Adjusting your language settings is an easy way to customize Google Chrome. The popular web browser supports a wide variety of languages making it easy to display the browser in your preferred language. If you’ve never changed them before, you might be wondering where you can find these settings in the Google Chrome menu.
Here is what you need to know about changing your language settings and preferences in Chrome.
Add a new language
Changing the language used in Chrome only takes a few steps, but keep in mind that it only applies to the Chrome interface. For instance, if you change the default language to French, all text within the Chrome interface, such as menus and settings, appear in French. The change does not apply to web content.
The following instructions are based on Chrome 90 for Windows 10 and Chrome OS. And although the user interface has slight differences in appearance, you can (generally) still use this method in the Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge. This method does not work with Chrome for MacOS.
Step 1: With Chrome open, click the three-dot Customize and Control Google Chrome button located in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Click Settings listed on the drop-down menu.
Note: The Settings panel is also accessible by typing “chrome://settings/” in the address bar.
Step 3: Select Advanced which is listed on the left.
Step 4: Click Languages listed on the newly expanded menu on the left.
Step 5: On the right, click the down arrow icon next to Language to expand the list.
Step 6: Click the blue Add Languages link.
Step 7: A pop-up window appears. Click the box next to the language you want to add, followed by the blue Add button.
Step 8: The new language now appears on the Languages list. Click the three-dot More Actions icon to the right of each language to reorder or remove as needed.
Note: Moving the new language to the top of the list does not make it the default.
Step 9: Once you’re done, close the Settings tab. All changes save and update automatically.
Display the new language
After adding the new language, now it’s time to set it as the default.
Step 1: As instructed in the first section, navigate through Settings > Advanced > Languages and click the down arrow icon to expand the Language menu.
Step 2: Click the three-dot More Actions button to the right of your new language.
Step 3: In the pop-up menu, click the box next to Display Google Chrome in This Language to set the new language as your default.
Step 4: Click the Relaunch button now displayed next to the new default language.
A note about web content
If you switched Chrome’s interface language from English to French, all internet content stays in its original language. For instance, you’ll view Digital Trends in English because it’s still classified as a language you use. If you navigate to a website in Spanish, Google Translate will suggest English as the language.
If an all-French adventure is appealing to you, you can obtain this by eliminating English from your Languages settings. When you remove it, you’re telling Google Chrome that English is not a language you usually read.
Step 1: Navigate through Settings > Advanced > Languages as previously outlined and click the down arrow icon next to Language.
Step 2: Click the three-dot More Action icon next to English and select Remove on the pop-up menu.
You also have the choice to set Chrome to advise your other added languages when you visit a foreign website. However, keep in mind that this will only work for languages not currently on your list. Your default language (Chrome user interface language), will already have this ability. For your other added languages:
Step 1: Go to Settings > Advanced > Languages as previously described and select the down arrow beside Language.
Step 2: Select the three-dot More Actions symbol beside one of your other added languages, not the default Chrome user interface one.
Step 3: Check the box beside Offer to Translate Pages in This Language.
To evade any specific and somewhat irritating translation adjustments, you can use Google’s other translation aids. Google has a dedicated Translate website that efficiently translates words and documents, which can save you valuable time and effort. We highly recommend that new users check out our handy guide on how to use Google Translate. We also suggest downloading the extension for Google Translate for easy access if you know you’ll be using the tool on a regular basis.
