How to Change your Language & Region in macOS

Navigating the complex landscape of country and language settings on your Apple devices can be a challenging task. This comprehensive guide is here to lead you step-by-step through the process. Inside this article, you’ll discover detailed instructions on preparing your Apple ID for a region change, changing your region on different devices, and altering the country code in macOS system settings. Additionally, we’ll delve into specific instructions for changing language and region settings on your macOS and provide some valuable troubleshooting advice for common issues that you might encounter along the way. This article will serve as a practical toolkit for managing your Apple device settings, ensuring your Apple ecosystem runs as seamlessly as possible.

Essential Preparations

Before you start the process of adjusting the location of your Apple ID, there are some essential steps you need to take:

Use any remaining Apple ID store credit.

• Cancel and await the end of any subscriptions.
• Wait for completion of any memberships, pre-orders, film rentals, or Season Passes, and pending store credit refunds.
• Obtain a valid payment method for the new country or region.
• Re-download your apps, music, films, TV shows, and books to ensure availability in your new country or region.

Changing Region on Different Devices

The steps to modify your region on various devices include:

iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the Settings app and tap your name.
2. Select Media & Purchases, then tap View Account.
3. Tap Country/Region, then Change Country or Region.
4. Choose your new country or region, review the terms and conditions, and tap Agree twice.
5. Enter your new payment information and billing address, then tap Next.

Computer:

1. Open Music or iTunes.
2. Click Account from the menu bar, then View My Account or Account Settings.
3. Sign in with your Apple ID and click Change Country or Region on the Account Information page.
4. Select your new country or region, agree to the terms, then enter your new payment information and billing address. Click Continue.

Online:

1. Sign in at appleid.apple.com and select Personal Information.
2. Click Country/Region and follow the instructions.

If you’re having trouble changing your country or region, first ensure that all subscriptions are canceled and any store credit has been used. If part of a Family Sharing group, you may need to leave the group. For further assistance, contact Apple Support.

To change the country code in your macOS system settings:

1. Navigate to /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist.
2. Change the value for the ‘Country’ string to the desired country code.

To remove unnecessary language assets:

1. Navigate to ~/Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist.
2. Open the file with Xcode, find the ‘NSLinguisticDataAssetsRequest’ key, and delete the relevant section.
3. Reboot the system.

If you’re experiencing recurring Wi-Fi issues due to conflicting country codes between your MacBook and router, double-check that your MacBook’s “Date & Time” settings and “Region” correspond with your actual location.

How to Change the Language on Your macOS Device

1. Access System Preferences: First, click on the Apple menu located at the top left corner of your screen. From the drop-down menu that appears, select “System Preferences.”
2. Navigate to Language & Region Settings: Once in the System Preferences window, look for the icon labeled “Language & Region” and click on it. This will open up a new window where you can adjust your language and region settings.
3. Add and Select a New Language: Within the Language & Region window, you will see a list of preferred languages on the left. To add a new language, click on the ‘+’ symbol located below the list. This will open up a new window with a selection of languages. Scroll through and click on the language you want to add, then select “Add.” After adding, you have to select this language as your primary language. To do this, just drag the new language to the top of the list.
4. Confirm Changes and Restart the System: Once you’ve chosen your new language, a pop-up will appear asking if you want to use this as your primary language. Click “Use [Language].” To allow these changes to take effect, you’ll need to restart your system. A prompt will appear, asking whether you want to restart now or later. Click “Restart” to apply changes immediately.

Remember, changing the system language will affect all system menus and applications that support the new language. However, documents and other data won’t be affected. If you wish to change the language back or choose a new one, simply repeat the process.

How to Change the Region on Your macOS Device

1. Access System Preferences: Start by clicking on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen. From the dropdown menu, choose “System Preferences.”
2. Navigate to Language & Region Settings: Within the System Preferences window, find and click on the “Language & Region” icon. This action will open up a new window where you can modify your language and region settings.
3. Change the Region: Inside the Language & Region window, there’s a section labeled “Region.” Click on the current region displayed in this box to bring up a dropdown menu of countries. Scroll through this list until you find the country that corresponds to the region you want to set, then click on it to select it.
4. Confirm Changes: Once you’ve selected your new region, macOS will automatically update to reflect this change. There’s no need for a system restart in this case.

Keep in mind that changing your region can affect various aspects of your macOS system. It will adjust date, time, currency formats, and the ‘first day of the week’ settings to align with the customs of your chosen region. If you wish to revert to your original region or select a new one, you can do so by repeating these steps.

Troubleshooting the Common Issues

When changing the language and region settings on your macOS device, there are a few common problems you might encounter, and here are the ways to address them:

1. Some users report inconsistent or unstable Wi-Fi connections: If your macOS device is detecting incorrect location or routers coded for a different region, the problem is likely rooted in your router configuration. Solutions include trying to connect to a different router, creating a new location in the Networks preference pane and setting up a new Wi-Fi connection, or changing your Wi-Fi channel through the web access app on your router.
2. Issues with the DVD Drive’s Region Settings: Keep in mind that the region of your computer’s DVD drive can be changed only five times, including the initial setting. This is particularly important if you frequently use commercial DVDs. While this doesn’t directly pertain to the computer’s region, it may impact how you use your device. If you find this limit restrictive, consider a region-free drive.
3. Incorrect Country Code Detected by macOS Device: Incorrect country codes detected by your macOS can disrupt your internet connection. Some solutions include using an old router with the correct country code, positioning it near your main router, or moving your device to a location where the signal of the conflicting network is weaker. Upon restart, the device might correct the country code by itself. Alternatively, you can use certain applications that allow you to manually change the country code, but be aware this could potentially compromise your macOS’s security.
4. Network Performance Issues: If your Mac’s network performance is unreliable despite having a WLAN router in the same room, the issue may be due to conflicting country codes between your device and the router. This problem can potentially cause unexplained connectivity problems for other mobile devices as well. Contacting your router’s manufacturer for support or guidance can often help resolve such issues.
5. Problems with Wi-Fi Channels: If your device is set to connect to 2.4 GHz and experiencing the country code problem, changing the router setting to 5 GHz and setting the channel to “Auto” could solve the issue.

Keep in mind that these solutions may not solve the problem for everyone. Disabling system protections or using third-party applications also carries potential risks.Always exercise caution when making changes to your system settings. If you continue to experience issues after troubleshooting, consider reaching out to Apple support for more assistance.

Conclusion

Throughout this guide, we’ve explored the various steps and procedures involved in adjusting the region, language, and country settings on your Apple devices. We’ve learned the necessary preparations before changing your Apple ID region, outlined how to change the region on different devices, and clarified the steps to change the language and region on your macOS. We’ve also tackled common issues you might face during this process and provided suggestions for overcoming them. Should you find yourself in need of further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to Apple Support for additional help. As you move forward, remember that this guide is always here as a ready resource, ensuring your Apple device settings remain accurate and up-to-date.