Facebook Messenger makes it easy to stay in touch with friends, family, and coworkers through text messages, voice calls, video calls, and group chats. However, using Messenger can become confusing when its menus and settings appear in a language you do not understand.
If you accidentally changed the language or want to use Messenger in your preferred language, you may be wondering how to switch it back.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to change the language in Messenger on a computer and mobile device.
Change Language in Messenger [Computer & Mobile]
The steps for changing Messenger’s language vary depending on your operating system and the version of the app you’re using. On many devices, Messenger follows the language configured for your phone or the relevant Facebook language preferences.
Some versions of Messenger also support app-specific language settings.
- On Android: Open Settings and look for Languages or App Languages. Select Messenger if it appears, then choose your preferred language.
- On iPhone: Open Settings, find Messenger, and check whether a Language or Preferred Language option is available. If not, check your iPhone’s language settings.
- On a computer: Open Facebook in your browser, go to Settings, and look for Language and Region. Change the Facebook language if the option is available.
1: Change Messenger Language on an Android Phone
If you use an Android phone, start by checking whether your device supports a separate language setting for individual apps. This feature is available on supported Android versions, although the exact menu names vary by manufacturer.
Open your phone’s Settings app and look for Languages, App Languages, or Language and Region. On some devices, you may find these options under System > Languages & input > App Languages. On other phones, you might need to use the Settings search bar and type “App Languages.”
If Messenger appears in the list, tap it and select your preferred language. Depending on your Android version and the languages supported by the app, you may be able to choose English, Spanish, French, or another available option.
After selecting a language, open Messenger and check whether the menus, settings, and navigation labels have changed. Keep in mind that the conversation language does not automatically change when you switch the interface language. Messages sent by other people will remain in the language they originally used.
If Messenger does not appear under App Languages, move to the next step and check your phone’s primary language settings.
2: Change Your Android System Language
If your Android phone does not offer a separate language option for Messenger, changing the system language may help. However, this can affect other apps and parts of your phone, so make sure you are comfortable with that change before proceeding.
Open Settings > System > Languages & input > Languages. Depending on your phone, the path may instead be Settings > General management > Language or Settings > Additional settings > Languages & input.
Choose Add a language if your preferred language is not listed. Select the language you want to use and follow the on-screen instructions to make it your primary language.
Once the change is applied, reopen Messenger. If the app supports that language, its interface may automatically update to match your device preferences.
If your phone already uses your preferred language but Messenger displays another one, check whether Facebook has a separate language preference or whether Messenger needs an update.
3: Change Messenger Language on an iPhone
On an iPhone, the process depends on your iOS version and the language options available for Messenger.
Open Settings and scroll down to the list of installed apps. Find and tap Messenger. If your version of iOS and Messenger supports it, look for a Language or Preferred Language option. Select your preferred language and return to Messenger to check the result.
If you cannot find a language option, that does not necessarily mean anything is wrong. App-specific language controls are not available for every app or configuration.
In that situation, check your iPhone’s system language. Open Settings > General > Language & Region > Add Language. Choose your preferred language and follow the prompts to set it as the primary iPhone language.
After changing the setting, reopen Messenger and see whether the interface updates. Remember that changing the primary iPhone language can affect other apps, system menus, and notifications.
If you want to keep your iPhone in English while using Messenger in another language, check whether your current iOS version offers an app-specific language preference before changing the entire device.
4: Change Messenger Language on a Windows Computer
If you use Messenger on a Windows computer, first determine whether you’re using the Messenger desktop app or accessing Messenger through a web browser.
For the browser version, open Facebook and sign in to the account connected to Messenger. Open your profile menu and select Settings & privacy > Settings. Look for Language and Region or a similarly named language section. The exact labels may differ depending on the current Facebook interface.
Find the option for the Facebook language and select Edit if available. Choose your preferred language, then save the change if Facebook asks you to confirm it.
Next, open Messenger and check whether its menus and settings now appear in the selected language. Since Messenger and Facebook may share language preferences in some configurations, changing the Facebook interface language can also affect the Messenger experience.
If you use the Windows Messenger app and its interface does not change, close the app completely and reopen it. You can also check the Windows language settings under Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
Changing Windows’ display language can affect other applications and system menus, so use that option only if necessary.
