How to add multiple languages and language selector to Shopify?

January 04, 2025

Adding multiple languages to your Shopify store allows you to reach a broader audience and improve customer experience.

Follow the steps below to set up multiple languages and a language selector (aka language switcher) in your Shopify store.

Recommendation: Increase sales and AOV by letting your customers build personalized product boxes - perfect for gift boxes, mix and match bundles, custom boxes. Install today Boxi: Build a Box & Gift Boxes

Requirements

Before you begin, ensure that your store meets the following requirements:

  • You are on the Basic Shopify plan or higher.

  • Your active theme is compatible with selling in multiple languages (all free Shopify themes are compatible).

Steps to add a language

1. Add a new language

Start by logging into your Shopify admin account. Once you’re in, please head over to the Settings section - you’ll find it in the lower-left corner of your screen.

Shopify settings page

Next, click on Languages. To add a new one, simply hit the Add a language button.

Shopify add language

From the drop-down list, select the desired language and click Add.

If your store has more than one market, you will need to select a market before adding the language.

Shopify select language

2. Publish the language

After adding the language, click on the three-dot menu next to it.

Shopify click on meny

Select Publish to make the language available on your store.

Shopify publish language

3. Add the language selector in your store

In your Shopify admin, please go to Online Store and click on Customize next to your current theme.

Shopify Online Store

On the customization page, look for the Footer section in the sidebar menu. Click on it to reveal its settings.

On the right-hand side of your screen, under Language selector section, you should see a switch Enable language selector. Switch it on to make it visible in your store’s footer.

Finally Save the changes. The language selector has been enabled.

Shopify theme customization

If your theme does not provide a language selector, please check this solution on how to add the language selector code manually to your theme.

Visit your store to see if the language selector has appeared.

Shopify see language selector

Congratulations! Customers from other countries can now easily navigate your store in their preferred language. Take a moment to review your store translations and make any necessary adjustments for a polished, professional look.

What is the next step? Install Shopify Translate & Adapt to further translate your store content.

Recommendation: Increase sales and AOV by letting your customers build personalized product boxes - perfect for gift boxes, mix and match bundles, custom boxes. Install today Boxi: Build a Box & Gift Boxes


Profile picture

Written by Dmitri Pavlutin, who helps merchants grow their Shopify eCommerce stores.

© 2025