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How to Change Language on Samsung Tablet? A Comprehensive Guide

Changing the language on your Samsung tablet is a simple process, crucial for tailoring the device to your preferred linguistic setting and enhancing user experience. You can easily adjust the system language, keyboard language, and even the language used by individual apps. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the steps involved:

Open the Settings App: Locate the Settings app on your Samsung tablet. It’s typically represented by a gear icon.
Navigate to General Management: Within the Settings app, scroll down and tap on “General management”. This section houses various system-level configurations.
Select Language: In the General management menu, find and tap on “Language”. This option controls the primary language used across your tablet’s interface.
Add or Select a Language:
- To select an existing language: If your desired language is already listed, simply tap on it to make it the default language.
- To add a new language: Tap on “Add language”. A list of available languages will appear. Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find your desired language. Once located, tap on the language, then choose a region or dialect if prompted.
Set as Default: After adding a language, it might not automatically become the default. Ensure the language you want to use is at the top of the list. If it’s not, tap and hold the language and drag it to the top position. This will prioritize it, and your tablet’s interface will switch to the selected language.

That’s it! Your Samsung tablet should now be using your chosen language. Keep reading for answers to frequently asked questions regarding language settings on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here’s a breakdown of 12 common questions Samsung tablet users have about changing and managing language settings:

1. How do I change the keyboard language on my Samsung tablet?

The keyboard language is often linked to the system language, but you can customize it independently.

Go to Settings > General management > Language > On-screen keyboard.
Select the keyboard you are using (e.g., Samsung Keyboard or Gboard).
Tap on “Languages and types”.
Choose “Manage input languages” to download and enable additional languages.
Select your desired languages.
You can then switch between enabled keyboard languages while typing by tapping the globe icon on the keyboard (if available) or using a keyboard shortcut (if configured).

2. My language isn’t listed in the ‘Add language’ options. What can I do?

Unfortunately, if a language isn’t listed, it’s generally not supported natively on your Samsung tablet. Consider these options:

Check for Updates: Ensure your tablet is running the latest software version. Updates sometimes include support for new languages. Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install.
Third-Party Keyboard Apps: Some third-party keyboard apps, like SwiftKey, offer wider language support than the default Samsung Keyboard or Gboard. Download and install one from the Google Play Store.
Language Learning Apps: While they won’t change the system language, language learning apps might offer the language options you need within their specific interface.

3. How do I change the language for a specific app on my Samsung tablet?

Android, in general, and Samsung tablets, in particular, now offers per-app language settings on newer versions of the operating system. Here’s how:

Go to Settings.
Search for “Apps” and tap on the result.
Select the app you want to change the language for.
Scroll down to “Language”.
Tap the language option and choose your preferred language for that specific app.

Note: This feature requires Android 13 (One UI 5) or newer, and the app itself must support independent language settings. If you don’t see the “Language” option for an app, it’s likely because the app doesn’t support this feature, or your device OS needs an update.

4. Can I set different languages for different user profiles on my tablet?

Yes, if you have multiple user profiles set up on your Samsung tablet, each profile can have its own language settings. Simply switch to the desired user profile and follow the steps outlined above to change the language within that profile.

5. I accidentally changed the language and now I can’t navigate the settings. How do I reset it?

This can be tricky, but here’s how to navigate back to the language settings even if you can’t read the current language:

Look for the gear icon (Settings) and tap it.
Scroll down and look for an icon that resembles three horizontal lines with circles (this is usually “General management”). The location may depend on your One UI version.
Within “General management,” look for an icon that resembles a globe with the letter “A” (this is the Language setting).
Tap on it, and you should see a list of languages. Tap your desired language (e.g., English). You can then reorder the languages to set it as default.
If this is too challenging, try to recognize any familiar app icons to find a translation app.

6. Will changing the language affect my installed apps?

Generally, changing the system language will affect most apps that support localization. These apps will automatically switch to the new language. However, some apps might have their own independent language settings that you need to adjust separately (see Question 3). Older apps may not fully support the new language and might display some text in the original language.

7. Why is the spell check still in the old language after I changed the keyboard language?

Spell check is often linked to the keyboard language. Ensure that the correct language is selected within your keyboard settings. Refer to Question 1 for instructions on changing the keyboard language. Also, check the specific spell-check settings within the keyboard app itself (e.g., Samsung Keyboard settings).

8. How do I download new fonts for my Samsung tablet?

While not directly related to language, custom fonts enhance readability.

Go to Settings > Display > Font size and style.
Tap on “Font style”.
You’ll see a list of pre-installed fonts.
Tap on “Download fonts” to access the Galaxy Store, where you can browse and download new fonts (some may be free, while others may require payment).

Keep in mind that some fonts may only support specific languages.

9. What is the “Auto fill” feature, and how does it relate to language settings?

“Auto fill” is a feature that automatically fills in forms, passwords, and other information. It can be affected by language settings because it needs to recognize the input fields and provide suggestions in the correct language.

Go to Settings > General management > Passwords and autofill.
Make sure your preferred auto-fill service (e.g., Google) is selected.
The auto-fill service will typically adapt to your device’s language settings. However, you may need to configure specific language preferences within the settings of your chosen auto-fill service.

10. How can I get voice input (speech-to-text) to work in my new language?

Voice input relies on language packs.

Go to Settings > General management > Language > Text-to-speech.
Make sure your desired language is selected as the preferred language.
Depending on the voice input method used (e.g., Google Voice Typing), you may need to download the corresponding language pack. This can usually be done within the voice input settings or by prompting the voice input feature to recognize a language it doesn’t have downloaded.

11. My app is still showing in the wrong language even after changing the system language and checking app-specific settings. What’s wrong?

This usually means the app may not support localization for your chosen language, doesn’t properly implement it, or is relying on outdated language files. There’s not much you can do directly. Contact the app developer to report the issue. In the meantime, you can try:

Clearing App Cache: Go to Settings > Apps, select the app, tap on Storage, and then tap Clear cache.
Reinstalling the App: Uninstall and reinstall the app to ensure you have the latest version.

These steps may help, but aren’t guaranteed to fix the issue.

12. Is there a way to translate text on my Samsung tablet without changing the entire system language?

Yes! Several methods exist:

Google Translate App: Download and use the Google Translate app to translate text, images, and even conversations in real-time.
Google Assistant: You can use Google Assistant to translate phrases or sentences.
Samsung Internet Browser: The Samsung Internet browser has a built-in translation feature. While browsing a webpage in a different language, a translation prompt will appear.
Third-Party Translation Apps: Many translation apps are available on the Google Play Store. Choose one based on your specific needs.

These tools provide convenient translation capabilities without permanently altering your tablet’s language settings.

By following these steps and referring to these FAQs, you can confidently manage language settings on your Samsung tablet to create a more personalized and user-friendly experience.