Thinking about saying goodbye to Duolingo? You can delete your Duolingo account through the website or iOS app. This guide covers everything you need to know about removing your account, from preparation to alternatives.
Learning a new language is exciting, but sometimes our priorities change. Maybe you’ve mastered your target language, or perhaps Duolingo’s gamified approach no longer fits your learning style. Whatever your reason, knowing how to delete your account is important.
Deleting your Duolingo account is straightforward, but there are a few things to consider first. We’ll walk you through the process step-by-step, explain what happens to your data, and offer some alternatives if you’re on the fence.
Why You Might Want to Delete Your Duolingo Account
Before we dive into the deletion process, let’s explore some common reasons why users choose to part ways with Duolingo.
Common Reasons for Account Deletion
- Achieved language goals: You’ve reached fluency or the desired proficiency level.
- Changing learning methods: Seeking a different approach to language learning.
- Privacy concerns: Want to remove personal data from Duolingo’s servers.
- Time constraints: No longer have time for daily lessons.
- App addiction: Feel the gamification is too addictive or distracting.
- Account security: Worried about a data breach or unauthorized access.
Considering Alternatives Before Deleting
Deleting your account is permanent, so it’s worth exploring other options first:
- Take a break: Use the app less frequently without deleting your progress.
- Adjust notifications: Reduce reminders if they’re becoming overwhelming.
- Try different courses: Explore other languages or skills within Duolingo.
- Use privacy settings: Limit what information is visible to others.
If these alternatives don’t address your concerns, deletion might be the right choice.
Preparing to Delete Your Duolingo Account
Before you hit that delete button, take a few moments to prepare. This will ensure you don’t lose anything important and that the process goes smoothly.
Backing Up Your Progress and Data
While Duolingo doesn’t offer a built-in export feature, you can still save your progress:
- Screenshot your achievements and level progress.
- Write down completed courses and skill levels.
- Save any notes or vocabulary lists you’ve created.
This way, if you ever decide to return to language learning, you’ll have a record of where you left off.
Cancelling Subscriptions and Memberships
If you’re a Super Duolingo subscriber, cancelling your account won’t automatically end your subscription. To avoid future charges:
- For iOS users:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions
- Find Duolingo and tap “Cancel Subscription”
- For Android users:
- Open Google Play Store
- Go to Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions
- Select Duolingo and cancel
- For web subscribers:
- Log into your Duolingo account
- Go to Settings > Subscription
- Click “Cancel Subscription”
Cancel at least one day before your renewal date to avoid extra charges.
Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting Your Duolingo Account on Web
Ready to say “adios” to Duolingo? Here’s how to delete your account using a web browser.
Accessing the Duolingo Drive-Thru
- Open your preferred web browser.
- Go to the Duolingo website and log in to your account.
- Navigate to the Duolingo Drive-Thru page.
The Drive-Thru is Duolingo’s hub for account management and data requests.
Initiating the Account Deletion Process
Once you’re on the Drive-Thru page:
- Scroll down to find the “Erase Personal Data” section.
- Click the big red button labeled “Erase Personal Data”.
- A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm your decision.
- If you’re sure, click “Yes, erase my data”.
Confirming Your Decision via Email
After requesting deletion:
- Check the email address linked to your Duolingo account.
- Look for an email from Duolingo about account deletion.
- Open the email and click the confirmation link.
Remember, clicking this link will deactivate your account immediately. You won’t be able to log in after this point.
Deleting Your Duolingo Account on Mobile Devices
Prefer to use your smartphone? Here’s how to delete your account on mobile.
iOS App Deletion Process
If you’re an iPhone or iPad user:
- Open the Duolingo app.
- Tap the Profile tab (cartoon avatar icon).
- Hit the gear icon in the top-right corner for Settings.
- Scroll to the bottom of the Settings page.
- Tap “Delete Account”.
- Follow the prompts to confirm deletion.
Android Users: Web-Based Deletion
Unfortunately, the Android app doesn’t have a direct delete option. Android users should:
- Open a web browser on your device.
- Follow the web-based deletion steps outlined earlier.
- You may need to request the desktop site for best results.
What Happens After You Request Account Deletion
Clicking that final confirmation doesn’t instantly erase everything. Here’s what to expect next.
The 7-Day Grace Period Explained
After confirming deletion:
- Your account enters a 7-day deactivation period.
