Duolingo lets you swap its standard green owl icon for dozens of alternatives right from the app itself
Duolingo's icon-changing feature is built into the app on both iPhone and Android. You do not need to read anything extra or use your phone's home screen settings. Open Duolingo, go to your profile, and you will find an "App Icon" option that shows all available designs. Tap the one you want, confirm the change, and it updates on your home screen when ready.
The feature works the same way on both platforms, though the menu path differs slightly. Most icon options are free, though some are unlocked by reaching certain milestones in your learning streak or by spending Duolingo gems (the in-app currency you earn or purchase).
Key Takeaways
- Duolingo's app icon options are found in your profile settings, not in your phone's home screen customization menu.
- Most alternative icons are free, but some require a learning streak milestone or Duolingo gems to unlock.
- On iPhone, go to Profile > Settings > App Icon; on Android, go to Profile > Settings > App Icon.
- The icon change takes effect when ready and shows on your home screen without restarting the app.
- You can switch back to the original green owl icon or any other unlocked option at any time.
How to change your icon on iPhone
Open the Duolingo app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. This takes you to your account page. Scroll down until you see "Settings" and tap it.
In the Settings menu, look for "App Icon" near the top of the list. Tap it to see all available icons. Each one shows whether it is free, locked behind a streak milestone, or costs gems. Tap the icon you want to use, then tap "Change App Icon" to confirm. Your home screen updates within seconds.
How to change your icon on Android
Open Duolingo and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap "Settings." Find "App Icon" in the settings menu and tap it.
You will see the same gallery of icons available on iPhone. Select the one you want and tap "Change App Icon" to explore it. The change appears on your home screen right away. If the icon you want is locked, the app will tell you exactly what you need to do to unlock it.
What icons are available and how to unlock them
Duolingo rotates its icon collection regularly, so the exact options change over time. At any given moment, you typically have between 15 and 25 choices, ranging from the standard green owl to seasonal designs, character variations, and special editions tied to holidays or learning milestones.
Free icons are available to everyone when ready. Some icons unlock when you reach a certain daily streak—for example, the gold owl might unlock at 100 days, or a special design at 365 days. Others cost gems, which you earn by completing lessons or can purchase with money. The app clearly labels each icon so you know what you need before you tap it.
Switching back to the original icon
You can change your icon as many times as you want. If you want to go back to the standard green owl, open your profile, go to Settings, tap App Icon, and select the original design. There is no penalty for switching, and you can do it as often as you like.
If you have unlocked multiple icons, they all stay unlocked. Switching between them does not cost gems or reset your streak. You are straightforward choosing which unlocked design appears on your home screen.
Troubleshooting icon changes that do not appear
If you change your icon in the app but it does not update on your home screen, try closing Duolingo completely and reopening it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom to close the app; on Android, swipe up from the bottom or use your recent apps menu. Then open Duolingo again.
If the icon still has not changed after a few seconds, restart your phone. This clears your phone's app cache and forces it to recognize the new icon. The change should appear after the restart. If you are still seeing the old icon after restarting, check that you actually tapped "Change App Icon" to confirm—sometimes the selection does not register on the first tap.
Why some icons are locked and how gems work
Duolingo locks certain icons behind streak milestones or gem costs to encourage consistent learning. A locked icon tied to a 100-day streak, for example, gives you a visual goal to work toward. Gems are Duolingo's in-app currency. You earn them by completing lessons, maintaining streaks, and finishing certain challenges. You can also buy gems with money, though this is optional.
If you want a gem-locked icon but do not want to spend money, you can earn gems by using the app regularly. A typical lesson gives you a few gems, and bonus challenges give more. It usually takes a few weeks of consistent use to save up enough gems for a premium icon, depending on how many gems it costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Duolingo icon without unlocking it first?
No. If an icon is locked, you cannot select it until you meet the requirement—either a streak milestone or enough gems. The app prevents you from tapping a locked icon, so you will know when ready which ones are available to you.
Do I lose my streak if I change my app icon?
No. Changing your icon has no effect on your learning streak, gems, or progress. It is purely a visual change to your home screen.
What happens to my unlocked icons if I uninstall Duolingo?
Your unlocked icons stay unlocked when you reinstall the app, as long as you log back into the same account. If you create a new account, you start with only the free icons and have to unlock the others again.
Can I use a custom icon that is not in Duolingo's gallery?
Not through Duolingo's built-in feature. On iPhone, you can create a custom app icon using the Shortcuts app, but this is separate from Duolingo's official icon-changing tool and requires more steps.
How often does Duolingo add new icons?
Duolingo adds new icons regularly, especially around holidays and special events. The exact schedule varies, but you will see new options appear in your App Icon menu when they are released.