Change app language programmatically in Android

Question

Is it possible to change the language of an app programmatically while still using Android resources?

If not, is it possible to request a resource in an specific language?

I would like to let the user change the language of the app from the app.

Answer 1

It's possible. You can set the locale. However, I would not recommend that. We've tried it at early stages, it's basically fighting the system.

We have the same requirement for changing the language but decided to settle to the fact that UI should be same as phone UI. It was working via setting locale but was too buggy. And you have to set it every time you enter activity (each activity) from my experience. here is a code if you still need this (again, I don't recommend that)

Resources res = context.getResources();
// Change locale settings in the app.
DisplayMetrics dm = res.getDisplayMetrics();
android.content.res.Configuration conf = res.getConfiguration();
conf.setLocale(new Locale(language_code.toLowerCase())); // API 17+ only.
// Use conf.locale = new Locale(...) if targeting lower versions
res.updateConfiguration(conf, dm);

If you have language specific content - you can change that base on the setting.

---

update on 26th of march 2020

    public static void setLocale(Activity activity, String languageCode) {
        Locale locale = new Locale(languageCode);
        Locale.setDefault(locale);
        Resources resources = activity.getResources();
        Configuration config = resources.getConfiguration();
        config.setLocale(locale);
        resources.updateConfiguration(config, resources.getDisplayMetrics());
    }

Answer 2

This code really works:

fa = Persian, en = English

Enter your language code in languageToLoad variable:

import android.app.Activity;
import android.content.res.Configuration;
import android.os.Bundle;

public class Main extends Activity {
  /** Called when the activity is first created. */
  @Override
  public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

    String languageToLoad  = "fa"; // your language
    Locale locale = new Locale(languageToLoad); 
    Locale.setDefault(locale);
    Configuration config = new Configuration();
    config.locale = locale;
    getBaseContext().getResources().updateConfiguration(config, 
      getBaseContext().getResources().getDisplayMetrics());
    this.setContentView(R.layout.main);
  }
}

---

UPDATE on Jun 2021(Kotlin):

class Main : Activity() {
    // Called when the activity is first created.
    public override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        
        val config = resources.configuration
        val lang = "fa" // your language code
        val locale = Locale(lang)
        Locale.setDefault(locale)
        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.JELLY_BEAN_MR1)
            config.setLocale(locale)
        else
            config.locale = locale

        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N)
            createConfigurationContext(config)
        resources.updateConfiguration(config, resources.displayMetrics)

        this.setContentView(R.layout.main)
    }
}

Answer 3

I was looking for a way to change the system language programmatically. While I fully understand that a normal application should never do that and instead either:

• the user should be pointed(through an intent) to the system settings to change it manually
• the application should handle its localization on its own just like described in the answer of Alex

there was a need to really change the language of the system programmtically.

This is undocumented API and thus should not be used for market/end-user applications!

Anyway heres the solution i found:

  Locale locale = new Locale(targetLocaleAsString);

  Class amnClass = Class.forName("android.app.ActivityManagerNative");
  Object amn = null;
  Configuration config = null;

  // amn = ActivityManagerNative.getDefault();
  Method methodGetDefault = amnClass.getMethod("getDefault");
  methodGetDefault.setAccessible(true);
  amn = methodGetDefault.invoke(amnClass);

  // config = amn.getConfiguration();
  Method methodGetConfiguration = amnClass.getMethod("getConfiguration");
  methodGetConfiguration.setAccessible(true);
  config = (Configuration) methodGetConfiguration.invoke(amn);

  // config.userSetLocale = true;
  Class configClass = config.getClass();
  Field f = configClass.getField("userSetLocale");
  f.setBoolean(config, true);

  // set the locale to the new value
  config.locale = locale;

  // amn.updateConfiguration(config);
  Method methodUpdateConfiguration = amnClass.getMethod("updateConfiguration", Configuration.class);
  methodUpdateConfiguration.setAccessible(true);
  methodUpdateConfiguration.invoke(amn, config);

Answer 4

If you want to mantain the language changed over all your app you have to do two things.

