Changing Keyboard Language on Mac [Guide]
If you regularly type in more than one language, changing the keyboard language on Mac can make your daily work much easier. Whether you want to type in Spanish, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, or another language, macOS lets you add different keyboard layouts and switch between them whenever you need.
You do not need to replace your physical keyboard to type in another language. Instead, you can add an Input Source in macOS and then switch between available languages using the menu bar or a keyboard shortcut.
In this guide, you will learn how to add a new keyboard language, switch between languages, remove an input source, and customize the keyboard settings.
Let’s go for it!
Changing Keyboard Language on Mac [Complete Guide]
To change the keyboard language on a Mac, you first need to add the language as an Input Source. Once it is added, you can switch between your preferred keyboard languages whenever you type.
The exact names of some settings can vary slightly depending on your macOS version. However, the overall process is similar on recent versions of macOS.
Before changing anything, remember that your Mac’s display language and keyboard input language are different settings. Changing the keyboard language does not necessarily change the language used throughout macOS.
Let’s explore the steps in detail!
Step 1: Open System Settings
The first step is to open System Settings on your Mac. This is where Apple places most of the options used to customize your Mac.
Click the Apple menu in the upper left corner of your screen. From the menu that appears, select System Settings.
If you are using an older version of macOS, you may see System Preferences instead. The appearance is different, but the keyboard language settings are still located in the keyboard section.
Once System Settings opens, look at the options displayed on the left side of the window. You will need to find the settings related to your keyboard.
Step 2: Open the Keyboard Settings
Inside System Settings, scroll through the sidebar and click Keyboard.
The Keyboard settings contain several options related to how your Mac handles typing. You may see settings for keyboard shortcuts, text input, key repeat, dictation, and other features.
Look for the Text Input section. Depending on your macOS version, you may see an option such as Edit next to Input Sources or a similar text input setting.
Click Edit to continue.
This area is important because it controls the languages and keyboard layouts available when you type. If you have never added another language before, you will probably see only your current keyboard layout.
Step 3: Add a New Keyboard Language
Now you can add the keyboard language you want to use.
In the Text Input settings, look for the Input Sources list. Click the plus (+) button to add another input source.
A list of available languages and keyboard layouts will appear. You can scroll through the list or use the search box to find the language you need.
For example, if you want to type in Hindi, search for Hindi. If you want to type in Spanish, search for Spanish.
Keep in mind that some languages have multiple keyboard layouts. These layouts can determine where letters, symbols, and special characters are located on your keyboard.
Select the language or keyboard layout you want and then click Add.
The new input source will now appear in your list of available keyboards.
Step 4: Choose the Keyboard Layout You Want
After selecting a language, macOS may show multiple keyboard layouts for that language. This is particularly common with languages that use different typing systems or regional layouts.
Take a moment to read the available options before selecting one. If you are unsure which layout to choose, the standard layout offered for your language is usually the best starting point.
After selecting the appropriate layout, click Add.
You should now see the new keyboard language alongside your existing input source.
You can repeat this process if you want to add several languages. For example, you could have English, Spanish, and Hindi available at the same time.
Step 5: Switch Between Keyboard Languages
Once you have added another keyboard language, you can switch between your available input sources while typing.
One simple method is to use the Input menu in the menu bar. Depending on your settings, you may see an input source icon or a language indicator near the upper right corner of the screen.
Click that indicator and select the keyboard language you want to use.
For example, if English and Spanish are installed, you can select Spanish when you want to type Spanish text and then switch back to English when you are finished.
This does not change the language of your Mac. It only changes the keyboard input method being used.
Use a Keyboard Shortcut to Change Languages
If you frequently switch between languages, using a keyboard shortcut can be much faster than opening the Input menu.
macOS commonly provides a shortcut for moving between input sources. Depending on your settings and macOS version, you may be able to use Control + Space to switch between available input sources.
Press the shortcut once to move to the next input source. Press it again to continue cycling through your available keyboards.
If the shortcut does not work, it may be assigned to another macOS feature. You can check your keyboard shortcuts through System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts.
Look for the settings related to Input Sources and check which shortcut is assigned to switching input sources.
Show the Input Menu in the Menu Bar
If you regularly work with multiple keyboard languages, displaying the Input menu in the menu bar can make switching easier.
Open System Settings and go to Keyboard. Open the Text Input settings and look for the option related to showing the Input menu in the menu bar.
Enable the option if it is available.
Once enabled, you can quickly see which keyboard language is active and switch to another input source by clicking the indicator.
This is especially useful for beginners because you can visually confirm which language is currently selected before you start typing.
Remove a Keyboard Language You No Longer Need
If you added a keyboard language by mistake or no longer use it, you can remove it without affecting your other languages.
Go to System Settings > Keyboard and open the Text Input or Input Sources settings.
Select the keyboard language or layout you want to remove. Then click the minus (-) button.
The selected input source will be removed from your Mac.
Removing an input source does not uninstall the language from macOS. It simply prevents that particular keyboard layout from appearing when you switch between input sources.
Test Your New Keyboard Language
After adding and selecting your new keyboard language, open an app such as TextEdit, Notes, or a web browser.
Click inside a text field and start typing.
Pay attention to the characters that appear on the screen. If the letters or symbols are not what you expected, check the active input source from the menu bar and make sure you selected the correct keyboard layout.
If you are using a language with a different writing system, you may also need to become familiar with how that particular input method works.
FAQs
Can I change the keyboard language without changing macOS’s display language?
Yes. Keyboard language and display language are separate settings. You can use a different keyboard input source while keeping the rest of macOS in your preferred display language.
How many keyboard languages can I add to my Mac?
You can add multiple Input Sources to your Mac. This allows you to switch between several languages depending on what you are typing.
Why is my Mac typing different characters?
Your active keyboard layout may have changed. Check the Input menu in the menu bar and select the keyboard layout you normally use.
How do I quickly switch between keyboard languages?
You can use the Input menu in the menu bar or an available keyboard shortcut such as Control + Space. If the shortcut does not work, check your keyboard shortcut settings.
Does changing the keyboard language change my physical keyboard?
No. Adding an input source changes how macOS interprets your keyboard input. It does not physically change the keys on your keyboard.
Can I remove a keyboard language later?
Yes. Open the Keyboard settings, go to your Input Sources, select the language you want to remove, and click the minus (-) button.
Summary
Changing the keyboard language on Mac is a straightforward process once you know where the Input Source settings are located. Start by opening System Settings, go to Keyboard, and open the Text Input settings. From there, add the language and keyboard layout you want to use.
After adding it, you can switch between languages using the Input menu or a keyboard shortcut. If you no longer need a language, you can remove it from the same settings area.
The most important thing to remember is that changing your keyboard language does not automatically change your Mac’s overall display language.
It simply gives you another way to enter text, making your Mac more convenient when you regularly communicate in multiple languages.