Are you tired of fumbling through your Mac’s keyboard settings, trying to figure out how to switch languages? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the effortless technique for changing your keyboard language on your Mac. Whether you’re a seasoned Mac user or a recent convert, this step-by-step walkthrough will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to master this essential task.
To embark on this language-switching adventure, begin by navigating to your Mac’s System Preferences. Within this control center, you’ll discover a diverse array of settings tailored to your Mac’s behavior. Amongst these options, locate the “Language & Region” preference pane. Here lies the gateway to customizing your Mac’s linguistic landscape. Once you’ve entered this pane, prepare yourself for a seamless transition to your desired keyboard language. A mere click on the “Keyboard Preferences” button will unveil a new realm of language-related options.
Within the Keyboard Preferences window, your eyes will be greeted by a comprehensive list of all installed input sources, each representing a different language. To add a new language to your repertoire, simply click on the “+” button located at the bottom of the list. A vast selection of languages awaits your exploration, spanning the globe from Arabic to Zulu. Once you’ve identified your target language, select it from the list and click the “Add” button. Voilà! Your Mac will now recognize and support the newly added language. To switch between languages, utilize the convenient “Input Source” menu located in your Mac’s menu bar. By clicking on this menu, you’ll be presented with a list of all available languages, allowing you to swiftly switch between them. Additionally, you can assign keyboard shortcuts to specific languages for even quicker access.
Accessing the System Preferences
To alter the keyboard language on your Mac, you must first access the System Preferences, which is the central hub for configuring your Mac’s settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide to access the System Preferences:
1. Click on the Apple Menu: Begin by clicking on the Apple menu located in the top-left corner of your screen. It’s the menu with the Apple logo.
2.Select ‘System Preferences’: From the drop-down menu that appears, select ‘System Preferences.’ This will open the System Preferences window.
3. Locate the ‘Language & Region’ Section: Within the System Preferences window, navigate to the ‘Language & Region’ section. You can find it under the ‘Personal’ category or by using the search bar at the top of the window.
4. Click on the ‘Keyboard Preferences’ Tab: Once you’ve located the ‘Language & Region’ section, click on the ‘Keyboard Preferences’ tab. This tab contains all the settings related to your Mac’s keyboard, including language preferences.
Selecting Keyboard Settings
To modify your keyboard language, navigate to “System Preferences.” Click on the “Keyboard” icon, followed by the “Input Sources” tab. Beneath the “Input Sources” list, hit the plus button (+) to add a new input source. Select the desired language from the list that appears, and then click “Add.” The newly added language will now be available for use.
Once multiple input sources have been added, you can switch between them using the Input menu bar item or the keyboard shortcut Control + Space (default setting). The Input menu bar item is located in the menu bar at the top of the screen, next to the clock. To change the keyboard shortcut for switching input sources, click on the “Keyboard” menu in the menu bar and select “Input Sources.” In the “Input Sources” window, click on the “Input Method” tab and then select the desired keyboard shortcut from the drop-down menu next to “Switch Input Source.”
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Input menu bar item | Click on the Input menu bar item to open a menu of available input sources. Select the desired input source from the menu. |
| Keyboard shortcut | Press the keyboard shortcut Control + Space (default setting) to switch between input sources. |
| Custom keyboard shortcut | In the “Input Sources” window, under the “Input Method” tab, select the desired keyboard shortcut from the drop-down menu next to “Switch Input Source.” |
Modifying the Input Sources
It is worth mentioning that you can utilize the Input menu to add additional keyboard layouts, manage the order of your preferred languages, and set specific input source preferences.
To commence, locate the flag icon within the menu bar at the top-right corner of your screen or click on the “Input Source” option from the menu bar.
Once the Input menu is displayed, select “Keyboard Preferences…” to access a comprehensive list of keyboard settings.
Adding a New Input Source
Follow these steps to add a new input source:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Within the Keyboard Preferences window, navigate to the “Input Sources” tab. |
| 2 | Click on the “+” button located at the bottom left corner of the language list. |
| 3 | From the drop-down menu that appears, choose the language you want to add. |
| 4 | Select the specific keyboard layout you desire. |
| 5 | Click on the “Add” button to include the new input source. |
Now, you can toggle between the installed input sources using the Input menu or by pressing the “Command (⌘) + Space” keyboard shortcut.
Adding a New Language
To add a new language to your Mac’s keyboard, follow these steps:
- Open the System Preferences on your Mac.
- Click on the “Language & Region” option.
- Click the “Add a Language” button (+ symbol) at the bottom of the “Preferred Languages” section.
- In the “Add Language” window, select the language you want to add from the list on the left and click the “Add” button.
Manually Adding a Keyboard Layout
If your desired keyboard layout is not listed in the “Add Language” window, you can manually add it in three simple steps:
- In the “System Preferences” window, click on the “Keyboard” option.
- Click the “Input Sources” tab.
