Where to find the language setting

The language option in Minecraft sits in the Options menu, which you reach from the main title screen. Click Options, then Language. The menu shows every language Minecraft supports — currently over 100 — listed alphabetically by the language's own name, not by English name. So Chinese appears as "中文", Japanese as "日本語", and so on.

The language you select here changes the text throughout the game: menus, item names, block descriptions, and chat. It does not change the names of your worlds or the text you type yourself. If you play on a server or in multiplayer, other players see the language you chose, but it only affects what appears on your own screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Options from the main title screen, then select Language to see the full list of supported languages.
  • The language menu lists languages by their native names — Chinese as "中文", not "Chinese" — so scroll carefully if you are looking for a language you do not read.
  • Changing the language takes effect immediately and applies to all menus, item names, and descriptions without restarting the game.
  • The language setting is separate for each Minecraft account, so different players on the same computer can use different languages.

Steps to change the language on Java Edition

Start from the Minecraft launcher. Click the Play button to open the main title screen. From there, click the Options button in the bottom left corner. A new window opens with several tabs across the top. Click the Language tab — it is the third one from the left, marked with a speech bubble icon.

Scroll through the list to find the language you want. Languages are sorted alphabetically by their native names, so English is near the top, but many other languages appear under names you may not recognize. Once you find the one you need, click it. The change takes effect immediately. Close the Options window and you will see the game menus in your chosen language.

Steps to change the language on Bedrock Edition

Open Minecraft and go to the main menu. Select Settings in the bottom right corner. Scroll down to the Language section. You will see a dropdown menu showing your current language. Click it to open the full list of available languages.

Find your language in the list and select it. The menu text changes right away. Close the Settings menu and return to the main screen. Your chosen language now appears throughout the game. On console versions (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch), the language setting is tied to your system language, so changing it in Minecraft may also change other apps on that device.

What happens if your language is not fully translated

Some languages in Minecraft are incomplete. If you choose a language that does not have a full translation, certain text may still appear in English. This is most common with newer languages or less widely spoken ones. The game prioritizes translating core gameplay text — item names, block descriptions, and main menu options — so those usually appear in your chosen language even if other parts do not.

If you notice untranslated text, you can report it to the Minecraft translation team through the official feedback site. Translations are updated regularly as community volunteers contribute new translations and fix existing ones.

Changing language on different devices

On PC (Java Edition), the language setting is stored in your launcher profile, so it stays the same every time you log in. On PC (Bedrock Edition), the setting is tied to your Microsoft account, so it follows you across devices. On console, the language is usually linked to your system settings, and changing it in Minecraft may change it system-wide.

If you play on multiple devices with the same account, Bedrock will use the same language on all of them. Java Edition keeps separate settings for each computer. If you want to use a different language on a different device, you will need to change it manually on that device.

Switching back to English or your original language

Return to Options (Java) or Settings (Bedrock) and click the Language menu again. Find English in the list — it appears near the top, alphabetically — and click it. The change is instant. You do not need to restart the game or your launcher.

If you accidentally selected a language you cannot read and cannot find the Language option in the menu, you can reset your options to default. In Java Edition, delete the options.txt file in your .minecraft folder. In Bedrock, go to Settings and look for a Reset to Default option. Both will restore English and all other settings to their original state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the language affect my worlds or saved games?

No. Your worlds, inventory, and progress remain exactly the same. Only the text you see on screen changes. You can switch languages as many times as you want without affecting anything you have built or collected.

Can I use a language that is not in the list?

Minecraft supports over 100 languages, but not every language in the world. If your language is not listed, you can request it through the official feedback site. Community volunteers handle most translations, so adding a new language depends on whether someone is willing to translate the entire game.

Will other players see the game in my chosen language?

No. The language setting only changes what appears on your screen. Other players see the game in their own chosen language. Chat messages you type appear in whatever language you type them in, regardless of your game language setting.

What if the language I chose has some text still in English?

Some languages are incomplete, especially newer ones. Core gameplay text is usually translated, but less common menus or descriptions may still show in English. You can report missing translations to help improve the language pack.

Do I need to restart the game after changing the language?

No. The language change takes effect immediately. You can close the Options or Settings menu and see the new language right away without restarting Minecraft or your launcher.