# Bought phone from eBay -- all in Japanese. How to access settings to change language? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 15, 2022, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025 "2022-07-15T19:32:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/1 "2022-07-15T19:32:06Z")
Those who have followed the saga of me and my BlackBerry Key2 will not be surprised that I searched for a new one as a backup if and when my current one dies. I bought a brand new Key2 from an eBay seller in Hong Kong. It arrived early, all sealed up in its brand new box. When I booted it up, all screens are in Japanese. I messaged the seller and he repeatedly referred me to this YouTube video to change the language: **[BLACKBERRY Key2 CHANGE LANGUAGE / Set Up Language - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Lqr7G7I7k)** But this video BEGINS with a user looking at a normal home screen full of icons that are recognizable even if you don’t know the language (or indeed, the alphabet). I cannot access a screen like that. When I turn the phone on, I see a screen with Japanese text and **NO** icons, like this: [![](https://i.imgur.com/s2fD8cC.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/s2fD8cC.jpg) I can move from screen to screen and even connect with my home WiFi by entering my password. But I can’t read any of the screens. Normally I access settings on my phone (which is identical to this new one: Android 8), by swiping down from the top. When I swipe down from the top of my new phone, nothing happens. One of my girlfriends has a daughter-in-law who is Japanese, and my plan is to see if she can help me get to the settings. Today the friend (the mother-in-law) has COVID and I don’t want to bother her with this triviality today or probably even over the weekend. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/2 "2022-07-15T19:47:58Z")
I opened your photo and used GoogleTranslate on my phone. > LOGIN > > > Log in with your Google Account > > > > Email address or phone number > > > > if you forgot your email address > > > > Create an account > > SKIP \>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>to the next ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/3 "2022-07-15T19:52:05Z")
The first step is the tough one. Learn Japanese. The rest are kinda easy. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/4 "2022-07-15T19:56:02Z")
It’s not worth opening a Pit thread just so I can reply to you. * * * * * * Even if I log into Google, how will that get me to settings? Everything will still be in Japanese, right? * * * * * * What would happen if I put the SIM card from my current phone into this phone? Would I then be able to swipe down and access settings? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/5 "2022-07-15T19:58:46Z")
Google presumably knows you prefer English, so if you log in to your Google account, it will switch the language automagically. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/6 "2022-07-15T20:03:58Z")
Good idea. I’m now logged into Google, but whole screen full of Japanese. * * * > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > What would happen if I put the SIM card from my current phone into this phone? Would I then be able to swipe down and access settings? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/7 "2022-07-15T20:08:28Z")
That’s unexpected. Maybe you never set your language? > **[Change your language on the web - Computer - Google Account Help](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/32047?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop)** > > Google services are available in all Google languages. You can change the display language to your preferred language at any time. These instructions are to change your preferred language used in Goo This may be the problem: > - **I use a mobile device** : Changes to your preferred language are reflected on the web. To change the preferred language for mobile apps, update the language settings on your device. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/8 "2022-07-15T20:13:32Z")
If you have another device with a camera that can use Google Translate, you could use that to read the screen and get set up. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/9 "2022-07-15T20:22:19Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > **I use a mobile device** : Changes to your preferred language are reflected on the web. To change the preferred language for mobile apps, **update the language settings on your device.** I can’t change settings on my device because I can’t access settings because everything is in Japanese. * * * * * * > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > What would happen if I put the SIM card from my current phone into this phone? Would I then be able to swipe down and access settings? ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/10 "2022-07-15T20:28:57Z")