- Click the “+” button beneath the list of available input sources and select the keyboard layout you want to add.
Additional Options
Once you have added a new language, you can customize its keyboard layout by clicking on the “Customize” button next to the language in the “Input Sources” tab. Here you can modify the layout, shortcuts, and other settings specific to that language.
To quickly switch between keyboard languages, you can use the “Input menu” located in the menu bar at the top of the screen. This menu provides a quick and easy way to select the active input source without having to go through the System Preferences.
Reordering Input Sources
MacOS allows you to customize the order of your input sources, making it easy to switch between languages. To reorder input sources:
1. Open System Preferences.
2. Click on Language & Region.
3. Click on Preferred Languages.
4. Drag and drop the input sources into the desired order.
5. Click the “Apply” button to save your changes.
Managing Input Sources
Below the list of preferred languages, you will see a table that displays all available input sources and their status. Here is a description of each column:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Input Source | The name of the input source. |
| Status | Indicates whether the input source is active, inactive, or selected. |
| Keyboard | Shows the keyboard layout associated with the input source. |
| Flag | Displays the flag of the country associated with the input source. |
To change the status of an input source, click on the corresponding cell in the Status column. To add a new input source, click on the “+” button. To remove an input source, click on the “-” button.
Setting a Default Language
When you add a new language to your Mac, you can set a default one to be used in all applications and windows. This will save you the trouble of manually switching between languages each time you use the computer. To set a default language, follow these steps:
- Open the System Preferences by clicking the Apple menu and selecting System Preferences.
- Click on the Language & Region preference pane.
- In the Preferred languages section, drag the language you want to set as the default to the top of the list.
- Click the Apply button in the bottom right corner of the window.
- You will be asked to log out and log back in for the changes to take effect.
- Once you log back in, the default language will be used in all applications and windows.
You can also set different default languages for specific applications. To do this, follow these steps:
| Application | How to Set Default Language |
|---|---|
| Safari | Open Safari and go to the Safari menu. Select Preferences and click on the Advanced tab. In the Language section, select the desired default language from the drop-down menu. |
| Open the Mail app and go to the Mail menu. Select Preferences and click on the General tab. In the Default language for composing messages section, select the desired default language. | |
| TextEdit | Open TextEdit and go to the TextEdit menu. Select Preferences and click on the New Document tab. In the Language section, select the desired default language from the drop-down menu. |
Using the Language Menu Bar Icon
This method provides a convenient way to switch between languages from the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Steps:
1. Locate the Language Menu Bar Icon: Look for a small flag icon in the menu bar, typically located on the right-hand side.
2. Click on the Flag Icon: A drop-down menu will appear, displaying a list of installed language options.
3. Hover Over a Language: Move the cursor over a language to see a preview of the associated keyboard layout.
4. Select the Desired Language: Click on the name of the language you want to use to activate it.
5. Alternative Key Combination: You can also use the keyboard shortcut “Control + Spacebar” to quickly toggle between the last two used languages.
6. Add Input Sources: To add more languages, click on the “Edit Input Sources…” option at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
7. Configure Input Method Options (Detailed):
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Automatically switch input source based on language of the current document | Enables automatic language switching based on the text being typed. |
| Use Control-Spacebar to switch input source | Allows you to toggle between languages using the “Control + Spacebar” keyboard shortcut. |
| Show Input source in menu bar | Keeps the Language Menu Bar Icon displayed even when not used. |
| Show Keyboard & Character Viewer | Provides a virtual keyboard and character palette for easy access to special characters. |
Configuring Keyboard Shortcuts
To further customize your language switching experience, you can set up keyboard shortcuts for quickly toggling between languages. Here’s how:
1. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources.
2. Click the “Input Menu” tab.
3. Select the “Keyboard Shortcuts” option.
4. Find the “Select the previous input source” and “Select the next input source” options.
5. Click the “Set Shortcut” button next to each option.
6. Press the desired keyboard shortcut combination (e.g., Command + Space or Option + Space).
7. Click the “OK” button to save your changes.
8. Advanced Shortcut Customization:
If you’re familiar with AppleScript, you can delve deeper into customizing language-switching shortcuts. You can create your own scripts and assign them as shortcuts through the following steps:
| Script | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| 1. Open Script Editor (located in /Applications/Utilities) | |
| 2. Enter the following script:
“` |
⌘ + Option + 2 |
| 3. Save the script as an application. | |
| 4. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources > Input Menu > Keyboard Shortcuts. | |
| 5. Set the “Select Previous Input Source” shortcut to the saved script. |
This script serves as an example; you can modify it to suit your specific requirements.
Troubleshooting Keyboard Language Changes
If you’re having trouble changing the keyboard language on your Mac, try the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Make Sure You Have Multiple Keyboard Layouts Installed
To change the keyboard language, you must have multiple keyboard layouts installed. To check this, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources. If you only see one keyboard layout listed, click the “+” button to add a new one.
