# Change the app language in the Android version also from within the app **URL:** \ **Category:** Feature Proposal\ **Tags:** android, user-interface\ **Created:** [April 29, 2026, 9:45am UTC](https://forum.delta.chat/t/change-the-app-language-in-the-android-version-also-from-within-the-app/5126 "2026-04-29T09:45:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Erfan](https://forum.delta.chat/user_avatar/forum.delta.chat/erfan/32/3386_2.png) [@Erfan](https://forum.delta.chat/u/Erfan)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 9:45am UTC](https://forum.delta.chat/t/change-the-app-language-in-the-android-version-also-from-within-the-app/5126/1 "2026-04-29T09:45:09Z")
**Expected behavior** The Android app should provide an option to manually change the application language. If this feature already exists, it should be clearly accessible within the settings. I would like to translate the entire interface into Persian (Farsi), and having a language selector would make this possible. Given the current situation in Iran, many users rely on DeltaChat and many have set up their own servers. A Persian localization would be very helpful for these users. **Actual behavior** In the latest Android version (2.49), I could not find any option to change the app language. There is currently no visible setting that allows selecting a different language inside the app. **Example Images** No images available, since this is a feature request rather than a visual issue 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ian](https://forum.delta.chat/user_avatar/forum.delta.chat/ian/32/3164_2.png) [@ian](https://forum.delta.chat/u/ian)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 10:16am UTC](https://forum.delta.chat/t/change-the-app-language-in-the-android-version-also-from-within-the-app/5126/2 "2026-04-29T10:16:29Z")
You can switch the language of the whole system on most Android handsets in an easily accessible setting without rebooting. You have the option to borrow such a device during the translation process. However, I would think that most translators would prefer holding two devices (with a multi-device profile) side by side, each set to a different language and compare screens this way. This is also possible via an Android emulator. It is very rare to see apps that each would include a manual override in some obscure random menu. It can be easily done on Delta Chat desktop, though. ---
**Author:** ![Erfan](https://forum.delta.chat/user_avatar/forum.delta.chat/erfan/32/3386_2.png) [@Erfan](https://forum.delta.chat/u/Erfan)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 10:27am UTC](https://forum.delta.chat/t/change-the-app-language-in-the-android-version-also-from-within-the-app/5126/3 "2026-04-29T10:27:09Z")
Thanks for the clarification You are right that Android traditionally relies on the system language, and many apps follow this model. From a technical perspective, that approach is well established and works in most cases. That said, there are still some practical reasons why an in‑app language selector can be valuable. Not all users want to change the system language just to use or test a single application, especially in multilingual environments. This is particularly relevant for regions like Iran, where DeltaChat is widely used and users may share devices or prefer a different system language. Additionally, starting with Android 13, the platform explicitly supports per‑app language preferences, which suggests a shift toward more granular language control at the app level. Supporting this would align DeltaChat with modern Android UX patterns. From a translation and testing standpoint, an in app language option also reduces friction by removing the need for multiple devices or repeated system level changes. Overall, while the system language approach is reasonable, offering an optional in app language setting could improve usability and accessibility without conflicting with Android conventions. ---
**Author:** ![ian](https://forum.delta.chat/user_avatar/forum.delta.chat/ian/32/3164_2.png) [@ian](https://forum.delta.chat/u/ian)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 11:14am UTC](https://forum.delta.chat/t/change-the-app-language-in-the-android-version-also-from-within-the-app/5126/4 "2026-04-29T11:14:04Z")
I don’t see how this could improve upon repetition as you shall copy, reinstall and restart the app after each iteration of compilation. This in turn can also be automated more easily in an emulator - a device that is also incidentally free. ---
**Author:** ![r10s](https://forum.delta.chat/user_avatar/forum.delta.chat/r10s/32/1513_2.png) [@r10s](https://forum.delta.chat/u/r10s)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://forum.delta.chat/t/change-the-app-language-in-the-android-version-also-from-within-the-app/5126/5 "2026-04-29T15:12:21Z")
> [@Erfan](#): > > starting with Android 13, the platform explicitly supports per‑app language preferences, which suggests a shift toward more granular language control at the app level. Supporting this would align DeltaChat with modern Android UX patterns. Delta Chat supports systems that support per-app-language selection since some time, covering most usecases, surely not all, but that is accepted. we removed additional in-app language selection on purpose, as that causes too much friction, too many bugs, too many discussions, for too few impact, all eating resources that are needed elsewhere. it is very unlikely we will re-add that anytime soon. esp. in the light of more and more android supporting per-app-language out of the box. > > > this PR let's the app always just use the system language, removing the in-app …language selection. > > if the user wants to have Delta Chat in a different language, they can change the system language. since android13, it is even possible to do that per app. however, as "on the wire" things are neutral now and important strings are rendered in the receivers language, there is not much need to use sth. else than the system language. > > sure, there may be cornercases, however, they're outweighed by the advantages: > > \- fewer, less complex code > \- no more bugs in language selection code - passing around locale objects was error-prone - and, during creation of this PR, it turns out, also sometimes forgotten > \- we had bugs when creating the xml file, that is also no longer possible now > \- things as https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-android/issues/3213 are easier to target, as there is one state less