First, create a base Activity and make all your activities extend from this:

public class BaseActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    private Locale mCurrentLocale;

    @Override
    protected void onStart() {
        super.onStart();

        mCurrentLocale = getResources().getConfiguration().locale;
    }

    @Override
    protected void onRestart() {
        super.onRestart();
        Locale locale = getLocale(this);

        if (!locale.equals(mCurrentLocale)) {

            mCurrentLocale = locale;
            recreate();
        }
    }

    public static Locale getLocale(Context context){
        SharedPreferences sharedPreferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context);

        String lang = sharedPreferences.getString("language", "en");
        switch (lang) {
            case "English":
                lang = "en";
                break;
            case "Spanish":
                lang = "es";
                break;
        }
        return new Locale(lang);
    }
}

Note that I save the new language in a sharedPreference.

Second, create an extension of Application like this:

    public class App extends Application {

    @Override
    public void onCreate() {
        super.onCreate();
        setLocale();
    }

    @Override
    public void onConfigurationChanged(Configuration newConfig) {
        super.onConfigurationChanged(newConfig);
        setLocale();
    }

    private void setLocale() {

        final Resources resources = getResources();
        final Configuration configuration = resources.getConfiguration();
        final Locale locale = getLocale(this);
        if (!configuration.locale.equals(locale)) {
            configuration.setLocale(locale);
            resources.updateConfiguration(configuration, null);
        }
    }
}

Note that getLocale() it's the same as above.

That's all! I hope this can help somebody.

Answer 5

According to this article. You will need to download LocaleHelper.java referenced in that article.

1. Create MyApplication class that will extends Application
2. Override attachBaseContext() to update language.

3. Register this class in manifest.

   public class MyApplication extends Application {
      @Override
      protected void attachBaseContext(Context base) {
       super.attachBaseContext(LocaleHelper.onAttach(base, "en"));
      }
   }
   
   <application
        android:name="com.package.MyApplication"
        .../>
   

4. Create BaseActivity and override onAttach() to update language. Needed for Android 6+

   public class BaseActivity extends Activity {
     @Override
     protected void attachBaseContext(Context base) {
       super.attachBaseContext(LocaleHelper.onAttach(base));
     }
   }
   

5. Make all activities on your app extends from BaseActivity.

   public class LocaleHelper {
   
   private static final String SELECTED_LANGUAGE = "Locale.Helper.Selected.Language";
   
   public static Context onAttach(Context context) {
       String lang = getPersistedData(context, Locale.getDefault().getLanguage());
       return setLocale(context, lang);
   }
   
   public static Context onAttach(Context context, String defaultLanguage) {
       String lang = getPersistedData(context, defaultLanguage);
       return setLocale(context, lang);
   }
   
   public static String getLanguage(Context context) {
       return getPersistedData(context, Locale.getDefault().getLanguage());
   }
   
   public static Context setLocale(Context context, String language) {
       persist(context, language);
   
       if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
           return updateResources(context, language);
       }
   
       return updateResourcesLegacy(context, language);
   }
   
   private static String getPersistedData(Context context, String defaultLanguage) {
       SharedPreferences preferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context);
       return preferences.getString(SELECTED_LANGUAGE, defaultLanguage);
   }
   
   private static void persist(Context context, String language) {
       SharedPreferences preferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context);
       SharedPreferences.Editor editor = preferences.edit();
   
       editor.putString(SELECTED_LANGUAGE, language);
       editor.apply();
   }
   
   @TargetApi(Build.VERSION_CODES.N)
   private static Context updateResources(Context context, String language) {
       Locale locale = new Locale(language);
       Locale.setDefault(locale);
   
       Configuration configuration = context.getResources().getConfiguration();
       configuration.setLocale(locale);
       configuration.setLayoutDirection(locale);
   
       return context.createConfigurationContext(configuration);
   }
   
   @SuppressWarnings("deprecation")
   private static Context updateResourcesLegacy(Context context, String language) {
       Locale locale = new Locale(language);
       Locale.setDefault(locale);
   
       Resources resources = context.getResources();
   
       Configuration configuration = resources.getConfiguration();
       configuration.locale = locale;
       if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.JELLY_BEAN_MR1) {
           configuration.setLayoutDirection(locale);
       }
   
       resources.updateConfiguration(configuration, resources.getDisplayMetrics());
   
       return context;
   }
   }
   

Answer 6

Just adding an extra piece that tripped me up.

While the other answers work fine with "de" for example

String lang = "de";
Locale locale = new Locale(lang); 
Locale.setDefault(locale);
Configuration config = new Configuration();
config.locale = locale;
getBaseContext().getResources().updateConfiguration(config, 
    getBaseContext().getResources().getDisplayMetrics());

The above wont work with for example "fr_BE" locale so it would use the values-fr-rBE folder or similar.

