Changing your Mac’s system language is useful if you’re learning a new language or using a computer purchased in another country. However, switching the entire macOS interface isn’t always necessary. Sometimes, you may only want a specific application to appear in a different language while keeping the rest of your Mac unchanged.
Fortunately, macOS allows you to set a preferred language for individual apps. For example, you can keep your Mac in French while using Safari in English, or use Xcode in Japanese while the rest of the operating system remains in your native language. This feature is especially helpful for language learners, developers, translators, and users who work with multilingual software.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to change the language of a single Mac application without affecting the rest of your system.
Note: App-specific language settings are available on macOS Catalina (10.15) and later. Some applications may not support multiple languages, so the option may not be available for every app.
How to Change the Language of an Individual App on Mac
Apple has built this feature directly into macOS, so you don’t need to install any third-party software. Once you select a preferred language for an app, it will automatically use that language every time you open it.
Follow the steps below.
1. Click the Apple () menu in the upper-left corner of your screen and choose System Settings.
2. If you’re using an older version of macOS such as Catalina, Big Sur, or Monterey, select System Preferences instead.
3. In System Settings, click General, then select Language & Region.
4. On older macOS versions, simply open Language & Region from the main System Preferences window.
5. Scroll to the Applications section and click the + (plus) button.
6. A dialog box will appear where you can:
- Select the application you want to customise.
- Choose your preferred language from the available list.
7. After selecting both options, click Add to save your changes.
8. The next time you launch the app, it will open using the language you selected.
How to Reset an App to the Default Mac Language
If you no longer want an app to use a separate language, you can quickly restore it to your Mac’s default language.
Simply return to System Settings > General > Language & Region, select the app from the Applications list, and click the – (minus) button.
The app will once again follow your Mac’s primary system language.
Because the setting only applies to the selected app, it won’t affect menus, notifications, or other applications on your Mac.
macOS makes it easy to use different languages for individual applications without changing the language of the entire operating system. Whether you’re learning a new language, testing localised software, or simply prefer an app in English while keeping the rest of your Mac in your native language, the built-in Language & Region settings let you make the change in just a few clicks.
As long as you’re running macOS Catalina or later and the app supports multiple languages, you can customise its language independently and switch back to the default language whenever you want.
