How to Convert an iPod Touch and Apple iPhone to Chinese

by Julius Vandersteen
You can change the language on your iPod Touch and iPhone.

You can change the language on your iPod Touch and iPhone.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images

The iPod Touch and the iPhone both run Apple’s iOS operating system, which means that you can use the same procedure to convert either device to Chinese. This includes converting it to display Chinese characters as well as to show Chinese when you type. Apple includes multiple configurations for Chinese keyboards, enabling you to enter Cangjie, Pinyin, Wubihua and Zhuyin characters. When you type, the keyboard displays suggested letters for you to select.

Convert iOS Device to Chinese

Step 1

Press the “Home” button on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Step 2

Tap the “Settings” icon, and then tap “General.”

Step 3

Tap “International,” and then tap “Region Format.” Tap “Chinese,” and then tap “China” to set the device’s date, time and telephone number formats to Chinese.

Step 4

Tap “International” to go back to the previous menu. Tap “Language,” and then tap “Chinese,” which is written in Chinese characters. Tap “Done.” Your iOS device converts to Chinese.

Switch to Chinese Keyboard

Step 1

Tap “Settings,” and then tap “General.”

Step 2

Tap “Keyboard,” and then tap “International Keyboards.”

Step 3

Tap “Add New Keyboard,” and then tap the Chinese keyboard that you want to use, such as “Chinese – Traditional Pinyin” or “Chinese – Traditional – Cangjie.”

Step 4

Press the “Home” button to return to the home screen.

Step 5

Tap the icon of an app that requires typing, such as “Mail.” Tap the globe icon at the bottom of the keyboard repeatedly to cycle through the enabled languages until the keyboard turns to Chinese characters.

Warning

  • If you change the language to one you don't understand by mistake, it can be difficult to set it back, since the interface completely changes. Press the “Home” button on your device, then tap the icon that resembles a gear to access Settings. Tap the gear icon once more, and then scroll down until you see a group of four options. Tap the third option, which is “International.” Then tap the first option to select “Language,” and then tap “English” to set the language back to English, for instance.

About the Author

Julius Vandersteen has been a freelance writer since 1999. His work has appeared in “The Los Angeles Times,” “Wired” and “S.F. Weekly.” Vandersteen has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from San Francisco State University.

Photo Credits

  • Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images