How to change the language in the Google Chrome browser

From Afrikaans to Zulu, Google Chrome has 153 language options to choose from

Google Chrome supports language diversity, enabling millions of people to surf the internet with their preferred dialects. The default language is set to English when you first use the browser. But you can choose a new one from over 100 languages without affecting your device’s default language. You can also translate web pages in foreign languages to a language you can understand. This way, you only translate the information you need and retain the default settings when you close a page.

You can easily do the above procedures within your Chrome browser on the best Android phones and Windows PCs. You need to change your device’s language if you use a device outside those two. In this article, we discuss the steps to follow for major devices using Chrome.

How to change Google Chrome’s language on Windows computers

On Windows computers, you can change the default language of Google Chrome from within the app. If you install Chrome on a Mac or Linux computer, you can only change the language from your computer’s settings menu. You may need to restart the browser for the changes to come into effect. Additionally, the option to display Google Chrome in a language or offer translations may be grayed out, meaning Chrome doesn’t support the language for its User Interface.

1. Run Google Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot icon beside your profile icon.
3. In the drop-down menu, select Settings. This option opens a new tab displaying the Chrome settings.

4. In the left sidebar, click Languages.

5. Click Add languages.

6. Select your preferred language from the list. You can select more than one.
7. When you’re done, click Add. The new languages appear under the Preferred languages section.

8. Click the three-dot icon near your preferred language.
9. To allow all Chrome’s UI and web pages to use this language, select Display Google Chrome in this language.

10. Some web pages may contain multiple languages. To translate these pages to your preferred language first before others, use the Move options to reorder languages.

11. To allow Google to offer translations any time you visit a page with foreign languages, click the toggle switch beside Use Google Translate.
12. Then click the three-dot icon beside your preferred language.
13. Click Offer to translate pages in this language.

How to change Google Chrome’s language settings on Android

There are three ways you can change Chrome’s language on your Android smartphone:

• Chrome’s language: Change the UI and web pages in Chrome to the language you choose.
• Preferred languages: Create a list of languages you want Chrome to translate web pages in. When you open a page written in multiple languages, Chrome first translates it to your preferred language. Only web pages are translated. Chrome’s UI remains the same.
• Translation settings: Control how Chrome translates languages. You can choose the languages the browser automatically translates pages in and those you don’t want it to translate. When you open a page, a tab pops up and offers to translate it.

Change Chrome’s language

1. Tap the three-dot icon.
2. Select Settings.

3. Under Advanced, select Languages.
4. To change Chrome’s UI language, tap Current device language.

5. Select a language from the list.
6. To find a language quickly, use the search icon in the upper-right corner of your screen.

7. Chrome downloads the language. When the download is complete, tap Restart Chrome.

Configure preferred language

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Tap the three-dot icon.
3. Go to Settings > Languages.
4. Under Preferred languages, tap Add language.

5. Choose your preferred language from the list, or use the search icon to find it.
6. To reorder the languages, use the drag icon.
7. To remove a language, tap the three-dot icon.

Change Translation settings

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Tap the three-dot icon.
3. Go to Settings > Languages.
4. By default, Chrome enables the Offer to send pages in other languages to Google Translate option. If it’s disabled, tap the toggle switch.
5. Use the Advanced options to choose languages you want or don’t want Chrome translation offers for.

How to change Google Chrome language on other devices

There’s no option to change Chrome’s language from within the browser if you use devices outside Windows and Android. The app uses your computer’s device settings instead. If English is your default language, then that’s what you see in your browser.

On macOS

1. Click the Apple icon to open a menu.
2. In the drop-down menu, select System Preferences.

3. Click Language & Region.

4. Click + below Preferred languages.

5. Select your preferred language and click Add.

6. You will receive a prompt to use your selection as your primary language. Click the Use option.

7. Restart your MacBook to effect the new settings. On some iOS devices, rebooting happens automatically.

On Chromebooks

1. Click the three-dot icon.
2. Select Settings.

3. Go to Languages and Inputs > Languages.

4. Click Change.

5. Select the language from the list. Then click Add.
6. Click the three-dot icon beside the language.
7. Select Display Chrome OS in this language.
8. Restart your Chromebook.

On iPhone or iPad

1. Go to Settings > General.
2. Select Language & Region.

3. Under Preferred Languages, tap Add Language.
4. Select a language from the list.

5. Restart your device. On some iOS devices, rebooting happens automatically.

More languages are on the way

Google Chrome offers a vast list of languages to choose from. No matter your first language or preferences, you can break language barriers when browsing the internet. If you don’t find your language among the available ones, Google regularly releases updates for Chrome to ensure that users have the best browsing experiences. You may need to update your browser to the latest version to enjoy them.