5: Change Messenger Language on a Mac
Mac users can check whether macOS offers a language preference specifically for Messenger.
Open System Settings > General > Language & Region. Depending on your macOS version, you may see a section for application-specific language preferences. If Messenger appears in the list of apps with individual language settings, select it and choose your preferred language.
If the app-specific option is unavailable, check Messenger’s settings and the language preferences associated with Facebook. When using Messenger through a browser, changing the Facebook interface language may be the more practical approach.
If you want to change the Mac’s primary language, use the preferred languages list under System Settings > General > Language & Region. Add your preferred language and follow the prompts to change its priority.
Be aware that changing the primary macOS language may affect other apps and menus. If your goal is to change only Messenger, avoid changing the entire system unless you have no suitable alternative.
After making the change, close and reopen Messenger or refresh the browser page.
6: Change Facebook Language When Messenger Does Not Have a Language Option
Sometimes, Messenger does not display a dedicated language setting. In that case, checking Facebook’s language preferences is a useful next step.
Open Facebook in your browser or mobile app and navigate to Settings & privacy > Settings. Look for Language and Region, Language, or a similar option. Select your preferred language if the relevant setting is available.
Save your selection and return to Messenger. On a computer, refreshing the Messenger webpage may be enough to apply the change. On a phone, close and reopen the app.
Keep in mind that Facebook’s menus can change over time, and its language preferences may not control every part of Messenger on every device. If the Messenger interface remains unchanged, return to your device settings and check the app-specific or system language options.
Fix Messenger Language Changes That Do Not Work
If Messenger continues displaying the wrong language, start with a few basic troubleshooting steps before changing additional settings.
First, close and reopen Messenger. On a computer, refresh the browser tab. Next, check for an available Messenger update in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. An outdated app may not respond as expected to language settings.
If you’re using Messenger in a browser, try signing out and signing back in after confirming your Facebook language preference. You can also check whether the language changes when you open Messenger in another supported browser.
On Android, clearing the app cache may help resolve display issues. Open Settings > Apps > Messenger > Storage & cache > Clear cache. The exact menu names may differ by device. Avoid selecting Clear storage or Clear data unless you understand that doing so may remove locally stored app information and require you to sign in again.
On an iPhone, you can try closing and reopening the app or restarting the phone. If the problem persists, check for updates before considering reinstalling Messenger.
Finally, verify that you changed the interface language rather than a translation preference. Messenger’s display language, message translation settings, and the languages used by other people in your chats are separate things.
FAQs
Can I Change Messenger Language Without Changing My Phone Language?
Yes, if your device and Messenger version support an app-specific language setting. Android and some iOS configurations may offer this option. If it is unavailable, you may need to use Facebook’s language preferences or change the device’s primary language.
Why Is Messenger Showing a Different Language From Facebook?
Messenger may follow your device’s language preferences, Facebook’s language settings, or app-specific preferences, depending on your setup. Check all relevant settings and restart Messenger after making a change.
Does Changing Messenger Language Translate My Messages?
No. Changing the interface language affects menus, buttons, and settings, but it does not automatically translate every message in your conversations. Message translation, when available, is a separate feature.
Can I Change Messenger Language on a Computer Without Changing Windows Language?
Usually, yes. If you’re using Messenger through a browser, check Facebook’s Language and Region settings first. You generally do not need to change Windows’ display language just to change the Facebook interface.
What Should I Do if My Preferred Language Is Missing?
Check whether your device and Messenger version support the language. Update the app and review the available language options again. If the language is still missing, you may need to select a different supported language.
Will Changing Messenger Language Delete My Chats?
No. Changing the interface language should not delete your conversations. However, avoid clearing app storage or reinstalling the app without making sure you can sign back into your account.
Final Words
Changing the language in Messenger is generally straightforward once you know where to look. On Android and iPhone, start by checking whether your device supports individual app language settings. On a Windows computer or Mac, check Facebook’s language preferences if you use Messenger through a browser.
If the language does not update immediately, restart Messenger, refresh the browser, or install any available app updates.
Remember that changing the interface language does not translate existing messages or change the language other people use in your conversations.