Changing the language on an Android device involves adjusting either the system-wide display language or the language for specific apps or keyboards. The process is generally consistent across most Android versions, though some manufacturers may have slight variations in menu names or locations. For Android 14 and newer, users can also change languages for individual apps if the app supports this feature. The core steps involve accessing the device's Settings menu, navigating to the Language & input section, and selecting or adding a preferred language.

Key findings from the sources include:

• The standard path is Settings > System > Languages & input > Languages ^[1][3][6][9]
• Android 14+ allows app-specific language changes for supported apps ^[1][7]
• Some devices may require dragging the preferred language to the top of the list to set it as default ^[3][9]
• Keyboard languages are managed separately under Virtual keyboard settings ^[9]

Changing the Language on Android Devices

Changing the System Display Language

The system display language determines the language used for menus, settings, and most built-in apps on your Android device. This is the most common language change users perform, and the process is nearly identical across most Android versions. Start by opening the Settings app, which is typically represented by a gear icon in your app drawer or home screen.

The exact steps may vary slightly depending on your device manufacturer and Android version, but the general workflow is as follows:

• Navigate to System (or General Management on some devices) ^[7][9]
• Select Languages & input (or Language and keyboard settings on older devices) ^[4][6]
• Tap Languages to view the list of installed languages ^[1][3]
• If your desired language isn't listed, tap Add a language and select it from the available options ^[3][6]
• Drag your preferred language to the top of the list to set it as the default system language ^[3][9]

Some important considerations for changing the system language include:

• Not all languages may be available on every device, as language support depends on the manufacturer and region ^[4]
• Changing the system language will affect most built-in apps but may not change the language for third-party apps unless they support the selected language ^[1]
• If the language change doesn't apply immediately, try restarting your device or checking for system updates ^[1]
• On some devices like ASUS phones, the path might be slightly different: Settings > System > Language & input > Language ^[3]

For users with older Android versions or customized interfaces, the menu names might differ. For example, some Samsung devices use "General Management" instead of "System" ^[7]. If you can't find the language settings, try using the search function within the Settings app to locate the language options quickly.

Changing Language for Specific Apps or Keyboards

Android offers more granular control over language settings, allowing users to change languages for individual apps or keyboards separately from the system language. This is particularly useful for multilingual users or when specific apps don't support your system language.

App-Specific Language Changes (Android 14+)

Starting with Android 14, users can set different languages for individual apps if the app developer has enabled this feature. This allows you to use your preferred language for specific apps while keeping the system language different. To change an app's language:

• Open Settings and go to System > Languages & input > App languages ^[1]
• Select the app you want to change from the list of supported apps
• Choose your preferred language from the available options ^[1][7]
• If the app doesn't appear in the list, it means the app doesn't support individual language selection

Some important notes about app-specific language changes:

• Not all apps support this feature - it depends on whether the app developer has implemented per-app language selection ^[1]
• If the app language doesn't change after selection, try force-stopping the app or restarting your device ^[1]
• App language settings will override the system language for that specific app only
• Keep your apps updated to ensure you have the latest language support ^[1]

Keyboard Language Changes

To type in different languages, you'll need to change your keyboard's input language. This is separate from the system display language and allows you to switch between languages while typing. The process varies slightly depending on which keyboard app you're using (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, etc.), but the general steps are:

• Open Settings and go to System > Languages & input > Virtual keyboard ^[9]
• Select your keyboard app (e.g., Gboard, Samsung Keyboard)
• Tap Languages or Language settings within the keyboard options
• Enable the languages you want to use by toggling them on ^[9]
• Some keyboards may require you to download additional language packs

For keyboard language switching:

• Most keyboards allow you to swipe the space bar to switch between enabled languages quickly ^[9]
• You can usually see which language is active by looking at the space bar or language indicator on the keyboard
• Some third-party keyboards like AnysoftKeyboard offer additional language options not available in standard keyboards ^[4]
• If you don't see your preferred language, check if your keyboard app supports it or consider installing a different keyboard