Needs the following slight change to work with "fr_BE"

String lang = "fr";

//create a string for country
String country = "BE";
//use constructor with country
Locale locale = new Locale(lang, country);

Locale.setDefault(locale);
Configuration config = new Configuration();
config.locale = locale;
getBaseContext().getResources().updateConfiguration(config, 
    getBaseContext().getResources().getDisplayMetrics());

Answer 7

I am changed for German language for my app start itself.

Here is my correct code. Anyone want use this same for me.. (How to change language in android programmatically)

my code:

Configuration config ; // variable declaration in globally

// this part is given inside onCreate Method starting and before setContentView()

public void onCreate(Bundle icic) 
{
    super.onCreate(icic);
    config = new Configuration(getResources().getConfiguration());
    config.locale = Locale.GERMAN ;
    getResources().updateConfiguration(config,getResources().getDisplayMetrics());

    setContentView(R.layout.newdesign);
}

Answer 8

Create a class Extends Application and create a static method. Then you can call this method in all activities before setContentView().

public class MyApp extends Application {

@Override
public void onCreate() {
    super.onCreate();
}

public static void setLocaleFa (Context context){
    Locale locale = new Locale("fa"); 
    Locale.setDefault(locale);
    Configuration config = new Configuration();
    config.locale = locale;
    context.getApplicationContext().getResources().updateConfiguration(config, null);
}

public static void setLocaleEn (Context context){
    Locale locale = new Locale("en_US"); 
    Locale.setDefault(locale);
    Configuration config = new Configuration();
    config.locale = locale;
    context.getApplicationContext().getResources().updateConfiguration(config, null);
}

}

Usage in activities:

@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    MyApp.setLocaleFa(MainActivity.this);
    requestWindowFeature(Window.FEATURE_NO_TITLE);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
}

Answer 9

I know it's late to answer but i found this article here . Which explains the whole process very well and provides you a well structured code.

Locale Helper class:

import android.annotation.TargetApi;
import android.content.Context;
import android.content.SharedPreferences;
import android.content.res.Configuration;
import android.content.res.Resources;
import android.os.Build;
import android.preference.PreferenceManager;

import java.util.Locale;

/**
 * This class is used to change your application locale and persist this change for the next time
 * that your app is going to be used.
 * <p/>
 * You can also change the locale of your application on the fly by using the setLocale method.
 * <p/>
 * Created by gunhansancar on 07/10/15.
 */
public class LocaleHelper {

    private static final String SELECTED_LANGUAGE = "Locale.Helper.Selected.Language";

    public static Context onAttach(Context context) {
        String lang = getPersistedData(context, Locale.getDefault().getLanguage());
        return setLocale(context, lang);
    }

    public static Context onAttach(Context context, String defaultLanguage) {
        String lang = getPersistedData(context, defaultLanguage);
        return setLocale(context, lang);
    }

    public static String getLanguage(Context context) {
        return getPersistedData(context, Locale.getDefault().getLanguage());
    }

    public static Context setLocale(Context context, String language) {
        persist(context, language);

        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
            return updateResources(context, language);
        }

        return updateResourcesLegacy(context, language);
    }

    private static String getPersistedData(Context context, String defaultLanguage) {
        SharedPreferences preferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context);
        return preferences.getString(SELECTED_LANGUAGE, defaultLanguage);
    }

    private static void persist(Context context, String language) {
        SharedPreferences preferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context);
        SharedPreferences.Editor editor = preferences.edit();

        editor.putString(SELECTED_LANGUAGE, language);
        editor.apply();
    }

    @TargetApi(Build.VERSION_CODES.N)
    private static Context updateResources(Context context, String language) {
        Locale locale = new Locale(language);
        Locale.setDefault(locale);

        Configuration configuration = context.getResources().getConfiguration();
        configuration.setLocale(locale);
        configuration.setLayoutDirection(locale);

        return context.createConfigurationContext(configuration);
    }

    @SuppressWarnings("deprecation")
    private static Context updateResourcesLegacy(Context context, String language) {
        Locale locale = new Locale(language);
        Locale.setDefault(locale);

        Resources resources = context.getResources();

        Configuration configuration = resources.getConfiguration();
        configuration.locale = locale;
        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.JELLY_BEAN_MR1) {
            configuration.setLayoutDirection(locale);
        }

        resources.updateConfiguration(configuration, resources.getDisplayMetrics());

        return context;
    }
}

You need to override attachBaseContext and call LocaleHelper.onAttach() to initialize the locale settings in your application.

import android.app.Application;
import android.content.Context;

import com.gunhansancar.changelanguageexample.helper.LocaleHelper;

public class MainApplication extends Application {
    @Override
    protected void attachBaseContext(Context base) {
        super.attachBaseContext(LocaleHelper.onAttach(base, "en"));
    }
}

All you have to do is to add

LocaleHelper.onCreate(this, "en");

wherever you want to change the locale.

