How to Change Language in Google Maps on Android and iPhone

Google Maps picks a language and a regional domain automatically based on your device's location data. But the developers give you the option to change these settings manually.

На странице

1. The Google Maps web version
2. Google Maps on Android
3. Google Maps on iOS
4. FAQ

The Google Maps web version

To change the language settings in a browser:

1. Click the menu button — the three lines to the left of the "Search Google Maps" bar. 
2. In the drop-down list, choose "Language".
3. A list of every available language will appear. Choose the one you want, and the map will display in that language. 

The recommended language is shown in bold. The system picks it based on your location. 

To change the interface language:

1. Open the menu.
2. Choose "Search settings".
3. In the left-hand menu, click the "Languages" tab.

Two language settings appear on the screen:

• Which language should Google products use? — pick the language you want for system notifications, button labels, and menu items.
• Show search results in these languages — by default Google uses the same language chosen for the interface. If for some reason you need search results in a different language, pick it here.

Click Save after choosing the settings.

Google Maps on Android

To change the language in the Android app:

1. Open Google Maps.
2. Tap your profile icon (top right of the screen).
3. Find "Settings" in the menu and open it.
4. Choose "App language".

At the top you'll see the recommended languages. If you're in the U.S., for example, English will appear here. If you need another language, find it in the full list of supported languages.

Note that you're changing settings not just for Google Maps but for the Google account you're signed into. So the language changes across every Google service.

Google Maps on iOS

On iPhone or iPad, use these settings:

1. Go to the search settings page.
2. Open language settings.
3. Under "Google services language", choose the interface language — for service notifications, menu items, and buttons.
4. Under "Search results language" the default matches the interface. If you need a different language for search results, change it here.
5. Tap "Save".

Google apps usually sync with the device settings, so you can change the language from within the iPhone or iPad itself. To do this, go to the Settings app; under General → Language & Region → iPhone/iPad Language, pick the option you want and tap "Done" to save.

FAQ

Do street names change when the language changes?

Map elements are automatically shown in the language of the country they're located in. But you can change these settings — otherwise, how would tourists navigate? When the language is changed, the voice assistant won't read street names aloud, but the navigator will still tell you where to turn and where to go.

Does the app need to be restarted for a language change?

If nothing happened after you changed the language settings and the language stayed the same, try reinstalling the app. Make sure the phone's system settings are on the language you want. When installed, the app will default to the same language.

1. Uninstall Google Maps from the phone or tablet — via "Trash" or Google Play.
2. Go to Settings, find "Language and input", and set the language.
3. Return to the phone's menu.
4. Open Google Play.
5. Download the Google Maps app.

Language settings will automatically sync with the smartphone's settings.

How do I change the voice of the Google Maps assistant?

You can change the language and voice of the Google Maps navigator. It won't speak street names after a language change, but it will give directions in the chosen language.

1. Open Google Maps.
2. Tap the profile icon, then Settings.
3. Choose "Navigation settings", then "Voice".
4. Set the voice and language you want.

A voice assistant helps you drive without staring at the screen. Users can make the experience more comfortable by choosing the assistant's voice.

For Android:

1. Launch Google Maps on your tablet or phone.
2. Open profile settings.
3. In "Settings", tap "Navigation settings".
4. In the "Voice selection" section, the active voice is marked with a check.
5. From the list of available languages, pick the one you want.
6. Tap Back to return to the map.
7. Set your current location using the "Go" button at the bottom.
8. Set a destination.
9. Tap "Start" — you'll hear the navigator directing you in a new voice.

If you'd also like to change the assistant's gender, you'll have to skip it. Google doesn't offer that option.

How to change the language in the Android OS

If you can't type a query in the language you want, change it in the phone's settings:

1. From the main menu, open the Settings app (the gear icon).
2. Find the "Language and input" category.
3. Choose "Keyboard and input methods", then "Input languages".

A long list of languages opens — pick the one you want. Menu names and locations can differ by phone model.

How to change the language in iOS

On Apple devices, language settings can be changed like this:

1. Go to Settings → General → Language & Region → iPhone Language.
2. Choose the language you want.
3. Confirm.

Reinstalling the maps app will let it pick up the new system settings.

Why is Google Maps in a different language from the OS?

Google Maps may use your account settings or your device location. That's why service and OS settings can diverge. 

Which languages does Google Maps support?

Google supports roughly 80 languages, including those spoken in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe.

Where to find region settings for English

Google Maps automatically picks a domain based on your location and shows the part of the map where you are. Google Maps runs on several national domains and opens in the language of that domain's country.

If you need to see the map and interface in English, manually switch to the .com domain:

1. Open Google Maps in a browser.
2. Go to Menu → Search settings.
3. At the bottom of the page there's a "Region" section.
4. Tick the English-speaking country you want.
5. Click "Save".

The site will now open on the domain and language you chose.