Changing the language on your MacBook can be a little confusing, especially if it’s your first time doing it.
Luckily, it’s a fairly simple process that can be done in just a few steps, but how to change language on MacBook?
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of changing the language on your MacBook, so you can use your device in the language of your choice.
To change the language on your MacBook, you’ll need to access the Language & Region settings.
This can be done by clicking on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen, then selecting System Preferences.
From there, click on Language & Region, and you’ll be taken to the settings page where you can make changes to your language preferences.
Whether you’re looking to change the language for your entire device, or just for specific apps, we’ll show you how to do it step-by-step.
So, if you’re ready to switch things up and use your MacBook in a different language, keep reading to find out how to do it.
Table of Contents
ToggleUnderstanding The Language Settings On Mac
If you’re using a Mac, you can easily change the language settings to suit your preferences.
The Language & Region settings allow you to choose the language and region of your choice. This section will help you understand how to navigate the language settings on your Mac.
To access the Language & Region settings, you can click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
From there, click on the General tab, and then click on Language & Region. You should see a list of preferred languages and a region selector.
The primary language is the language that your Mac will use for menus and other interface elements.
You can add additional preferred languages to your list, and your Mac will use them in order of preference.
If your preferred language is not available, your Mac will use the next language on the list.
You can also choose your preferred input source, which determines the keyboard layout and input method for your language.
It’s important to note that changing the system language will affect the language used in all apps and menus.
However, some apps may not support all languages, so you may need to change the language settings for individual apps.
In addition to choosing your language, you can also choose your region. This will affect settings such as date and time formats, currency, and measurement units.
You can also choose a custom format for displaying dates, times, and numbers.
Overall, the Language & Region settings on your Mac allow you to customize your experience and make it more comfortable for you.
With a few clicks, you can change the language and region to suit your preferences.
How To Change Language On MacBook
If you want to change the language on your MacBook, it’s a straightforward process.
You can easily add a new language, set a new primary language, and restart your Mac. Here’s how you can do it.
Adding A New Language
To add a new language on your MacBook, follow these steps:
- Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
- Click on “Language & Region” from the preferences pane.
- Click on the “+” button under the “Preferred Languages” section.
- Select the language you want to add from the list.
- Click “Add.”
Setting A New Primary Language
If you want to set a new primary language, follow these steps:
- Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
- Click on “Language & Region” from the preferences pane.
- Drag the language you want to set as the primary language to the top of the list.
- Close the preferences pane.
Restarting Your Mac
After you have added a new language or set a new primary language, you may need to restart your Mac for the changes to take effect. Here’s how you can do it:
- Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select “Restart” from the drop-down menu.
That’s it! You have successfully changed the language on your MacBook. If you need further assistance, you can always visit the Apple Support website or contact their support team.
Adjusting Language For Individual Applications
If you want to use a different language for a specific application on your Mac, you can easily adjust the language settings for that app. Here’s how:
Changing Language In Safari
If you want to change the language settings for Safari, follow these steps:
- Open Safari on your Mac.
- Click on “Safari” in the menu bar and select “Preferences.”
- Click on the “General” tab.
- In the “Preferred languages” section, click on the “+” button to add a new language.
- Choose the language you want to use and click “Add.”
- Drag the language to the top of the list to make it the default language for Safari.
Changing Language In Other Apps
To change the language settings for other apps on your Mac, follow these steps:
- Open “System Preferences” from the Apple menu.
- Click on “Language & Region.”
- Click on the “Apps” tab.
- Click on the “+” button to add a new app to the list.
- Choose the app you want to change the language settings for.
- Choose the language you want to use for the app from the drop-down menu.
- Click “Add” to save your changes.
Note that not all applications support changing the language settings. If you don’t see the app you want to change the language settings for in the list, it may not be possible to change the language for that app.
In summary, adjusting language settings for individual applications on your Mac is a simple process that can be done through the System Preferences menu.
By following the steps outlined above, you can easily change the language settings for Safari and other apps to suit your needs.
Modifying Keyboard Settings
If you need to type in a language that is different from the default language on your MacBook, you can modify the keyboard settings to add a new input source.
This will allow you to switch between languages on your keyboard. Here’s how to do it:
Adding A New Input Source
- Open “System Preferences” from the Apple menu on your MacBook.
- Click “Keyboard” in the System Preferences menu.
- Select the “Input Sources” tab in the Keyboard menu.
- Click the “+” button at the bottom left of the Input Sources page.
- Select the language you want to add from the list of available input sources.
- Choose the keyboard layout you prefer from the list of options for the language you selected.
- Click “Add” to add the new input source to your MacBook.
