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How to Change Language on Mac: Our Answer with Type Switch

Hello!

We are a team of passionate designers and developers committed to simplifying the digital experience for multilingual users. Combining our skills in UX/UI design and software development, we created Type Switch — the ultimate solution for anyone wondering how to change language on Mac. This tool makes switching languages on macOS effortless and intuitive.

Why Type Switch?

The inspiration for Type Switch emerged from a common frustration our team faced as multilingual users. Switching between languages such as English, Ukrainian, and others often felt like an endless battle with macOS settings. Mistakes became frequent and frustrating, whether it was typing “Yes, I agree” only to see “Нус, Ф щгуру,” or forgetting to switch input languages when searching for favorite bands like Sigur Rós, resulting in “Ішпгк Кщі.”

Here are the key challenges we identified:

  1. Lack of visibility: macOS doesn’t provide a clear way to see which language is active. This can lead to embarrassing typing errors, especially during critical tasks.
  2. Inconvenience of switching: For those who use three or more languages, cycling through input methods quickly becomes inefficient and error-prone.
  3. Time and focus disruption: The frequent need to adjust settings interrupted workflows, reducing productivity and causing unnecessary stress.

We set out to solve these problems by creating an application that eliminates the confusion and inefficiencies of language switching, offering users a seamless and reliable solution.

Customizable button to display and switch installed languages on your Mac

How It All Started

The journey began with thorough research. We analyzed existing tools and identified their shortcomings. While apps offering automatic language switching seemed promising, we found that they often introduced new frustrations, like unintended changes during typing, which could distort entire sentences. This trial-and-error inspired us to focus on manual switching for greater accuracy and user control.

Our team collaborated to design the app’s functionality and interface. Drawing on extensive UX/UI experience, we created a prototype in Figma and iterated on the design to ensure it met both aesthetic and functional standards. Every feature was carefully crafted to align with user needs and Apple’s design guidelines.

Development

Our shared goal was to create a simple yet powerful tool. Here’s how we approached it:

  • Core Features: The app needed a visible panel or button to display the active language. This button would allow users to switch languages instantly, either through a click or a customizable hotkey.
  • Customization: The button’s size, color, and transparency could be adjusted to suit individual preferences.
  • Accessibility: Sound and voice feedback were added to announce the selected language, making the app more inclusive for users with visual impairments.
  • Always-On-Top: Ensuring the button remained visible above all windows was a technical challenge, but our team worked tirelessly to implement this feature without compromising macOS’s interface rules.
Design logo type switch app

Challenges and Triumphs

As with any ambitious project, Type Switch had its share of hurdles. From sleepless nights refining the code to overcoming design challenges, we faced numerous learning moments. Some of the more memorable ones include:

  • User Testing: Early beta testing provided invaluable feedback. For instance, testers requested greater control over sound notifications, leading us to introduce adjustable volume and toggling options.
  • Visual Integration: Ensuring the button blended seamlessly with macOS’s modern aesthetic required countless iterations. The result was an interface that felt native yet distinctive.
  • Technical Constraints: Achieving the always-on-top functionality without disrupting macOS’s hierarchy required deep collaboration and creative problem-solving.
Type Switch Here's what you get

Public Release and What’s Next

The initial public release of Type Switch was met with enthusiasm. Multilingual professionals, writers, and even developers appreciated its efficiency and ease of use. Positive feedback on platforms like Product Hunt motivated us to keep improving the app.

Moving forward, we plan to:

  • Expand customization options to meet the diverse needs of our growing user base.
  • Introduce new features inspired by user feedback, ensuring Type Switch remains an indispensable tool for multilingual individuals.
  • Explore partnerships to bring Type Switch to more platforms and audiences.
Floating panel of Type Switch on macOS for seamless input language switching

A Collective Vision

Type Switch showcases what’s possible when a team of enthusiasts comes together with a shared purpose. It’s not just a tool; it’s a solution designed to solve real-world frustrations and answer the question, “How to change language on Mac?” in a clear and convenient way. Shaped by a commitment to innovation, Type Switch simplifies language switching on macOS and inspires others to pursue their ideas, no matter how small they may seem.

As the saying goes:

“The best solutions often come from understanding a shared challenge and daring to create something better together.”

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