Change Language when Button Pressed in Xcode

In this article, we’ll explore how to change the language of an iOS app in Xcode. We’ll also discuss how to load translations from different files based on user input.

Introduction

Creating a multi-language app can be a challenging task, especially if you’re new to iOS development. However, with the right approach, you can create an app that caters to users worldwide. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of changing the language in Xcode and how to load translations from different files.

Understanding Language Settings

Before we dive into the code, let’s understand how the iPhone handles languages. When you set the device’s language, it affects not only the system’s UI but also the app’s behavior. For example, if you’re using a string resource with a certain language, the app will use that string instead of another one.

However, when you change your app’s language setting, it doesn’t affect the device’s language setting. This is why users need to set their device’s language before using your app.

Setting Up Language Support in Xcode

To create a multi-language app in Xcode, you’ll need to add support for multiple languages. Here are the steps:

1. Create a new project in Xcode and select “iOS App” as the template.
2. In the Project Navigator, navigate to the Resources folder.
3. Inside the Resources folder, create a new folder called locale.
4. Inside the locale folder, create separate folders for each language you want to support (e.g., “Dutch”, “English”, “French”).
5. Create a string file (.strings) for each language and add your app’s translation files.

Loading Translations

To load translations from different files based on user input, we’ll use a combination of Xcode’s built-in features and some coding magic. Here’s how:

Using NSLocale to Detect the User’s Language

We can use NSLocale to detect the user’s language setting.

#import <Foundation/Foundation.h>

@interface YourViewController () <NSLocaleDetecting>

@end

@implementation YourViewController

- (void)viewDidLoad {
    [super viewDidLoad];

    // Create an instance of NSLocaleDetecting
    NSLocale *locale = [[NSLocale alloc] initWithLocaleIdentifier:@"en_US"];

    // Check if the locale is available
    if ([locale hasPreferredLanguages]) {

        // Get the user's language setting
        NSString *languageCode = [locale preferredLanguages][0];

        // Load translations based on the language code
        NSString *translationsFile = [NSString stringWithFormat:@"translation_%@.strings", languageCode];
        NSBundle *bundle = [NSBundle bundleWithIdentifier:translationsFile];

        if (bundle) {

            // Use the loaded translations
            // ...
        }
    }

    // If the locale is not available, use a default translation file
    else {
        NSString *defaultTranslationsFile = @"translation_default.strings";
        NSBundle *bundle = [NSBundle bundleWithIdentifier:defaultTranslationsFile];

        if (bundle) {

            // Use the default translations
            // ...
        }
    }
}

@end

Using NSLocalizedString with a Customization Option

We can also use LocalizedString to load translations from different files based on user input.

#import <Foundation/Foundation.h>

@interface YourViewController ()

@end

@implementation YourViewController

- (void)viewDidLoad {
    [super viewDidLoad];

    // Create an instance of NSLocalizedStringCustomization
    NSLocalizedStringCustomization *customization = [[NSLocalizedStringCustomization alloc] init];
    customization.keyPath = @"Dutch";
    customization.defaultValue = @"Hello, World!";
    customization.valueForStringTableKey = @"hello_world";

    // Use NSLocalizedString with the customization option
    NSString *localizedString = [NSString localizedStringWithKey:@"dutch" options:0 value:nil table:[NSBundle bundleIdentifier:@"YourAppBundle"]];
    self.label.text = localizedString;

}

@end

Conclusion

Changing the language of an iOS app in Xcode can be a bit complex, but with the right approach, you can create an app that caters to users worldwide. By using NSLocale and LocalizedStringCustomization, we’ve shown how to load translations from different files based on user input.

Remember to always test your app thoroughly for multi-language support to ensure that it meets your users’ needs.

Last modified on 2024-08-04