It can be jarring when the notifications from your messenger app suddenly switch to another language. You’re used to reading English, but now the notifications are in Spanish, Arabic, or something else unfamiliar. Rest assured, there are a few straightforward reasons why this happens and ways to switch your notifications back to your preferred language.
Possible Causes
Here are some common reasons why your messenger notifications may have changed languages:
Your Phone’s System Language Changed
Many messenger apps will automatically adjust notification languages based on your phone’s system language settings. So if your system language was changed to Spanish for some reason, your messenger apps will likely follow suit.
To check your system language on an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Language & Region. On Android, go to Settings > System > Languages & input > Languages. If your system language differs from what you expect, you can change it back to your preferred language.
You Added Contacts Who Use Another Language
Messenger apps may detect when you add new contacts that appear to use a different language. For example, if you add contacts with Arabic names, they may automatically switch your notifications to Arabic to match.
The app is trying to be helpful by mirroring the language used by your new connections. But if you prefer notifications in your primary language, you’ll need to override this auto-switch.
You Allowed Location Access
Many apps will auto-detect your location and change the language accordingly. So if you travel to France, messenger apps may see your location change and start sending French notifications.
It’s easy to accidentally leave location access enabled without realizing it. Check your app permissions and turn off location access if you don’t want your notifications changing by location.
Your Phone’s Locale Setting Changed
The locale refers to your regional language and formatting preferences. It’s possible your phone’s locale setting was unintentionally changed.
On iPhone, check Settings > General > Language & Region > Region to verify your locale is what you expect. On Android, go to Settings > System > Languages & input > Languages > Region preferences.
If the locale is incorrectly set to a foreign country, it can trigger apps to switch notification languages.
You Have Multiple Language Keyboards Enabled
Many people enable multiple language keyboards on their phones to make it easier to switch between languages. But having foreign language keyboards enabled can confuse some apps.
Double check your keyboard languages under Settings. If you have keyboards enabled for languages you don’t use, consider removing them.
It’s a Bug or Glitch
Sometimes messenger apps end up showing notifications in the wrong language simply due to a bug or random technical glitch. Closing and reopening the app may help snap it back to your expected language.
If not, you may need to change the notification language manually in the app’s settings. A future app update will likely address any persistent language issues caused by bugs.
How to Change Notification Language
If your messenger app is showing notifications in the wrong language, here’s how to change it back:
Facebook Messenger
On Android:
1. Open the Messenger app
2. Tap your profile picture
3. Tap Preferences
4. Tap Language
5. Select your desired language
On iPhone:
1. Open the Settings app
2. Scroll down and tap Facebook Messenger
3. Tap Notifications
4. Under Notification Language, select your desired language
On Android:
1. Open WhatsApp
2. Tap the 3-dot menu
3. Select Settings
4. Tap Notifications
5. Tap Notification language
6. Select your desired language
On iPhone:
1. Open WhatsApp
2. Tap Settings
3. Tap Notifications
4. Under Notification Language, select your desired language
Telegram
On Android and iPhone:
1. Open Telegram
2. Tap Settings
3. Tap Notifications and Sounds
4. Tap In-App Language
5. Select your desired language
Signal
On Android:
1. Open Signal
2. Tap your profile picture
3. Tap Settings
4. Tap Notifications
5. Tap Advanced
6. Tap Language
7. Select your desired language
On iPhone:
1. Open Signal
2. Tap Settings
3. Scroll down and tap Notifications
4. Tap Notification Language
5. Select your desired language
Google Hangouts
On Android and iPhone:
1. Open the Hangouts app
2. Tap your profile picture
3. Tap Settings
4. Tap General
5. Tap Language
6. Select your desired language
Skype
On Android and iPhone:
1. Open Skype
2. Tap your profile picture
3. Tap Settings
4. Tap Notifications
5. Under Language, select your desired language
Preventing Unwanted Language Changes
To avoid having your messenger notifications randomly change languages in the future:
– Double check your phone’s system language, locale, and keyboard settings are as you want them. Don’t enable foreign language keyboards if you don’t need them.
– Be cautious with enabling location access. Disable location access for messenger apps if not needed.
– Carefully review contacts and only add those you actually want to communicate with. Avoid adding foreign contacts if possible.
– Keep your apps updated to the latest versions. Updates often fix bugs that can cause language issues.
– Adjust each app’s individual language settings under notifications or in-app language preferences. This overrides system-wide language settings.
– Provide feedback to the app developer if language issues persist after an update. They may be able to quickly resolve ongoing bugs.
With a few simple checks and tweaks, you should be able to prevent your messenger notifications from inadvertently switching languages again. Careful app settings management can help ensure you continue receiving notifications in your preferred language with minimal disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Facebook Messenger switch to another language?
The most common reasons Facebook Messenger may switch languages are changes to your phone’s system language or locale, adding foreign contacts, enabling multiple language keyboards, or bugs. Check your device settings and the Messenger notification language options to switch it back.
How do I change my WhatsApp notification language?
On Android, open WhatsApp > Settings > Notifications > Notification language. On iPhone, open WhatsApp > Settings > Notifications > Notification Language. Select your preferred language.
Why did my Telegram app change languages?
Telegram may change languages if your phone’s locale or default language was changed. It also detects your location and will auto-match languages sometimes. Adjust your device language settings or manually change the Telegram in-app language.
Why are my Google Hangouts notifications in the wrong language?
Hangouts can switch languages if you added contacts who use other languages or enabled foreign keyboards. It may also be a glitch. Go to Hangouts Settings > General > Language to change it back.
How do I stop Skype from changing languages automatically?
Prevent Skype language changes by disabling location access, limiting keyboards to your language, updating contacts cautiously, and setting your preferred language in Skype > Settings > Notifications > Language.
Conclusion
Notification languages suddenly switching on messenger apps can certainly be annoying and disruptive. But in most cases, it’s an easy fix. Take a few minutes to review your device settings, app permissions, contacts list, and keyboard languages. Make any needed adjustments to return notifications to your native tongue. And don’t hesitate to provide feedback to the app developers about persistent language issues requiring attention. With a few simple tweaks, you’ll be back to seamless messaging in no time.