How to change your Gmail language settings to read or compose in another language on a computer or mobile device

• You can change Gmail’s display language, and in some instances, the message composition language on the desktop site and the Gmail app for iPhone and Android.
• Gmail’s desktop site allows you to type in different languages using special keyboards and input tools.
• To change your Gmail app display language on an Android or iPhone device, you’ll need to update your phone’s general language settings.
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As one of the most used email clients in the world, it makes sense that Gmail would be equipped to handle non-English language or multilingual users. 

In addition to reading your Gmail display in another language, Google offers several text input tools that allow users to type in their desired language (like Hindi, Arabic, Chinese) more easily. These can be accessed and updated with just a few tweaks in your email settings on the desktop site, but aren’t available in the Gmail app.

The process of updating your Gmail inbox to read messages in your preferred language will differ depending on what device you’re using. 

Gmail lets you update directly from your inbox while on the desktop site. However, app users will have to go into their device’s language settings menu and edit there. This will effectively change the language of all the apps on your phone, so make sure it’s what you want. 

Here’s how to change languages using Gmail’s desktop site and mobile apps.

How to change your Gmail display language on a computer

1. On your computer, go to your Gmail inbox.

2. In the top right corner, click the Settings icon

3. Click "See all settings."

4. Navigate to the "General" tab.

5. In the "Language" section, choose your preferred display language by clicking the dropdown menu.

6. Once a language has been selected, scroll down, and click "Save Changes."

How to change your Gmail display language on an iPhone

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap "General."

3. Select "Language & Region."

4. Choose "iPhone Language" and select your preferred language from the menu.

5. Tap your preferred language on the list and drag it to the top.

How to change your Gmail display language on an Android

1. Open your phone's Settings app.

2. Tap "General Management."

3. Choose "Language & Input."

4. Select "Language."

5. Tap your preferred language on the list and drag it to the top.

How to type in another language in Gmail on a computer

1. On your computer, go to your Gmail inbox. 

2. In the top right corner, click the Settings icon. 

3. Select "See all settings."

4. Navigate to the "General" tab.

5. In the "Language" section, choose "Show all language options."

6. Click the box next to "Enable input tools."

7. Select the types of input tools and keyboards you want to use by clicking to select them, then clicking the arrow to move them to the "Selected input tools" box. Double-clicking on an input tool will also move it to the "Selected input tools" box. 

8. Choose "OK" when finished.

9. Scroll down and select "Save Changes."

10. To use the input tools and keyboards you selected, go back to your Gmail inbox.

11. At the top right of the screen near the Settings icon, click the language icon. 

12. Click on the characters you wish to use when composing an email.

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

• How to change your keyboard language on a Windows 10 computer and type in another language

• How to change the language on an Android phone or tablet to the one you prefer

• How to change the keyboard language on a Mac computer, and switch between different languages with just a click

• How to change the language on your iPhone, and separately change the language that Siri speaks and understands

• You can change the language on your Chromebook in 2 ways — here's how