Answer 10

For Android 7.0 Nougat (and lower) follow this article:

Change Language Programatically in Android

Old answer
This include RTL/LTR support:

public static void changeLocale(Context context, Locale locale) {
    Configuration conf = context.getResources().getConfiguration();
    conf.locale = locale;
    Locale.setDefault(locale);

    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.JELLY_BEAN_MR1) {
       conf.setLayoutDirection(conf.locale);
    }

    context.getResources().updateConfiguration(conf, context.getResources().getDisplayMetrics());
}

Answer 11

Time for a due update.

First off, the deprecated list with the API in which it was deprecated:

• configuration.locale (API 17)
• updateConfiguration(configuration, displaymetrics) (API 17)

The thing no question answered recently has gotten right is the usage of the new method.

createConfigurationContext is the new method for updateConfiguration.

Some have used it standalone like this:

Configuration overrideConfiguration = ctx.getResources().getConfiguration();
Locale locale = new Locale("en_US");
overrideConfiguration.setLocale(locale);
createConfigurationContext(overrideConfiguration);

... but that doesn't work. Why? The method returns a context, which then is used to handle Strings.xml translations and other localized resources (images, layouts, whatever).

The proper usage is like this:

Configuration overrideConfiguration = ctx.getResources().getConfiguration();
Locale locale = new Locale("en_US");
overrideConfiguration.setLocale(locale);
//the configuration can be used for other stuff as well
Context context  = createConfigurationContext(overrideConfiguration);
Resources resources = context.getResources();

If you just copy-pasted that into your IDE, you may see a warning that the API requires you targeting API 17 or above. This can be worked around by putting it in a method and adding the annotation @TargetApi(17)

But wait. What about the older API's?

You need to create another method using updateConfiguration without the TargetApi annotation.

Resources res = YourApplication.getInstance().getResources();
// Change locale settings in the app.
DisplayMetrics dm = res.getDisplayMetrics();
android.content.res.Configuration conf = res.getConfiguration();
conf.locale = new Locale("th");
res.updateConfiguration(conf, dm);

You don't need to return a context here.

Now, managing these can be difficult. In API 17+ you need the context created (or the resources from the context created) to get the appropriate resources based on localization. How do you handle this?

Well, this is the way I do it:

/**
 * Full locale list: https://stackguides.com/questions/7973023/what-is-the-list-of-supported-languages-locales-on-android
 * @param lang language code (e.g. en_US)
 * @return the context
 * PLEASE READ: This method can be changed for usage outside an Activity. Simply add a COntext to the arguments
 */
public Context setLanguage(String lang/*, Context c*/){
    Context c = AndroidLauncher.this;//remove if the context argument is passed. This is a utility line, can be removed totally by replacing calls to c with the activity (if argument Context isn't passed)
    int API = Build.VERSION.SDK_INT;
    if(API >= 17){
        return setLanguage17(lang, c);
    }else{
        return setLanguageLegacy(lang, c);
    }
}

/**
 * Set language for API 17
 * @param lang
 * @param c
 * @return
 */
@TargetApi(17)
public Context setLanguage17(String lang, Context c){
    Configuration overrideConfiguration = c.getResources().getConfiguration();
    Locale locale = new Locale(lang);
    Locale.setDefault(locale);
    overrideConfiguration.setLocale(locale);
    //the configuration can be used for other stuff as well
    Context context  = createConfigurationContext(overrideConfiguration);//"local variable is redundant" if the below line is uncommented, it is needed
    //Resources resources = context.getResources();//If you want to pass the resources instead of a Context, uncomment this line and put it somewhere useful
    return context;
}

public Context setLanguageLegacy(String lang, Context c){
    Resources res = c.getResources();
    // Change locale settings in the app.
    DisplayMetrics dm = res.getDisplayMetrics();//Utility line
    android.content.res.Configuration conf = res.getConfiguration();

    conf.locale = new Locale(lang);//setLocale requires API 17+ - just like createConfigurationContext
    Locale.setDefault(conf.locale);
    res.updateConfiguration(conf, dm);

