Can't change language in Android device

Question

I am trying to change my device's language in my app. I have this code:

Locale locale = new Locale("en_US"); 
Locale.setDefault(locale);
Configuration config = new Configuration();
config.locale = locale;
getApplicationContext().getResources().updateConfiguration(config, null);
Log.i("some","Well, I tried!");

But this code does not change state of my device, and in LogCat I can see "Well, I tried" message. What are the possible reasons of such strange behaviour?

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 23 '13 at 11:27

1

Edit this line

getApplicationContext().getResources().updateConfiguration(config, null);

like this:

context.getApplicationContext().getResources().updateConfiguration(config, null);

answered Dec 23 '13 at 11:27

Avijit

3,834
4
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Thank you, I tried this, but my device language still doesn't change. Instead my application's locale changes. – Mykhailo Granik Dec 23 '13 at 11:45
Sorry, I don't understand the question. I need to change my device's language from my application. – Mykhailo Granik Dec 23 '13 at 12:12
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2596352/change-language-settings-locale-for-the-device -check this – Avijit Dec 23 '13 at 12:21
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2900023/change-language-programatically-in-android this also – Avijit Dec 23 '13 at 12:21
Thank you, I'll definitely do this. – Mykhailo Granik Dec 23 '13 at 12:37
I tried every approach, described in that questions, but they still only change my apllication's locale – Mykhailo Granik Dec 23 '13 at 13:18
what about the second question? – Avijit Dec 23 '13 at 13:21

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 21 '21 at 07:06

If you came here for language problems for builds after Summer 2021, it may have nothing to do with your code. We had the same issue and the problem was the new bundle (.aab) requirement (required since Summer 2021).

With app bundles, devices download only the code and resources they require to run your app. So, for language resources, a user’s device downloads only your app’s language resources that match the one or more languages currently selected in the device’s settings. Read further

Basically, the language file is not downloaded if the device does not support that language. There are 2 ways to solve it:

Option 1 (Easiest): Just disable the bundle optimization

Add this in your build.gradle file:

android {
    bundle {
        language {
            enableSplit = false
        }
    }
// ...
// Other configuration
}

Option 2: Download the language file on demand

Use the method described here.

How to debug

Before applying these methods,

Delete the app
Add the new language in the device settings
Download the app again

If the app supports the new language then the problem is definitely the bundle optimization and the above mentioned solutions will work.

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 23 '13 at 11:34

0

To change the applications locale manually.

You will need to set the locale using the code below.

Locale locale = new Locale("AR"); // AR here is for arabic
Locale.setDefault(locale);
Configuration config = new Configuration();
config.locale = locale;
getBaseContext().getResources().updateConfiguration(config, 
getBaseContext().getResources().getDisplayMetrics());

Make sure it is set in the activity "onCreate" method before calling the "setContentView" method.

Also see that the resource files are specified for the language required.

answered Dec 23 '13 at 11:34

agomes

331
2
8

Do I need to do this for every activity I have? – Mykhailo Granik Dec 23 '13 at 11:43
This will only change your activity's locale. It wont change the device locale. – agomes Dec 26 '13 at 14:28

Can't change language in Android device

3 Answers3

Option 1 (Easiest): Just disable the bundle optimization

Option 2: Download the language file on demand

How to debug

Linked