Adding friends on Duolingo takes two minutes and works the same way on phone or computer

You can add friends to Duolingo by searching for their username, sending them a friend request through a link, or letting them find you through a public profile. The fastest method depends on whether you already know their Duolingo username. Once you add someone, you can see their daily streak, compare your progress on a leaderboard, and send them messages within the app.

Duolingo does not require you to add friends to use the app — it is entirely optional. But adding friends can make the experience more social and give you a reason to keep your daily streak going.

Key Takeaways

  • You can search for a friend by their exact Duolingo username if you know it, or ask them for their username directly.
  • The easiest way to add someone is to send them a shareable friend link that they tap to accept your request.
  • You can make your profile public so friends can find you by searching your name, though this is optional.
  • Once you add a friend, you can see their streak, compete on leaderboards, and message them within the app.
  • Blocking a friend removes them from your list and prevents them from messaging you.

Adding a friend by username search

If you know someone's Duolingo username, you can search for them directly. On the mobile app, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, then tap the friends icon (it looks like two people). Tap the plus sign or "Add friends" button. Type their username into the search box — the username must be exact, so ask them to spell it if you are unsure.

On the web version, click your profile icon in the top right corner, select "Friends," then click "Add a friend." Type the username and search. Once you find them, click "Send friend request." They will see your request in their notifications and can accept or decline it.

The username is not the same as the display name. A person might have the display name "Sarah" but the username "sarah.chen.2024." Ask them which one is their Duolingo username if you are not sure.

Sending a friend link is faster if you are together

The quickest way to add someone is through a shareable link. Open your profile, tap or click the friends icon, then look for an option to "Share" or "Invite friends." The app will generate a unique link you can text, email, or share however you want. When they tap that link, they are added to your friends list automatically — no request to accept.

This method works best when you are physically together or messaging in another app. You send the link, they tap it, and you are connected when ready. No waiting for them to see a notification and respond.

Making your profile public so others can find you

By default, your Duolingo profile is private, which means people cannot search for you by your display name. If you want friends to be able to find you without needing your username or a link, you can make your profile public. Go to your profile settings, look for privacy or profile visibility options, and toggle "Public profile" on.

When your profile is public, anyone can search for you by your display name and send you a friend request. You can still decline requests you do not want. If you change your mind later, you can switch your profile back to private at any time.

What happens after you add a friend

Once someone accepts your friend request or you accept theirs, you can see each other's progress. You will appear on each other's friends list, and you can view their current streak, the languages they are learning, and their total XP (experience points). Many users compete on the weekly leaderboard, which shows who earned the most XP that week among your friends.

You can also send direct messages to friends within Duolingo. Tap their name from your friends list and select "Message" to start a conversation. This is useful for encouraging each other or making plans to practice together.

Removing or blocking a friend

If you want to remove someone from your friends list, open your friends list, find their name, and look for a menu icon (usually three dots) or a remove option. Tap it and confirm that you want to remove them. They will no longer see your progress or appear on your leaderboard.

If someone is messaging you and you do not want to hear from them, you can block them instead. Blocking removes them from your friends list and prevents them from sending you messages. To block someone, open their profile, find the block option (usually in a menu), and confirm. You can unblock them later if you change your mind.

Troubleshooting friend requests that do not go through

If you send a friend request and the person says they never received it, the most common reason is a typo in their username. Usernames are case-sensitive and must be exact. Ask them to copy and paste their username into a message so you can search for it exactly as it appears.

If you are using an older version of the Duolingo app, some features may not work properly. Update the app from your phone's app store or use the web version at duolingo.com instead. If the problem persists, try logging out and logging back in, or contact Duolingo support through the app's help menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone who does not have a Duolingo account yet?

No, you can only add people who already have a Duolingo account. If someone you want to add does not have one, they can read the app and create an account first. Once they do, you can search for them by username or send them a friend link.

Will someone know if I add them as a friend?

Yes, they will see a notification that you sent them a friend request. If you use the shareable link method, they are added automatically and will see you in their friends list. Either way, they will know you added them.

Can I see my friend's password or personal information?

No. When you add a friend, you can only see their username, display name, current streak, languages they are learning, and total XP. You cannot see their password, email, or any other personal information.

What if I accidentally blocked someone instead of removing them?

You can unblock them by going to your settings, finding the blocked users list, and selecting the person's name. Tap unblock and confirm. They will not be notified that you unblocked them, but they will not be re-added to your friends list — you will need to send a new friend request.

Do I have to add friends to keep my streak?

No. Your daily streak continues as long as you complete at least one lesson per day, whether or not you have friends. Adding friends is optional and only affects the social features of the app.