Deleting your Duolingo account removes all your learning data and progress, and you cannot undo it once complete

Duolingo does not have a delete button inside the app itself. To remove your account, you log into the website (not the mobile app), go to your account settings, find the "Delete Account" option, and confirm the deletion. The process takes a few minutes, but once you confirm, everything tied to that account — your lessons, streaks, friends list, and profile — is gone for good.

Before you delete, understand what you are losing. Your learning progress cannot be recovered. If you share a Duolingo family plan with others, deleting your account does not remove them from the plan, but you will lose access to any family features you were using. If you have paid for Duolingo Plus (the subscription version), you will not get a refund for unused time, so check your billing date first.

Key Takeaways

  • You must delete your account through the Duolingo website, not through the mobile app or any other method.
  • Deletion is permanent — Duolingo does not restore accounts or data after you confirm, so read or screenshot anything you want to keep first.
  • If you have an active Duolingo Plus subscription, cancelling it before deletion prevents accidental charges after your account is gone.
  • Deleting your account does not affect other people on your family plan, but you lose your own access to shared features.

Step-by-step: How to delete your account

Open a web browser and go to duolingo.com. Log in with your email and password (or the account method you use — Google, Apple, or Facebook). Do not use the mobile app for this; the delete option is only on the website.

Once logged in, click your profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu. Scroll down until you see "Delete Account" near the bottom of the page. Click it. Duolingo will ask you to confirm by typing a specific phrase or clicking a final button. Complete this confirmation step, and your account will be deleted.

The deletion usually takes effect when ready, though it can take up to 30 days for Duolingo's servers to fully remove all your data from their backups. You will not be able to log back in after you confirm.

What happens to your Duolingo Plus subscription

If you pay for Duolingo Plus, deleting your account does not automatically cancel your subscription. Duolingo will continue to charge your payment method until the subscription period ends or you cancel it separately. To avoid unexpected charges, cancel your Plus subscription before you delete your account.

To cancel Plus, go to Settings, find "Subscription" or "Billing," and look for a "Cancel Subscription" button. The exact location varies depending on whether you signed up through the Duolingo website, the Apple App Store, Google Play, or another method. If you signed up through an app store, you may need to cancel through that store's settings instead of through Duolingo itself.

Backing up your learning data before deletion

Duolingo does not offer an official export tool for your learning history, but you can take screenshots of your profile, achievements, and streak calendar if you want a record. Open your profile page and take screenshots of anything you want to remember — your total XP, current streak, languages you were learning, or any badges you earned.

If you were using Duolingo for a class or study group, let those people know you are deleting your account so they are not surprised when you disappear from their friends list or class leaderboard. There is no way to transfer your progress to a new account, so if you think you might want to use Duolingo again later, consider deactivating instead of deleting — though Duolingo does not offer an official deactivation feature either, so deletion is the only permanent removal option.

If you want to stop using Duolingo without deleting

Deletion is permanent, so if you are unsure, you have other options. You can straightforward stop opening the app and let your streak end naturally. Your account will remain, and you can log back in anytime without losing your progress. You can also uninstall the app from your phone to remove notifications and reminders.

If you want to hide your profile from friends or stop appearing on leaderboards, go to Settings and look for privacy options. You can make your profile private so only people you approve can see your progress. This keeps your account active but limits who can view your learning activity.

Deleting through a third-party account (Google, Apple, Facebook)

If you signed up for Duolingo using Google, Apple ID, or Facebook instead of an email address, the deletion process is the same — you still go to the website, log in, and delete through Settings. Deleting your Duolingo account does not delete your Google, Apple, or Facebook account; it only removes the connection between them.

However, if you delete your Duolingo account and later try to sign up again using the same third-party account, Duolingo will treat it as a brand new account with no memory of your old progress. The old data is not recoverable.

What Duolingo does with your data after deletion

When you delete your account, Duolingo removes your personal information from its active systems. However, they may keep some data in backups or for legal reasons — this is standard practice for most online services. Duolingo's privacy policy states that they retain data as long as necessary to provide their service, and deletion requests are processed according to applicable laws.

If you have concerns about what data Duolingo holds on you beyond what appears in your account, you can submit a data subject access request through their privacy settings or contact their support team. Different countries have different rules about how long companies can keep your data after you delete your account, so the timeline varies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover my account after I delete it?

No. Once you confirm deletion, Duolingo does not restore accounts. If you change your mind, you would need to create a brand new account and start from zero. There is no grace period or recovery window.

Will deleting my account remove me from a family plan?

Deleting your account removes you from the family plan, but it does not affect the other people on the plan. They keep their accounts and their access to shared features. The plan owner may need to update the plan settings after you leave.

What if I signed up with my email but forgot my password?

Use the "Forgot Password" link on the Duolingo login page to reset it. Once you log back in, follow the deletion steps normally. If you cannot access your email, contact Duolingo support through their help center to verify your identity before they can help you delete the account.

Does deleting my account delete messages I sent to friends?

Duolingo does not have a direct messaging feature, so there are no messages to delete. Your friends will straightforward see that you are no longer on their friends list once your account is gone.

Can I delete my account from the mobile app?

No. The delete option only appears on the Duolingo website. You must use a computer or mobile browser to access duolingo.com and go through Settings to delete your account.