How to Change Language on Your Chromebook (2024)

Unlike a few years ago, ChromeOS is now a much-more matured operating system that comes with many desktop-class features. Chromebooks allow you to change the system language as well as app-specific language. Moreover, you can change the browser language in a few clicks. So if you recently purchased a ChromeOS laptop and want to change the language on your Chromebook, here is how you can do it.

Method 1: Change System Language on Chromebook

Changing the system language will apply the language across the UI and native ChromeOS apps on your Chromebook. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Settings > System Preferences.
2. Click Languages and then click Change.

3. Select a language or use the search bar to search for a language.
4. Once selected, click Confirm and restart.

5. Once the Chromebook reboots, you should see the language applied across the UI.

Method 2: Change App Language on Chromebook

Google introduced app-specific languages with Android 13 and the same feature has been added to ChromeOS’ ARCVM container with the Android 13 update. Here’s how to use it:

1. Go to Settings > System Preferences > Languages.
2. Open App languages and click the three dots beside an app.

3. Now, click Edit language selection and search from the list of languages.

4. Once you choose a language, click Update. The app and its elements should now use the selected language.

Method 3: Change Website Language on Chromebook

The system language in Chromebooks doesn’t apply to webpages so you have to change the website language in another setting.

1. Go ahead and open Settings > System Preferences > Languages. Scroll down and open Website languages.
2. Click Add languages and select the ones you want to add.

3. You can also use the search bar to find the languages. Once done, click Add.

4. Then click the three vertical dots and click Move to the top. The top selection will become the preferred language on websites.

Method 4: Change Google Account Language on Chromebook

1. Go to Settings > System preferences > Language.
2. Scroll down and click Manage Google Account language.

3. In the webpage that opens, click the pencil icon in the Preferred Language section.

4. Search and select a language you want to switch to and click Save.

Method 5: Change Language on Chromebook With a Keyboard Shortcut

Apart from the above-mentioned steps, you can also use a nifty ChromeOS keyboard shortcut to quickly change the language on a Chromebook.

1. Go to Settings > Device > Keyboard and inputs.
2. Scroll down and click Input settings.

3. Click Add input methods.

4. Select a language and click Add.

5. Once added, turn on the Show input options toggle.

6. You can now switch between different languages from the taskbar or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Space.

These are the easiest ways to change or add your preferred language to your Chromebook. Were you successful in changing the language across the ChromeOS UI, apps, and also, your Google account? Let us know in the comments below.