    //Using this method you don't need to modify the Context itself. Setting it at the start of the app is enough. As you
    //target both API's though, you want to return the context as you have no clue what is called. Now you can use the Context
    //supplied for both things
    return c;
}

This code works by having one method that makes calls to the appropriate method based on what API. This is something I have done with a lot of different deprecated calls (including Html.fromHtml). You have one method that takes in the arguments needed, which then splits it into one of two (or three or more) methods and returns the appropriate result based on API level. It is flexible as you do't have to check multiple times, the "entry" method does it for you. The entry-method here is setLanguage

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE USING IT

You need to use the Context returned when you get resources. Why? I have seen other answers here who use createConfigurationContext and doesn't use the context it returns. To get it to work like that, updateConfiguration has to be called. Which is deprecated. Use the context returned by the method to get resources.

Example usage:

Constructor or somewhere similar:

ctx = getLanguage(lang);//lang is loaded or generated. How you get the String lang is not something this answer handles (nor will handle in the future)

And then, whereever you want to get resources you do:

String fromResources = ctx.getString(R.string.helloworld);

Using any other context will (in theory) break this.

AFAIK you still have to use an activity context to show dialogs or Toasts. for that you can use an instance of an activity (if you are outside)

---

And finally, use recreate() on the activity to refresh the content. Shortcut to not have to create an intent to refresh.

Answer 12

The only solution that fully works for me is a combination of Alex Volovoy's code with application restart mechanism:

void restartApplication() {
    Intent i = new Intent(MainTabActivity.context, MagicAppRestart.class);
    i.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP);
    i.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
    MainTabActivity.context.startActivity(i);
}


/** This activity shows nothing; instead, it restarts the android process */
public class MagicAppRestart extends Activity {
    @Override
    protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
        super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);
        finish();
    }

    protected void onResume() {
        super.onResume();
        startActivityForResult(new Intent(this, MainTabActivity.class), 0);         
    }
}

Answer 13

I was facing the same issue. On GitHub I found the Android-LocalizationActivity library.

This library makes it very simple to change the language of your app at runtime, as you can see in the code sample below. A sample project including the sample code below and more information can be found at the github page.

The LocalizationActivity extends AppCompatActivity, so you can also use it when you are using Fragments.

public class MainActivity extends LocalizationActivity implements View.OnClickListener {

    @Override
    public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_simple);

        findViewById(R.id.btn_th).setOnClickListener(this);
        findViewById(R.id.btn_en).setOnClickListener(this);
    }

    @Override
    public void onClick(View v) {
        int id = v.getId();
        if (id == R.id.btn_en) {
            setLanguage("en");
        } else if (id == R.id.btn_th) {
            setLanguage("th");
        }
    }
}

Answer 14

If you write

android:configChanges="locale"

In every activity (in the manifest file) then no need to set it every time you enter Activity.

Answer 15

For Arabic/RTL support

1. You must update your language settings through - attachBaseContext()
2. For android version N and above you must use createConfigurationContext() & updateConfiguration() - else RTL layout not working properly

 @Override
    protected void attachBaseContext(Context newBase) {
        super.attachBaseContext(updateBaseContextLocale(newBase));
    }

    public Context updateBaseContextLocale(Context context) {
        String language = SharedPreference.getInstance().getValue(context, "lan");//it return "en", "ar" like this
        if (language == null || language.isEmpty()) {
            //when first time enter into app (get the device language and set it
            language = Locale.getDefault().getLanguage();
            if (language.equals("ar")) {
                SharedPreference.getInstance().save(mContext, "lan", "ar");
            }
        }
        Locale locale = new Locale(language);
        Locale.setDefault(locale);

        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
            updateResourcesLocale(context, locale);
            return  updateResourcesLocaleLegacy(context, locale);
        }

        return updateResourcesLocaleLegacy(context, locale);
    }

    @TargetApi(Build.VERSION_CODES.N)
    private Context updateResourcesLocale(Context context, Locale locale) {
        Configuration configuration = context.getResources().getConfiguration();
        configuration.setLocale(locale);
        return context.createConfigurationContext(configuration);
    }

    @SuppressWarnings("deprecation")
    private Context updateResourcesLocaleLegacy(Context context, Locale locale) {
        Resources resources = context.getResources();
        Configuration configuration = resources.getConfiguration();
        configuration.locale = locale;
        resources.updateConfiguration(configuration, resources.getDisplayMetrics());
        return context;
    }

Answer 16

Locale locale = new Locale("en");
Locale.setDefault(locale);

Configuration config = context.getResources().getConfiguration();
config.setLocale(locale);
context.createConfigurationContext(config);

Important update:

context.getResources().updateConfiguration(config, context.getResources().getDisplayMetrics());

Note, that on SDK >= 21, you need to call 'Resources.updateConfiguration()', otherwise resources will not be updated.