- During this time, you can’t log in or use Duolingo services.
- This grace period gives you a chance to change your mind.
- After 7 days, your account and data are permanently deleted.
Duolingo implements this waiting period to prevent accidental deletions and give users time to reconsider.
Cancelling the Deletion Request
Had second thoughts? You can still save your account:
- Check the confirmation email Duolingo sent.
- Look for a “Cancel Request” link in the email.
- Click the link before the 7-day period ends.
- Your account will reactivate, and you can log in again.
Remember, once the grace period ends, there’s no going back. Your data will be gone for good.
Dealing with Linked Accounts and Services
Duolingo offers more than just its main language learning app. Let’s look at how deletion affects related services.
Impact on Duolingo for Schools Accounts
If you use Duolingo for Schools:
- Deleting your main account also removes your Schools access.
- Inform your teachers or students before deleting.
- Consider transferring classroom ownership if needed.
Teachers should delete all classrooms before account deletion to ensure a smooth transition.
Duolingo English Test Data Retention
For Duolingo English Test takers:
- Test data may be retained for up to 7 years.
- This is for test security and improvement purposes.
- Your personal account will still be deleted.
If you’ve taken the English Test, contact Duolingo support for specific data retention details.
Troubleshooting Common Issues When Deleting Your Account
Sometimes, the deletion process doesn’t go as smoothly as we’d like. Here are some common hiccups and how to handle them.
What to Do If You Can’t Find the Delete Option
Can’t spot the delete button? Try these steps:
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Try a different browser or device.
- Ensure you’re logged into the correct account.
- Check for any pending lessons or achievements that might block deletion.
If all else fails, contact Duolingo support directly for assistance.
Handling Subscription Cancellation Problems
Stuck with an active subscription? Here’s what to do:
- Double-check your subscription status in app store settings.
- Contact your app store (Apple or Google) customer service.
- Provide proof of account deletion to request subscription cancellation.
Keep any confirmation emails as evidence of your account deletion request.
Alternatives to Permanent Account Deletion
Not quite ready to say goodbye forever? Duolingo offers some less drastic options.
Temporarily Deactivating Your Account
Want a break without losing everything? Try deactivation:
- Log into your Duolingo account on the web.
- Go to Settings > Privacy.
- Look for an option to deactivate or disable your account.
- Follow the prompts to temporarily suspend your profile.
This keeps your data intact but hides your profile from other users.
Adjusting Privacy Settings and Notifications
Feeling overwhelmed? Tweak your settings:
- Reduce email and push notifications.
- Make your profile private.
- Leave Duolingo clubs or forums.
- Mute or block disruptive users.
These changes can make your Duolingo experience less intrusive without deleting your account.
Reactivating a Deleted Duolingo Account
Changed your mind after deletion? Here’s what you need to know.
Is It Possible to Recover a Deleted Account?
The short answer: no. Once the 7-day grace period ends, your account is gone for good. Duolingo can’t recover deleted accounts or data.
Starting Fresh with a New Account
If you want to return to Duolingo:
- Create a new account with a different email address.
- You’ll start from scratch with lessons and progress.
- Consider noting down your previous level before deleting to set goals.
Remember, your old username may no longer be available, so be prepared to choose a new one.
Protecting Your Data: What Duolingo Keeps After Deletion
Concerned about your digital footprint? Here’s what happens to your data post-deletion.
Understanding Duolingo’s Data Retention Policies
After account deletion:
- Personal information is removed from active databases.
- Some data may be retained in backups for a limited time.
- Anonymized usage data might be kept for app improvement.
Duolingo aims to balance user privacy with app functionality and security.
Your Rights Under Data Protection Laws
Depending on your location, you have certain data rights:
- Right to erasure (or “right to be forgotten”)
- Right to access your personal data
- Right to data portability
If you’re in the EU or California, you have additional protections under GDPR or CCPA.
Deleting your Duolingo account is a personal decision that depends on your language learning goals and privacy preferences. Whether you’re taking a break or saying goodbye for good, this guide has covered all the steps you need to take control of your Duolingo data.
Remember, language learning is a journey, not a destination. If Duolingo isn’t the right fit for you anymore, there are plenty of other ways to continue your linguistic adventures. Whatever path you choose, keep exploring, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to say “hello” (or “bonjour” or “こんにちは”) to new opportunities!