How to Change the Language on Google Maps

Get Google Maps navigation in a different language

By
Elise Moreau
Elise Moreau
Elise Moreau
Freelance Contributor
  • University of Ontario
  • George Brown College
Elise Moreau is a writer that has covered social media, texting, messaging, and streaming for Lifewire. Her work has appeared on Techvibes, SlashGear, Lifehack and others.
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Updated on April 11, 2022
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher headshot
Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute

Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA-certified technologist with more than 10 years of experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.

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What to Know

  • Google Maps on the web: Click the menu in the top left, then click Language and select any language to set it.
  • Google Maps app for Android: Tap your profile picture in the top right, tap Settings > Navigation settings > Voice selection > a language. To also adjust the text language go to Settings > App language.
  • Google Maps app for iPhone: Change your language on your iPhone to also change it across the Google Maps app.

This article will explain how to change the language Google Maps uses as you navigate any location.

On Android, you can customize the built-in voice engine language to get turn-by-turn navigation directions as well as travel alerts. Unfortunately, this is not supported on the iOS version of the app, but you can easily get around this by changing the language your iOS device will use. Once you do that, the Google Maps iOS app changes as well.

How to Change the Language on the Google Maps Web Version

Follow these instructions to change the language on the web version of Google Maps.

  1. Click on the menu icon in the top left corner of the screen.

    Menu button on Google Maps in browser

  2. Click Language from the vertical menu.

    Language in Google Maps menu

  3. Click on a language from the list to apply it to Google Maps.

    An optional language in Google Maps Select Language menu

    Note

    Keep in mind that map labels will be shown in the country's corresponding local language, but place information will be shown in your chosen language.

How to Change the Language on the Google Maps App for Android

Follow these instructions to change the language on the Google Maps app for Android.

  1. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the search bar.

  2. Tap Settings.

  3. Scroll down and tap Navigation settings.

    Profile picture > Settings > Navigation settings

  4. Tap Voice selection.

  5. Tap a language to select it and apply it to the Google Maps app.

    Voice Selection > Language Selection in Google Maps app settings

  6. Continue using the Google Maps app as normal with your new language.

How to Change the Language on the Google Maps App for iPhone

Follow these instructions to change the language on the Google Maps app for iPhone.

  1. To change the language on the Google Maps app for features like map labels, buttons, turn-by-turn navigation and additional features, you have to change the language on your iPhone from your device settings.

  2. To change the language for voice search on the Google Maps app, tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the search bar.

  3. Tap Settings.

  4. Tap Voice Search under Using Maps.

    Profile picture > Settings > Voice Search in Google Maps app on iOS

  5. Tap a language to select it.

  6. Tap the back button in the top left corner and continue using Google Maps as normal. You can now speak in the language you set for Voice Search when using this feature in Google Maps.

    Selected language and back button in Google Maps app on iOS

Note

Once you change the language on the Google Maps mobile app for Android or iPhone, you may still hear upcoming turns onto streets for turn-by-turn navigation directions, however you may not hear the names of those streets.

FAQ
  • How do I change the voice in Google Maps?

    You can change the default Google Maps navigation voice to another preset option. Go to Settings > Navigation settings > Voice selection and choose a voice from the list.

  • Why is my Google map in a different language?

    Google Maps automatically shows place names in local languages. You can change a language using Google Maps in a web browser. Go to Menu > Language and select a language.

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