Change default locale and hreflang for the existing language

This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.

Problem:
You are trying to change the default locale, hreflang, and language mapping to Portuguese-Brazil on your website but encountered an error stating 'The default locale already exists.' You were able to change the mapping but not the locale or hreflang.
Solution:
To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
1) Activate the pre-defined Portuguese (Brazil) language on your site.
2) Go to the language settings and click to edit the languages. Initially, change the default locale for the Portuguese (Brazil) language to a temporary one, such as

pt_BRtt

, and save the changes.
3) After this, you can set the new language data with default-locale:

pt_BR

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Tagged: Documentation request, Exception

This topic contains 3 replies, has 2 voices.

Last updated by Andrey 3 months ago.

Assisted by: Andrey.

Author	Posts
June 18, 2024 at 4:25 pm #15750093
alinaC-9	<b>Background of the issue: </b> At my website hidden link, I have a directory for Portuguese language gologin.com/pt/. I would like to change the default locale, hreflang, and language mapping to Portuguese-Brazil to locate my content to the Brazil region. Current language data: default-locale: pt_PT, hreflang: pt, mapping: portuguese. - Screen1 New language data (Portuguese-Brazil): default-locale: pt_BR, hreflang: pt-br (or just br), mapping: portuguese-brasil. - Screen2 I was able to make it for mapping only. <b>Symptoms: </b> I've got an error that 'The default locale already exists.' <b>Questions: </b> How could I make such changes to the default locale, hreflang, and language mapping? I have not fpund info about the use of default locale at your documents, could you also provide a link with this settings description? What is the correct way to change the default locale to pt_BR?
June 18, 2024 at 8:21 pm #15750857
Andrey Supporter Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+03:00)	Thank you for contacting WPML support. It means that the default locale pt_BR already exists for the pre-defined language. Instead of changing it, I recommend activating the existing Portuguese (Brazil) language in WPML → Languages → Site languages and clicking the "Add / Remove languages" button. https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/pre-configured-languages/
June 19, 2024 at 7:08 am #15753413
alinaC-9	Hi, Andrey Actually I'm trying to change the locale of existing language. We have posts and pages translated. If there any way to make such a changes? Or if there is any way to migrate my translations to the newly created language? Best regards
June 19, 2024 at 12:23 pm #15755589
Andrey Supporter Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+03:00)	You can actually change the default locale for an existing language, but since the locale you are going to use already exists, you need to first change it for another language to something else. For example: 1) Activate the pre-defined Portuguese (Brazil) language. 2) Click to Edit the languages. First, change the default locale for the Portuguese (Brazil) language to something else, such as pt_BRtt, and save. 3) Then, for new language data, you can use default-locale: pt_BR.
June 20, 2024 at 6:25 am #15761228
alinaC-9	Thank you Andrey, everything went perfect and I've managed to change hreflang and locale with your adwise. BR,

alinaC-9 confirmed that the issue was resolved on 2024-06-20 06:25:20.
This ticket is now closed. If you're a WPML client and need related help, please open a new support ticket.