Answer 17

/*change language at Run-time*/
//use method like that:
//setLocale("en");
 public void setLocale(String lang) { 
  myLocale = new Locale(lang);         
  Resources res = getResources();         
  DisplayMetrics dm = res.getDisplayMetrics();         
  Configuration conf = res.getConfiguration();         
  conf.locale = myLocale;         
  res.updateConfiguration(conf, dm);         
  Intent refresh = new Intent(this, AndroidLocalize.class);         
  startActivity(refresh); 
 }

Answer 18

Locale configuration should be set in each activity before setting the content - this.setContentView(R.layout.main);

Answer 19

At first create multi string.xml for different languages; then use this block of code in onCreate() method:

super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
String languageToLoad  = "fr"; // change your language here
Locale locale = new Locale(languageToLoad); 
Locale.setDefault(locale);
Configuration config = new Configuration();
config.locale = locale;
getBaseContext().getResources().updateConfiguration(config, 
  getBaseContext().getResources().getDisplayMetrics());
this.setContentView(R.layout.main);

Answer 20

Here is some code that works for me:

public class  MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
    public static String storeLang;

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {

        SharedPreferences shp = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(this);
        storeLang = shp.getString(getString(R.string.key_lang), "");

        // Create a new Locale object
        Locale locale = new Locale(storeLang);

        // Create a new configuration object
        Configuration config = new Configuration();
        // Set the locale of the new configuration
        config.locale = locale;
        // Update the configuration of the Accplication context
        getResources().updateConfiguration(
                config,
                getResources().getDisplayMetrics()
        );

        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
    }
}

Source: here

Answer 21

None of the solutions listed here helped me.

The language did not switch on android >= 7.0 if AppCompatDelegate.setDefaultNightMode(AppCompatDelegate.MODE_NIGHT_YES)

This LocaleUtils works just fine: https://gist.github.com/GigigoGreenLabs/7d555c762ba2d3a810fe

LocaleUtils

public class LocaleUtils {

public static final String LAN_SPANISH      = "es";
public static final String LAN_PORTUGUESE   = "pt";
public static final String LAN_ENGLISH      = "en";

private static Locale sLocale;

public static void setLocale(Locale locale) {
    sLocale = locale;
    if(sLocale != null) {
        Locale.setDefault(sLocale);
    }
}

public static void updateConfig(ContextThemeWrapper wrapper) {
    if(sLocale != null && Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.JELLY_BEAN_MR1) {
        Configuration configuration = new Configuration();
        configuration.setLocale(sLocale);
        wrapper.applyOverrideConfiguration(configuration);
    }
}

public static void updateConfig(Application app, Configuration configuration) {
    if(sLocale != null && Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < Build.VERSION_CODES.JELLY_BEAN_MR1) {
        //Wrapping the configuration to avoid Activity endless loop
        Configuration config = new Configuration(configuration);
        config.locale = sLocale;
        Resources res = app.getBaseContext().getResources();
        res.updateConfiguration(config, res.getDisplayMetrics());
    }
}
}

Added this code to Application

public class App extends Application {
public void onCreate(){
    super.onCreate();

    LocaleUtils.setLocale(new Locale("iw"));
    LocaleUtils.updateConfig(this, getBaseContext().getResources().getConfiguration());
}

@Override
public void onConfigurationChanged(Configuration newConfig) {
    super.onConfigurationChanged(newConfig);
    LocaleUtils.updateConfig(this, newConfig);
}
}

Code in Activity

public class BaseActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
    public BaseActivity() {
        LocaleUtils.updateConfig(this);
    }
}

Answer 22

I finally figured out how to setup it to work on both =N android versions.

