage a Facebook Business Page or Creator Account, the language setting works the same way for your personal account. Your page's language is set separately in the page's own settings, not in your personal account language. To change a page's language, go to the page, click Settings, then General, and look for Page language.

Changing your personal account language does not change your page's language, and changing your page's language does not affect your personal account. This separation lets you run a page in one language while using Facebook in another language yourself. Visitors to your page will see it in the language you set for the page, regardless of their own language settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my language affect what other people see on my profile?

No. Other people see your profile in their own language setting, not yours. If someone has Facebook set to Spanish, they will see your profile labels in Spanish. Your posts and comments stay in whatever language you wrote them, regardless of anyone else's language setting.

Can I set different languages for different parts of Facebook?

No. Facebook applies one language setting to your entire account. You cannot set your feed to one language and your messages to another. If you need to use Facebook in multiple languages regularly, you would need to create separate accounts or change your language setting each time you switch.

What if my language is not on the list?

Facebook supports over 100 languages, but not every language in the world. If yours is not listed, choose the closest related language or use English as a fallback. You can also contact Facebook through their Help Center to request support for additional languages, though there is no may provide they will add it.

Does changing my language change the language of ads I see?

Your language setting influences which ads Facebook shows you, but it does not control ads completely. Facebook also uses your location, browsing history, and other factors to choose ads. An ad might appear in English even if your Facebook is set to Spanish, depending on where the advertiser targeted it.

If I log into Facebook on someone else's device, will it use my language or theirs?

It will use your language. Facebook remembers your language setting tied to your account, not to the device. When you log in on any computer or phone, Facebook will display in whatever language you set it to. When you log out, the next person who logs in will see their own language setting.