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

Alex Volovoy answer only works for me if it's in onCreate method of the activity.

The answer that works in all the methods is in another thread

Change language programmatically in Android

Here is the adaptation of the code

    Resources standardResources = getBaseContext().getResources();

    AssetManager assets = standardResources.getAssets();

    DisplayMetrics metrics = standardResources.getDisplayMetrics();

    Configuration config = new Configuration(standardResources.getConfiguration());

    config.locale = new Locale(languageToLoad);

    Resources defaultResources = new Resources(assets, metrics, config);

Hope that it helps.

Answer 2

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 3

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 4

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

Answer 5

private void setLanguage(String language) {
    Locale locale = new Locale(language);
    Locale.setDefault(locale);
    Configuration config = new Configuration();
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.JELLY_BEAN_MR1) {
        config.setLocale(locale);
    } else {
        config.locale = locale;
    }
    getResources().updateConfiguration(config,
            getResources().getDisplayMetrics());

}

Answer 6

If u write

android:configChanges="locale"

in every activity than no need to set it every time you enter activity