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How to Change the Language in Microsoft Teams

Teams Nov 15, 2025

If you work with global teammates, switching languages in Microsoft Teams can make daily collaboration easier. This guide covers how to change your Teams display language, date and time formats, message translation, spellcheck, and captions on desktop, web, and mobile. Clear steps, screenshots in the linked sources, and an FAQ are included.

Change the Teams app language (desktop and web)

  1. Open Teams, then select Settings and more > Settings.
  2. Go to General.
  3. Under Language and regional formats, turn Follow OS settings off to set a language manually, or leave it on to mirror your device settings.
  4. Choose App language, Date format, and Time format, then restart Teams if prompted.

Change language on mobile

  • iOS: Teams typically follows your iPhone or iPad system language. Change it in Settings > General > Language & Region, then reopen Teams.
  • Android: Many builds include an in-app language option under Teams > Settings > Language. If you do not see it, Teams will follow your device language in Settings > System > Languages & input.

Translate chat and channel messages

Teams can translate individual messages so you can read them in your preferred language.

  • Hover a message, choose More options (three dots), then Translate.
    • To adjust translation preferences or turn off automatic translation, select Translation options on any translated message, then go to Settings > Translation.

For more information for how to translate a message in Teams, see this support article.

Change spellcheck languages in Teams

If you write in multiple languages, add them to Teams spellcheck:

  1. Click the Three Dots > Settings.
  2. In General, open Editor Spellcheck and select Manage to add languages. Teams will suggest corrections based on the languages you choose.
For additional details from Microsoft on spellcheck languages, see this support article.

Set live captions and live translated captions in meetings

  • While in a meeting, turn on Show live captions.
  • Select Caption settings > Language settings.
  • Pick the Meeting spoken language.
  • To see captions translated into another language, you will need to have a Teams Premium or Copilot 365. If you have the additional license, you can toggle Translate to and choose the language you want.
For additional details from Microsoft on caption translation, see this support article

Why your date, time, and region may look “wrong”

By default, Teams uses the regional format tied to your device language and region. If your week starts on Monday in Teams but not on your PC, or dates appear as DD/MM/YYYY instead of MM/DD/YYYY, check General > Language and regional formats. Turn Follow OS settings off to set formats directly in Teams, or update Windows or macOS regional settings to align. Restart Teams to apply changes.

Troubleshooting checklist

  • Language did not change after you selected it: Restart Teams. Some language and region changes apply only after a restart.
  • Option is missing: Make sure you are in the General page of Teams Settings, not the profile menu. If your organization uses device management or policy, some options can be standardized by IT.
  • Spellcheck uses the wrong language: Open Editor Spellcheck > Manage and remove languages you do not want, then add the correct ones.
  • Captions are in the wrong language: In a meeting, open Caption settings > Language settings, confirm Meeting spoken language, then use Translate to if needed.

1) Keep your OS in one language, Teams in another

  • Open Settings in Teams, go to General.
  • Turn Follow OS settings off, pick a different App language, then restart.

2) Work in two writing languages with correct spellcheck

  • Add both languages in Editor Spellcheck > Manage.
  • Teams will detect errors based on the languages you select.

3) Follow multilingual chats without switching your UI

  • Use Translate on individual messages.
  • Adjust Translation preferences to auto-translate or to ask before translating.

4) Run bilingual meetings

  • Turn on Live captions.
  • Set Meeting spoken language.
  • Turn on Translate to and select the caption language each participant prefers.

FAQ

Does changing Teams language affect other Microsoft 365 apps?
No, the Teams display language is app specific when Follow OS settings is off. Other apps follow their own settings or the OS.

Where do I change the region, date, and time format for Teams?
In Settings > General > Language and regional formats. Turn Follow OS settings off to set formats directly, or adjust your OS region. Restart Teams to apply.

How do I translate messages automatically?
Open a translated message, choose Translation options, then Settings > Translation to enable automatic translation or choose your preferred language.

Can I set captions to a different language than the one being spoken?
Yes. With live captions on, select Caption settings > Language settings, verify the spoken language, then toggle Translate to and pick your caption language.

How do I add more spellcheck languages?
Open Settings > General > Editor Spellcheck and choose Manage to add languages.

Is there a language option on iPhone and Android?
Teams on iOS follows the device language in Settings > General > Language & Region. Many Android builds also include Settings > Language in the Teams app, and otherwise follow the device language under System > Languages & input.

Final thoughts

Microsoft continues to expand language features across Teams, including message translation and caption translation in meetings. For most users, the fastest path is to keep Follow OS settings on so Teams mirrors your device. If you work in multiple languages, set a dedicated Teams App language, add spellcheck languages, and enable message translation and live translated captions when needed.

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