This instruction shows the menus in English, but it also shows the icons that should go with the choices. Can you swipe down from the top and access the settings menu? > **[How to change the language on BlackBerry KEY2](https://www.devicesfaq.com/en/change-language/blackberry-key2)** > > How to change the language on a BlackBerry KEY2. Step-by-step instructions for adding languages to KEY2 from the device settings. Add language ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/11 "2022-07-15T20:30:55Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > If you have another device with a camera that can use Google Translate, you could use that to read the screen and get set up Yes, this is just what I was going to suggest. Anybody with a different phone or tablet that can run the Google translate app can help you. Perhaps the device you took the picture with? If you’ve never used it, the app will do a live translation of whatever it sees in the camera, displaying the English text in place of the foreign text. So operate the Japanese phone by looking at it through a different phone. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/12 "2022-07-15T20:35:00Z")
> [@naita](#): > > it also shows the icons that should go with the choices I cannot get any icons on the new phone. Just Japanese text. I cannot access settings at all (as noted in thread title). * * * * * * I do have another device with a camera, namely my principal phone, a BB Key2 that is the twin of the new phone. I’ll try that in a little while after I’ve calmed down a bit. I really need someone in person who can read Japanese. * * * * * * > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > What would happen if I put the SIM card from my current phone into this phone? Would I then be able to swipe down and access settings? Would someone address this question, please? ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/13 "2022-07-15T20:42:44Z")
Maybe more screenshots posted here? Some dopers (myself included) can read Japanese. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/14 "2022-07-15T21:07:24Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > > What would happen if I put the SIM card from my current phone into this phone? Would I then be able to swipe down and access settings? > > Would someone address this question, please? Repeat ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/15 "2022-07-15T21:28:11Z")
Okay. Making progress. Maybe. With the Google Translate app I navigated (agreeing and saying “OK” to God knows what) til I got to a screen with icons. I was able to swipe down from the top and access settings. Still using Translate, got to system → languages. Then got to here: [![](https://i.imgur.com/4EDzUDW.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/4EDzUDW.jpg) I chose “English,” but everything is still in Japanese. I rebooted, thinking this would turn into English, but it didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/16 "2022-07-15T21:29:22Z")
What happens if you select the hamburger icon next to English (United States)? ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/17 "2022-07-15T21:29:51Z")
The SIM would allow you to connect to the phone network, but AFAIK there’s no magic in a SIM that overrides the Android operating system’s current settings. My guess is that you’re partway through the phone’s setup process and you may not be able to mess with language settings until you get all the way through. Forcibly rebooting the phone to the Recovery menu (which should be English AFAIK) would let you access a menu item to factory reset the device and start the setup process all over again. > **[How to reset BlackBerry KEY2 - Factory reset and erase all data](https://www.devicesfaq.com/en/reset/blackberry-key2)** > > How to reset BlackBerry KEY2. Hard reset to factory settings KEY2. How to hard reset device. Erase or format. Wipe data According to this Youtube video, you should be able to select your language from a pulldown menu on the very first screen. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qZPVl0_uLUo/maxresdefault.jpg "How to Set Up BLACKBERRY Key2 - Activation & Configuration") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZPVl0_uLUo) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/18 "2022-07-15T21:33:34Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > What happens if you select the hamburger icon next to English (United States)? Nothing. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/19 "2022-07-15T21:35:47Z")
That’s not a hamburger. It’s a drag handle, allowing you to prioritize one language ahead of or behind others. Try pulling “English (United States)” to the top of the list using that handle. You can remove all languages besides English with the three dot menu above the language list. The only menu item in that menu should be the Japanese equivalent of “Remove” and the resulting screen should show all the languages in the phone with check boxes. Check the entries other than English, then use the garbage can icon to delete the selected languages. I figure that if the only language the phone has available is the one you need, it should adjust to using it universally. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025/20 "2022-07-15T21:37:58Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Try pulling "English (United States) to the top of the list using that handle. **EUREKA!!** Now we’re cooking with gas! Still and all, changing all the international stuff may prove to be too daunting. In the thread about being patient with tech stuff, I said I was very patient, but this might be more than I can cope with. I need to go drink some wine and come back later… Thanks, y’all! Gnoitall, you really _gno_ your stuff. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bought-phone-from-ebay-all-in-japanese-how-to-access-settings-to-change-language/968025.md?page=2)