# Localization

The Open Video UI for Android can be localized to different languages, enabling you to reach audiences from different regions of the world.

Localization works by [providing alternative resources](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/resources/providing-resources#AlternativeResources) in one or more languages. You can choose to [change the text of the default language](#changing-the-default-language) to target a single audience, or [add alternative languages](#add-alternative-languages) to target many audiences.

## Changing the default language

By default, the Open Video UI ships with English texts only. If your app targets a non-English speaking audience, you can override these texts with translations for another language.

1. Copy the English string resources from [`res/values/strings.xml`](https://github.com/THEOplayer/android-ui/blob/main/ui/src/main/res/values/strings.xml) to your app's resources for the default locale (i.e. `res/values/strings.xml`).

2. Change the resource values to the translated texts. For example, to change the title of the "Language" menu, you would change the contents of the `theoplayer_ui_menu_language` resource:

   res/values/strings.xml

   ```xml
   <resources>
     <string name="theoplayer_ui_menu_language">Langue</string> <!-- translated to French -->
   </resources>
   ```

   > **Tip**
   >
   > You can also use the [Translations Editor in Android Studio](https://developer.android.com/studio/write/translations-editor) to edit these values.

3. Build and run your app. The translated texts should now appear in your player UI.

## Add alternative languages

If your app targets many audiences speaking different languages, you can add multiple translations using locale-specific resources.

1. Copy the English string resources from [`res/values/strings.xml`](https://github.com/THEOplayer/android-ui/blob/main/ui/src/main/res/values/strings.xml) to your app's resources for the default locale (i.e. `res/values/strings.xml`).

2. Add a new string resources file for a new locale. For example, for French, create the file: `res/values-fr/strings.xml`.

3. Add translated versions for each English string resource to the new resources file. For example, to translate the title of the "Language" menu, you would add an entry for `theoplayer_ui_menu_language`:

   res/values-fr/strings.xml

   ```xml
   <resources>
     <string name="theoplayer_ui_menu_language">Langue</string>
   </resources>
   ```

## Remarks

### Update translations when upgrading Open Video UI

Newer versions of the Open Video UI for Android may add new string resources that need to be translated.

When using custom translations in your app, we recommend pinning the `com.theoplayer.android-ui:android-ui` dependency in your app's `build.gradle` to a specific version. Avoid using `+` in the dependency's version range.

build.gradle

```groovy
dependencies {
    implementation "com.theoplayer.android-ui:android-ui:1.9.0"
}
```

When you decide to upgrade Open Video UI to the latest version, make sure to also update your translations. Check the history for [`res/values/strings.xml`](https://github.com/THEOplayer/android-ui/commits/main/ui/src/main/res/values/strings.xml) to see whether any string resources were added or changed since the previous version.

## More information

* [Localize your app on Android Developers](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/resources/localization)
* [Support different languages and cultures on Android Developers](https://developer.android.com/training/basics/supporting-devices/languages)