Extend AppCompatActivity with your own abstract class, like:

abstract class MLAppCompatActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
  override fun attachBaseContext(newBase: Context?) {
    super.attachBaseContext(LocaleHelper.wrap(newBase))
  }

  override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
        LocaleHelper.wrap(this)
    }
  }
}

attachBaseContext is called on Android >=N versions and on this way activity will use the correct context. On Android <N, we have to call this function on one other way, before setting content view. Therefore we override onCreate function to set correct context. Means, whenever you create a new Activity you have to extend your abstract class. Like this one:

class TermsActivity : MLAppCompatActivity() {
  override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_terms)
  }
}

And finally the LocaleHelper is like this:

import android.annotation.TargetApi;
import android.content.Context;
import android.content.ContextWrapper;
import android.content.SharedPreferences;
import android.content.res.Configuration;
import android.content.res.Resources;
import android.os.Build;
import android.util.DisplayMetrics;

import com.at_zone.constants.SharedPreferencesKeys;

import java.util.Locale;

public class LocaleHelper extends ContextWrapper {

    public LocaleHelper(Context base) {
        super(base);
    }

    public static Context wrap(Context context) {
        SharedPreferences sharedPreferences = context.getSharedPreferences(
                SharedPreferencesKeys.SHARED_PREFERENCES, Context.MODE_PRIVATE
        );
        String language = sharedPreferences.getString(SharedPreferencesKeys.CURRENT_LANGUAGE, "default");
        if (!language.equals("default")) {
            Configuration config = context.getResources().getConfiguration();
            if (!language.equals("")) {
                Locale locale = new Locale(language);
                Locale.setDefault(locale);
                if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
                    setSystemLocale(config, locale);
                } else {
                    setSystemLocaleLegacy(context, config, locale);
                }
                config.setLayoutDirection(locale);
                context = context.createConfigurationContext(config);
            }
            return new LocaleHelper(context);
        }
        return context;
    }

    public static String getSystemLanguage(Context context) {
        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
            return getSystemLocale(context).getLanguage().toLowerCase();
        } else {
            return getSystemLocaleLegacy(context).getLanguage().toLowerCase();
        }
    }

    public static Locale getSystemLocaleLegacy(Context context) {
        Configuration config = context.getResources().getConfiguration();
        return config.locale;
    }

    @TargetApi(Build.VERSION_CODES.N)
    public static Locale getSystemLocale(Context context) {
        return context.getResources().getConfiguration().getLocales().get(0);
    }

    public static void setSystemLocaleLegacy(Context context, Configuration config, Locale locale) {
        config.locale = locale;
        Resources res = context.getResources();
        DisplayMetrics dm = res.getDisplayMetrics();
        res.updateConfiguration(config, dm);
    }

    @TargetApi(Build.VERSION_CODES.N)
    public static void setSystemLocale(Configuration config, Locale locale) {
        config.setLocale(locale);
    }

}

Answer 23

There are some steps that you should implement

First, you need to change the locale of your configuration

Resources resources = context.getResources();

Configuration configuration = resources.getConfiguration();
configuration.locale = new Locale(language);

resources.updateConfiguration(configuration, resources.getDisplayMetrics());

Second, if you want your changes to apply directly to the layout that is visible, you either can update the views directly or you can just call activity.recreate() to restart the current activity.

And also you have to persist your changes because after user closes your application then you would lose the language change.

I explained more detailed solution on my blog post Change Language Programmatically in Android

Basically, you just call LocaleHelper.onCreate() on your application class and if you want to change locale on the fly you can call LocaleHelper.setLocale()

Answer 24

This is working when i press button to change text language of my TextView.(strings.xml in values-de folder)

String languageToLoad = "de"; // your language
Configuration config = getBaseContext().getResources().getConfiguration();
Locale locale = new Locale(languageToLoad);
Locale.setDefault(locale);
config.locale = locale;
getBaseContext().getResources().updateConfiguration(config, getBaseContext().getResources().getDisplayMetrics());
recreate();

Answer 25

Add LocaleHelper class

public class LocaleHelper{ 
private static final String SELECTED_LANGUAGE = "Locale.Helper.Selected.Language";
public static Context onAttach(Context context) {
    String lang = getPersistedData(context, Locale.getDefault().getLanguage());
    return setLocale(context, lang);
}

public static Context onAttach(Context context, String defaultLanguage) {
    String lang = getPersistedData(context, defaultLanguage);
    return setLocale(context, lang);
}

public static String getLanguage(Context context) {
    return getPersistedData(context, Locale.getDefault().getLanguage());
}
public static Context setLocale(Context context, String language) {
    persist(context, language);