2. Restart Your Mac
Sometimes, restarting your Mac can resolve keyboard language issues. After restarting, try changing the keyboard language again.
3. Reset the Keyboard Shortcuts
If the keyboard shortcuts for changing the keyboard language aren’t working, you can reset them. To do this, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Input Sources. Click the “Restore Defaults” button and then try changing the keyboard language again.
4. Check the Input Menu
If the keyboard language isn’t changing when you press the keyboard shortcut, check the Input menu in the menu bar. The Input menu shows the current keyboard layout and provides options for changing it. If the Input menu isn’t showing, you can enable it by going to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources and checking the “Show Input Menu in menu bar” box.
5. Reinstall the macOS
If none of the above steps work, you can try reinstalling the macOS. This will erase all of your data, so be sure to back up your important files before proceeding. To reinstall the macOS, restart your Mac and hold down the Command (⌘) and R keys until the Apple logo appears. Then, follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Contact Apple Support
If you’re still having trouble changing the keyboard language on your Mac, you can contact Apple Support for assistance.
7. Use a Third-Party App
There are a number of third-party apps that can help you change the keyboard language on your Mac. One popular app is Keyboard Maestro. Keyboard Maestro allows you to create custom keyboard shortcuts for changing the keyboard language, as well as for other tasks.
8. Create a New User Account
If the keyboard language issue is only affecting one user account, you can try creating a new user account. To create a new user account, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups. Click the “+” button and then enter a name for the new user account. Once the new user account is created, log out of your current account and log into the new one. See if the keyboard language issue is still occurring. If it’s not, you can transfer your files from the old user account to the new one and then delete the old user account.
9. Hardware Issues
In rare cases, keyboard language issues can be caused by hardware problems. If you’ve tried all of the above troubleshooting steps and you’re still having trouble changing the keyboard language, it’s possible that your keyboard or another hardware component is malfunctioning. You can try connecting a different keyboard to your Mac to see if that resolves the issue. If it does, you may need to replace your keyboard or have it repaired.
Advanced Keyboard Settings
To further customize your keyboard settings, click on the “Advanced…” button at the bottom of the Input Sources pane. Here, you’ll find a range of advanced options to tweak.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Modify keyboard shortcuts for specific actions, such as switching input sources or accessing special characters.
Text Services
Manage text substitution, autocorrection, and other text-related services.
Character Picker
Use the Character Picker to conveniently insert special characters, symbols, and emojis that may not be readily available on your keyboard.
Input Menu
Customize the Input Menu, which appears when you click on the flag icon in the menu bar. Set preferences for input source switching, show or hide options, and more.
Text Input
Configure settings related to text input, including automatic capitalization, autocorrection, and key repetition.
Accessibility
Enable accessibility options, such as Sticky Keys and Slow Keys, to facilitate typing for users with disabilities.
Keyboard Viewer
Display an on-screen keyboard viewer to help visualize the keyboard layout and key positions, especially useful for troubleshooting or learning new keyboard shortcuts.
Shortcuts for Input Sources
Assign specific keyboard shortcuts for quickly switching between different input sources.
Input Source Palette
Configure the Input Source Palette, which provides a graphical interface for switching input sources and previewing different keyboard layouts.
Custom Keyboard Layouts
Create and modify custom keyboard layouts to personalize your typing experience or accommodate specialized needs.
Additional Resources
For comprehensive information on Mac keyboard settings, refer to the following resources:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Apple Support Article: Change Keyboard Preferences on Mac | Official Apple documentation providing detailed instructions on keyboard settings. |
| MacOS User Guide: Customize Keyboard Settings on Mac | Comprehensive guide covering all aspects of keyboard customization. |
| Third-Party Keyboard Customization Software | Explore third-party applications that offer enhanced keyboard customization options. |
How to Change Keyboard Language on Mac
Changing the keyboard language on your Mac allows you to type in different languages and use specific characters associated with those languages. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
- Click on “Keyboard.”
- Select the “Input Sources” tab.
- Click on the “Plus” button (+) in the lower-left corner.
- Select the desired language from the list.
- Click “Add.”
Your selected language will now be added to the list of available input sources. To switch between languages, use the following shortcuts:
- Press “Control + Spacebar”
- Click on the “Input Menu” icon in the menu bar and select the desired language.
People Also Ask About How To Change Keyboard Language on Mac
Can I add multiple keyboard languages on my Mac?
Yes, you can add as many keyboard languages as you need by following the steps described above.
How do I change the default keyboard language on my Mac?
To change the default keyboard language, drag the desired language to the top of the list in the “Input Sources” tab within “System Preferences.”
Can I change the keyboard language in specific apps on my Mac?
Yes, you can change the keyboard language for specific apps by selecting the app in the “Preferences” section of the “Keyboard” settings. Click on the “Input Sources” tab and select the desired language for that app.
