How to change keyboard language on Mac: Quick hacks found

Are you bilingual, learning a new language on Duolingo, or need to switch keyboard languages for your job? I fit into all three of these categories, so I can relate to the trouble of using on-screen keyboards and copying and pasting characters that aren’t in English. 

The beauty of Macs is that you can easily adjust your settings to change your keyboard language, add an extra language to your keyboard, and switch between them.

Have I caught your attention?

Let’s go ahead with a step-by-step on how to switch keyboard languages on Mac.

Three ways to change language shortcut settings

If you’re switching between two languages for work or learning a new one, having the right shortcuts can really make things easier. Here’s a quick rundown of the best ways to switch between languages smoothly:

How to change keyboard language on Mac using shortcuts

Shortcuts are a godsend when you need to reduce the effort needed to do things that typically require a multi-step process. For example, instead of running a series of actions every single time you want to format something, you can simply use a couple of shortcuts to implement all the right formatting instantly. Of course, you can also use a shortcut to change your keyboard language. 

The Mac already has a built-in shortcut to switch between keyboard languages: Control + Space. Start typing, and you’ll notice you switched to your other keyboard language.

If you want to customize this shortcut to suit your preferences:

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Scroll down and click Keyboard.
3. Click Keyboard Shortcuts.



4. Click Input Sources.

5. Double-click the key combination (Control^ + Space) and type your own shortcut.

How to add another language to keyboard Mac

Before using any shortcuts, you’ll need to ensure you have multiple input sources (keyboard languages). 

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Scroll down and click Keyboard.
3. Click Edit in the Text Input section.



4. Click the plus “+” icon in the bottom left-hand corner.

5. Select the language and input source you want to add > Add.

Now, using the Control + Space shortcut, you can switch between keyboard languages seamlessly.

If you’re a frequent writer, it can be nice to have a dedicated writing platform that keeps your drafts organized — other than typical word processing tools like Microsoft Word and Google Docs. Ulysses offers a twist on classic word processing, providing a clean, user-friendly space that uses markdown to format text. With markdown, you can make your files extra portable and easy to convert, especially if you need to move them to different formats later. 

What’s especially great about Ulysses is that it emphasizes keyboard shortcuts for practically everything, from basic operations to making lists and navigating documents.

Solved: How to switch between keyboard languages on Mac

Efficiency is key when it comes to doing things digitally. So, when you’re able to seamlessly toggle between languages and keyboards, you can improve your typing efficiency and make leisure- and work-related tasks go much smoother. With Ulysses as a quiet space to write and BetterTouchTool to handle customized keyboard shortcuts, you can discover a whole new level of productivity. 

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FAQ

How to change shortcut for changing language in Mac?

To change a shortcut, go to System Settings and click Keyboard in the side menu. Click Keyboard Shortcuts > Input Sources, and double-click the key combination to input your own.

What is the shortcut for switching keyboard in Mac?

To switch keyboard languages on Mac, press Control + Space or Fn key (depending on settings). Make sure you have other input sources in your keyboard settings first.