Switching Between Languages On Keyboard
Once you’ve added a new input source, you can switch between languages on your keyboard:
- Look for the language menu in the menu bar on your MacBook. It will show the current input source language.
- Click the language menu and select the language you want to use from the list of available input sources.
- Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Command + Space” to bring up the language menu and select the language you want to use.
By following these steps, you can easily modify your keyboard settings and add a new input source to your MacBook.
This will allow you to switch between languages on your keyboard and type in the language of your choice.
Changing Region And Format Settings
To change the region and format settings on your MacBook, you need to go to the “Language & Region” section in the System Preferences.
Here, you can select the region you want to use, which will affect the calendar, temperature, date format, temperature format, currency, measurement system, number format, list sort order, and term of address.
To change the region, click on the “Region” dropdown menu and select your country or region. This will update the settings for your MacBook to match the selected country or region.
For example, if you select the United States, your MacBook will use the US date format (MM/DD/YYYY) and temperature format (Fahrenheit).
In addition to the region, you can also customize the format settings for each category. For example, you can change the date format to display as DD/MM/YYYY or YYYY/MM/DD.
You can also change the temperature format to Celsius or Fahrenheit.
To customize these settings, click on the “Advanced” button in the “Language & Region” section.
Here, you can customize the format settings for each category, including the date, time, currency, and number format.
Overall, changing the region and format settings on your MacBook is easy and straightforward.
By customizing these settings, you can ensure that your MacBook displays the correct information based on your preferences and location.
Managing Language Settings For Multiple Users
If you share your MacBook with other users, it’s important to know that each user can set their own language preference.
This means that when you log in with your account, you’ll see the language you prefer, while others will see their own language when they log in.
To set the language preference for another user, you’ll need to log in to their account first.
You can do this by logging out of your account and then selecting the other user’s account from the login window.
Once you’re logged in to the other user’s account, you can change the language preference by going to System Preferences > Language & Region. From there, you can add new languages or remove existing ones.
It’s important to note that changing the language preference for one user does not affect the language preference for other users.
Each user can set their own language preference, and it will only apply to their account.
If you want to make sure that the language preference for each user is set correctly, you can restart your MacBook after making the changes.
This will ensure that the changes are applied system-wide and that each user sees their preferred language when they log in.
In summary, managing language settings for multiple users on your MacBook is easy. Each user can set their own language preference, and it will only apply to their account.
To change the language preference for another user, simply log in to their account and make the changes in System Preferences.
Restarting your MacBook after making the changes will ensure that each user sees their preferred language when they log in.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter any issues while changing the language on your MacBook, don’t panic. Here are some common issues and their solutions.
Issue: Language Not Appearing In The List Of Preferred Languages
If the language you want to use is not appearing in the list of preferred languages, you may need to download it from the App Store.
To do this, go to the App Store, search for the language you want to add, and then download it.
Issue: Notifications Still Appear In The Old Language
If you have changed the language on your MacBook, but notifications are still appearing in the old language, you may need to restart your MacBook. To do this, go to the Apple menu, click on Restart, and then click on Restart again.
Issue: Non-Latin Fonts Not Displaying Correctly
If you are using non-Latin fonts, and they are not displaying correctly, you may need to download and install the font. To do this, go to the website where you downloaded the font, and then follow the instructions for installing it.
Issue: Apps Not Using The Correct Language
If an app is not using the correct language, you may need to change the language settings for that app. To do this, go to the Apple menu, click on System Preferences, click on Language & Region, and then click on the app you want to change the language settings for.
Issue: Unable To Change The Language
If you are unable to change the language on your MacBook, you may need to contact Apple Support for assistance.
You can do this by going to the Apple Support website, and then following the instructions for contacting support.
Key Takeaways
Changing the language on your MacBook can be a simple process. Here are some key takeaways to remember when changing the language on your MacBook:
- To change the language your MacBook uses, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > General > Language & Region. From there, you can add or remove languages and set the order of preferred languages.
- If you need to write in another language, you can add a new input source. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources and click the plus sign to add a new input source.
- You can switch between input sources by clicking the language icon in the menu bar or using a keyboard shortcut. By default, the shortcut is Command + Space, but you can change it in Keyboard preferences.
- If you frequently switch between input sources, you may want to enable the Input menu in the menu bar. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources and check the box next to “Show Input menu in menu bar.” This will allow you to quickly switch between input sources without having to open System Preferences.
- Some applications may not support all languages, so you may need to switch the language of the application itself. To do this, open the application and go to its preferences. Look for a language or localization setting and choose the language you want to use.
- If you’re having trouble with a specific language or input source, try resetting the keyboard dictionary. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and click the “Reset to Default” button next to the keyboard dictionary.
By following these tips, you should be able to change the language on your MacBook and write in another language with ease.