    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
        return updateResources(context, language);
    }

    return updateResourcesLegacy(context, language);
}

private static String getPersistedData(Context context, String defaultLanguage) {
    SharedPreferences preferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context);
    return preferences.getString(SELECTED_LANGUAGE, defaultLanguage);
}

private static void persist(Context context, String language) {
    SharedPreferences preferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context);
    SharedPreferences.Editor editor = preferences.edit();

    editor.putString(SELECTED_LANGUAGE, language);
    editor.apply();
}

@TargetApi(Build.VERSION_CODES.N)
private static Context updateResources(Context context, String language) {
    Locale locale = new Locale(language);
    Locale.setDefault(locale);

    Configuration configuration = context.getResources().getConfiguration();
    configuration.setLocale(locale);
    configuration.setLayoutDirection(locale);

    return context.createConfigurationContext(configuration);
}

@SuppressWarnings("deprecation")
private static Context updateResourcesLegacy(Context context, String language) {
    Locale locale = new Locale(language);
    Locale.setDefault(locale);

    Resources resources = context.getResources();

    Configuration configuration = resources.getConfiguration();
    configuration.locale = locale;
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.JELLY_BEAN_MR1) {
        configuration.setLayoutDirection(locale);
    }

    resources.updateConfiguration(configuration, resources.getDisplayMetrics());

    return context;
}
}

In Activity or Fragment

Context context = LocaleHelper.setLocale(this, App.getSharedPre().getLanguage());
Resource resources = context.getResources();

Now SetText on every text

TextView tv = findViewById(R.id.tv);
tv.setText(resources.getString(R.string.tv));

Answer 26

For me the best solution is this one: https://www.bitcaal.com/how-to-change-the-app-language-programmatically-in-android/

package me.mehadih.multiplelanguage;

import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;

import android.content.res.Configuration;
import android.content.res.Resources;
import android.os.Build;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.util.DisplayMetrics;

import java.util.Locale;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setApplicationLocale("az"); // short name of language. "en" for English
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

    }

    private void setApplicationLocale(String locale) {
        Resources resources = getResources();
        DisplayMetrics dm = resources.getDisplayMetrics();
        Configuration config = resources.getConfiguration();
        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.JELLY_BEAN_MR1) {
            config.setLocale(new Locale(locale.toLowerCase()));
        } else {
            config.locale = new Locale(locale.toLowerCase());
        }
        resources.updateConfiguration(config, dm);
    }
}

Answer 27

For androidx.appcompat:appcompat users, above solutions will work after version 1.3.0. As mentioned in here.

Answer 28

You can ask the user to select the language in first screen and save it in SharedPreferences

SharedPreferences.Editor editor = getSharedPreferences("uinfo", MODE_PRIVATE).edit();
editor.putString("lang", "si");
editor.apply();
    
recreate();

Then you can take it in every Activity in your application. Here I have set English and Sinhala languages.

@Override
protected void attachBaseContext(Context base) {
    SharedPreferences prefs = base.getSharedPreferences("uinfo", MODE_PRIVATE);
    String restoredText = prefs.getString("lang", "No name defined");

    if (restoredText.equals("si")){
        super.attachBaseContext(LocaleHelper.localeUpdateResources(base, "si"));
    }else{
        super.attachBaseContext(LocaleHelper.localeUpdateResources(base, "en"));
    }
}

And this is your localUpdateResources method. Place it in LocalHelper class

public class LocaleHelper {
    public static Context localeUpdateResources(Context context, String languageCode) {

        Context newContext = context;

        Locale locale = new Locale(languageCode);
        Locale.setDefault(locale);

        Resources resources = context.getResources();
        Configuration config = new Configuration(resources.getConfiguration());

        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.JELLY_BEAN_MR1) {

            config.setLocale(locale);
            newContext = context.createConfigurationContext(config);

        } else {

            config.locale = locale;
            resources.updateConfiguration(config, resources.getDisplayMetrics());
        }

        return newContext;

    }
}

Answer 29

Resources.updateConfiguration() has been deprecated and I have resolved this without creating any custom ContextWrapper.

First I created an extension function

fun Context.setAppLocale(language: String): Context {
    val locale = Locale(language)
    Locale.setDefault(locale)
    val config = resources.configuration
    config.setLocale(locale)
    config.setLayoutDirection(locale)
    return createConfigurationContext(config)
}

Then in the activity's attachBaseContext method, simply replacing the context with the new one.

override fun attachBaseContext(newBase: Context) {
  super.attachBaseContext(ContextWrapper(newBase.setAppLocale("bn")))
}